Harris Tweed sees surge in orders The lead producer of the iconic Harris tweed has seen orders for the famous fabric increase by 25% in the last year. Harris Tweed Hebrides, which has already been boasting a major rise in sales in recent years, said the 2013 figures create "a very strong platform for 2014" for the fabric, which has been donned by celebrities such as Madonna and former Dr Who Matt Smith. The Shawbost-based company, which was named UK Textile Company of the Year in 2013 as well as Scotland's Fashion Ambassador of the Year, accounts for around 90 per cent of Harris Tweed production. Chief executive Ian Angus MacKenzie, said: "We saw a big surge in orders late in the year which means that we now have a very strong platform for 2014 . We start from a better position than last year, which was itself pretty good. In the past, the ordering season did not really begin until into the New Year but we have managed to get the message across that ordering early is the best way of ensuring that demand can be met. It is good news for the weavers as we are now able to provide them with year-round work. You never know what lies ahead, of course, but the current order book means that the early months of 2014 are going to be extremely busy. International Meanwhile the company will continue its international marketing campaign with a presence at two major events in January. Chairman Brian Wilson and creative director Mark Hogarth are attending Pitti Uomo, the world's major menswear show, in Florence this week. Meanwhile marketing director, Margaret MacLeod, is heading for Paris later in the month for Maison et Objet, the leading interiors and accessories show. Mr Wilson, a former UK Trade Minister, said: "It is essential to keep opening up new markets and to work with existing clients, many of whom attend Pitti Uomo from all over the world. It is the first indicator of how they plan to use Harris Tweed in the year ahead, and an opportunity to discuss how we might work with them. Japan is still our major market but the exchange rate has moved against us there. It does not seem to be having much impact at present but it is a reminder of why we always need to seek diversification of both markets and sectors for our product. He said that interiors had been "a major growth area last year" and there were strong indications that this would continue into 2014. Harris Tweed Hebrides recently announced a £1 million investment programme including the acquisition of ten double-width looms which are being leased to weavers in order to bring new recruits into the industry. The firm is building on the recent success of the industry, which is enjoying its biggest boon for over 15 years. Harris Tweed Hebrides currently employ around 80 people and provides work for 140 home weavers in Lewis and Harris. The Harris Tweed Industry Forum announced last year that 2012 had been its best year for production of the cloth in nearly 15 years. The forum, set up to support the industry, consists of representatives from the Harris Tweed Authority, the Weavers Association, the Harris Tweed Mills, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Harris Tweed riding high in downtown Tokyo