Ocean threads

Designed in Cornwall and traditionally made in the British Isles, Atlantic Blankets are consciously crafted and inspired by the coast.

A luxurious blanket is an investment for life, and with many of us now embracing outdoor dining and socialising, the blanket has come of age. Whether to add to the social fabric of your home or as a wearable blanket to envelop you in warmth and comfort against the elements, blankets blur the lines between form and function. Atlantic Blankets’ collection of wool, cotton and fleece blankets is woven with respect for, and inspired by, the environment.

Founder Gemma Teague’s journey into retail began while balancing family life with a career in marketing. “I wanted to build something that truly reflected my values – a brand rooted in the beauty of the coast I grew up loving and a way to give back to the environment that inspires me.” Together with her partner Alistair, who brings his expertise in interior design, they channel their passion for the sea into crafting blankets that bring comfort while caring for the coast.

“The sea is hugely important to me and is how I balance work and life.”

For Gemma, building a family business that supports them personally while connecting with a community that shares their values has been her proudest achievement. “Our blankets are part of people’s lives, their stories and their homes. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our community grow and know that we’re making a positive impact locally by supporting coastal wellbeing and sustainability. Growing up by the shore has given me a lifelong connection to the ocean’s calm and beauty. That connection shapes everything we do, from sustainable sourcing to protecting the Penhale Dunes as proud Guardians.”

“When we took on the business originally, we were very much a reseller of blankets, whereas we’ve now built up the business so that we’re working directly with the mills and makers and the partnerships we have with them allow us to create all our own designs and to have products made specifically for us. We carefully choose recycled and natural fibres to create blankets designed to last. By focusing on quality and longevity, Atlantic Blankets is able to reduce waste and offer comfort that stays for years.”

Sustainability is very much at the fore of Atlantic Blankets, with every order helping to remove 10 ocean-bound plastic bottles from our seas, thanks to a partnership with GoodAPI and Plastic Bank. “We believe in the power of the sea to restore and inspire,” adds Gemma. “That’s why we have chosen to support wellbeing close to home, from giving our team dedicated Sea Days to recharge by the ocean, to offering opportunities for women to build confidence and connection through Sharing the Ocean. As proud Guardians of Penhale Dunes and active members of the SAS 250 community, we also help to protect this unique coastal habitat and promote sustainable care for our shores.”

Gemma and Alistair work as a team, both designing blankets. Alistair’s background brings designs which are structural – lots of straight lines and stripes and a palette of neutral greys. Whereas Gemma’s designs are more fluid and incorporate wider colour spectrums. Gemma decided very early on that they wanted the blankets to be British-made, reflecting Britain’s weaving heritage. They first chose a family-run mill for its excellent and consistent quality, and the second when they were looking to add a collection of sustainable blankets made from recycled yarns to the brand. They have now worked with their two main suppliers for over seven years, building up strong relationships and a tested supply chain.

All cotton blankets are made using 100% recycled cotton, while wool in its very nature is extremely durable and highly sustainable. Consequently, animal welfare is also a priority, with organic and recycled, non-mulesed wool only being sourced from certified farms in the UK (or New Zealand, if we’ve had a particularly harsh winter). “In an ideal world, we’d use nothing but natural fibres. In reality, recycled wool and cotton contain a small amount of viscose and acrylic; it’s key to the integrity of the materials, helping maintain form and durability,” adds Gemma. “So, in our blankets, the synthetic blend comes from recycled T-shirts. Our ambition for the future, though, is to use marine waste instead. The technology exists but, unfortunately right now, it’s not easily sourced in the UK. The moment it is, we’ll incorporate it into our production and take another small step toward the long-term stability of
our oceans.”

While foreign imports might cost less than an Atlantic Blanket, these often poorly-made products are produced through unethical practices and toxic processes. Gemma believes that throw-away fashion and the negative impact of consumerism have caused priceless skills and mills to be threatened, which is why Atlantic Blankets stands firm on its stance. The result is slowly woven, beautiful and durable blankets built to last.

Collections were initially theme-based, but have increasingly been focused on limited editions. A special collaboration released this summer has seen Atlantic Blankets partner with The Tate to create a limited-edition blanket featuring Tracey Emin’s artwork from her exhibition A Second Life at Tate Modern. Featuring Emin’s much-loved cats, Teacup and Pancake, the expressive lines of her artwork have been translated into woven form and finished with her signature. Made in England from recycled cotton, the blanket has a rich, durable texture and is designed to be used and loved every day. A Second Life is Emin’s largest retrospective to date, spanning painting, sculpture, textiles, neon, video and installation and this blanket offers a rare opportunity to take home a tangible connection to the exhibition.
Available exclusively through the Tate during the exhibition, these blankets are produced in a strictly limited edition.

As well as selling online and supplying boutique shops across Cornwall, the wider UK and the US, Atlantic Blankets has shops in Perrranporth and St Ives. The Perranporth shop can be found on the walkway to the beach and, while small, is beautifully designed, showcasing the full range on floor-to-ceiling shelves, creating a kaleidoscope of colour. Market Place in
St Ives sees a tranquil space beautifully showcasing the blankets across two large areas: “We often find that visitors will buy a blanket in our St Ives shop, fall in love with it so much during their stay that they stop off in Perranporth on their way home to buy another!”

Gemma has Cornwall and the sea in her soul: “The sea is hugely important to me and is how I balance work and life. Surfing is a massive, powerful part of my life and I have a really close friendship group, who all share the same love for the sea; it’s where we connect, have fun and catch up for a giggle. I do get stressed, but if I go and look at the sea, I can feel instantly calmer.” It was for such moments of calm and thoughts of wellbeing that led Gemma to launch their Hug in Box during lockdown, which has since become a key seller and includes the blanket of your choice, a locally made candle and bar of chocolate.

And a final piece of advice from Gemma… “Find your own ‘sea’ – that passion or place that brings you peace and inspiration. Embrace the journey, take risks and dream big. Life’s richest stories come from following your heart.”

ATLANTIC BLANKETS
www.atlanticblankets.com