About Us
Born in Scotland, Valerie Louthan learned haute couture flourishes such as hand stitching and finishing— a trademark of the Scottish-made contemporary cashmere classics she designs today— while designing for Paris couture houses. She began her own label, Valerie Louthan Designer Cashmeres, in 1972.
Her cashmeres originate from a handful of choice Scottish mills utilizing the longest, finest under-hair fibers of three to four carefully hand-combed Mongolian goats for a single sweater and up to seven for a cashmere wrap. Baby-skin softness characterizes her garments, each having been carefully hand-washed in exceptionally soft Scottish river waters.
Frequent trips to Scotland where Valerie hovers over her designs are always on the docket. She leapfrogs around the country with her husband, businessman, Ian Forsyth, a former Gordon Highlander, doing trunk shows where she personally presents her collection and has the pleasure of seeing longtime clients as well as meeting myriads of new ones.
Her client list reads like a Who’s Who, but this designer is discreet when it comes to naming the fans that regularly purchase her cashmeres in multiple colors and styles.“Inspiration takes many forms,” Valerie says, and is quick to credit her artfully adept brood of three fashion-forward daughters and film director son in Los Angeles— a synergy that keeps her on her creative toes.
Simply put, Valerie’s forte is teaming the timeless with the contemporary, resulting in elegant, seasonless designs with a fabulous fit.
