Q&A with Robert Lancaster Gaye, co-founder of Tradelinens

Sleeper caught up with Robert Lancaster Gaye, co-founder of Tradelinens, to discuss the company’s approach to design, most recent hospitality projects and plans for the future.

How did you get involved in the premium linen industry?

I had to choose between seven years of studying architecture or having a job with a textile wholesaler in South London, so I took the job. Having done that for 12 years, I left to run the UK operations for a weaver based in Ireland, before doing a similar role for Frette, and then eventually setting up Tradelinens with my colleague Joe Molloy. 

Can you describe the philosophy of Tradelinens?

Our whole ethos has always been to listen to people in the industry and gauge what they want. It sounds so simple, but what most companies do is have a warehouse full of textiles and sell them to clients. With all the hotels we supply, there are no two buying exactly the same, so our philosophy is to listen and design to fit their needs.

What role does linen play in the luxury guest experience?

The first thing anybody ever asks of a hotel is ‘did you have a good night’s sleep?’, so it’s massively important. There’s also been a shift towards sustainability as clients now look at the consequences of their purchasing decisions. We’ve been doing the Better Cotton Initiative for a couple of years and were the first to initiate it with our products, helping those growing and weaving the cotton to create something that is as green and carbon efficient as possible.

Tell us about some of your recent hospitality projects…

We are currently working with Dorchester Collection on two or three projects worldwide, as well as supplying Nobu and Soho House properties across the globe. Here in the UK, we’ve been lucky enough to be involved in Kimpton Fitzroy, The Ned and Belmond Cadogan, as well as The Fife Arms, Grantley Hall and most recently The Pig at Harlyn Bay.

What does the future hold for Tradelinens?

The legacy for me with Tradelinens is that it’s got a great attitude of looking forward and doing things correctly, both on a personal and ethical level, and that is what it will continue to do going forward. As a company, we’re gradually changing and morphing, looking at some of the products we sell, how it is packaged and who we are working with, but what we won’t do is rush into it. Things will be accurate, they’ll be correct, and they’ll stand the test of time.

www.tradelinens.co.uk

CREDITS:
Words: Ben Thomas
Photography: © Mark Sherratt