Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi, I’m Sophie Platts—a Yorkshire girl, mum of two boys, and a self-confessed ex-bad sleeper. I founded luxury British wool bedding brand, Floks, from my kitchen table two years ago.

How and why did you start Floks?

I’ve always been a light sleeper, but by the end of 2019, I was really struggling both physically and mentally. I’d just had our youngest son, and a combination of hormones and lack of sleep was causing me anxiety. I’ve always kept a heavy wool blanket at the end of the bed and found myself constantly pulling it over me for comfort. This sparked my curiosity, and after some research, I realised weighted blankets were a growing trend at the time—probably for similar reasons. I began looking into the bigger picture: what we sleep on and under, and what we’re breathing in. That’s what led me to wool bedding. From that moment, I knew I wanted to create something with wool that would help people get a better night’s sleep, in a sustainable way.

Do you have a team working alongside you? How do you juggle being a parent and a business owner?

I now have a small team of brilliant mums from the local area (I live in North Yorkshire) who each bring unique skills to the business. They believe in the products and in the future of the brand. No two days are the same, so their adaptability has been invaluable. For the first 18 months, it was just me—it was definitely challenging juggling motherhood and building a business. My boys have had to get used to sharing me with Floks, and that does weigh on me, but my family is always my top priority.

What motivates you?

I’m genuinely passionate about helping people sleep better so they can be the best version of themselves. The world would be a happier, healthier place if we all got more sleep. Plus, as a young mum, I feel a responsibility to help reverse the damage we’ve done to the planet. Wool and other regenerative natural fibres aren’t the only solution, but they’re a huge step in the right direction. From a personal perspective, I’m also incredibly motivated by our customer feedback. We’re fortunate to have over 50 five-star reviews on Trustpilot in the past few months—it’s so rewarding to know we’re making a difference, and I hope we can help many more people in the future.

Where does your interest in British wool come from?

My grandfather worked in the wool and textile trade, grading wool in the 1960s and ’70s, so I guess it’s in my blood. When I started researching, I was horrified to learn that British wool was being burned because its market price was so low. Floks uses only the finest British Cheviot wool from certified farms. We’re part of the British Wool Traceability scheme, so we can trace our wool right back to specific farms. This provenance, combined with the fact we manufacture everything in the UK—keeping our carbon footprint low—is central to our brand DNA, and it really resonates with our customers. Why send bales of wool overseas when we have an abundance of raw material and skill right here? The result is a range of luxury British wool bedding designed to help you sleep your best, in a fully sustainable way.

Does the area where you live influence your work?

Absolutely. We live and work in North Yorkshire, one of the key areas for sheep farming in the UK, so we’re surrounded by these wonderful animals all year round. Yorkshire has a rich heritage of wool processing and textile manufacturing, while just over the border in Lancashire, there’s a deep history in cotton. It’s the perfect setting for a bedding business that combines both natural fibres. Plus, we live in a cold, old house, so a warm winter duvet is essential!

Tell us about your wool duvets. What are the benefits of choosing wool over, say, goose down?

Wool is a brilliant natural fibre and the perfect filling for bedding. It’s weightier than down or synthetic fibres, but it’s thermoregulating—it keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter, adjusting your body temperature by up to three degrees. Overheating or being too cold is one of the main reasons for disrupted sleep, especially for children who can’t regulate their body temperature or women going through menopause. We can even make bespoke duvets for those with specific requirements.

Wool is also antimicrobial, making it ideal for people with asthma or eczema. It’s sustainable because it grows back every year, and it’s fully biodegradable—wool bedding decomposes in months, even enriching the soil. That’s a big deal considering duvets and pillows are major contributors to landfill waste in the UK. We combine this beautiful wool with certified organic cotton, handcrafting each duvet under one roof in Yorkshire for a luxurious, lofty finish.

Do you work with specific breeds or flocks of sheep—and are any of them Scottish?

We exclusively use British Cheviot wool because it’s one of the brightest, cleanest, softest wools available from British breeds. It has a natural crimp that’s perfect for bedding. As part of the British Wool Traceability scheme, we know that at least one of the farms we work with is Scottish—Kintradwell, just north of Beauly.

Speaking of wool, what would you look for in your dream piece of Scottish knitwear?

I live in knitwear—I have so many favourite designs, from intarsias to Fair Isles. But my dream piece of knitwear would, of course, be from Campbell’s of Beauly and made from British wool. It would have to be a perfect emerald green shade—that’s my go-to colour, as my boys remind me almost daily!