Sheepskin is the hide of a sheep with the wool still attached. When processed as leather, the skin side provides a leather surface while the wool remains as a soft insulating layer on the other side. Sheepskin is therefore distinct from sheep leather, where the wool has been removed, and from shearling, a term commonly used for sheepskin prepared with the wool intact and the leather side finished for use in garments and accessories.

Denim is a sturdy woven fabric traditionally made with a cotton twill construction, recognisable by its characteristic diagonal weave. It usually has a darker warp and lighter weft, creating the familiar contrast seen in classic denim, although modern versions can vary considerably in colour and weight. Unlike plain-weave fabrics such as canvas, denim has a clearly visible diagonal structure. The name denim is generally linked to the French phrase serge de Nîmes, meaning serge from Nîmes, while the related word jeans is associated with Genoa: Gênes was the French name for the Italian city, and a sturdy fabric associated with Genoa was known as jean. The two terms originally referred to related but distinct textiles and later became closely associated with the blue cotton trousers we know today. In the nineteenth century, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis helped establish riveted denim work trousers in the United States, turning the fabric into the foundation of the modern blue jean.

Founded in Britain in 1970, Jigsaw combines contemporary design with an emphasis on craftsmanship and quality fabrics. The brand works with its own atelier and produces many collections in limited runs, with a focus on distinctive pieces rather than high-volume fashion. Jigsaw also has a longstanding connection with British arts and culture through its Art Foundation.