Company founded in 1784 and was originally known as William Hollins & Co. The name Viyella came about due to the creation of a new fabric which contained a blend of merino wool and cotton, developed by James and Robert Sissons. Viyella was registered as a trade mark in 1894, making it the first branded fabric in the world. The name Viyella is derived from the name of a road near Matlock, where Hollins & Co acquired a mill for the early production of Viyella, in 1890.

Viyella International Ltd became a company due to a merger in 1961. The company continued to expand, acquiring factories across the United Kingdom. The name changed to Carrington Viyella a few years later.