Crombie

Crombie is one of the oldest brands in the world, with a legacy that began in Scotland in 1805. Founded by John Crombie, the brand started as a cloth mill at Cothal on the banks of the River Don, quickly earning a reputation for the exceptional quality of its cloth in natural colours, inspired by the Scottish Hills. Their expertise in tweeds, tartans, wool, cashmere, and vicuna set them apart from the outset. John Crombie’s belief in the unmatched quality of his cloth led him to travel by horse to London, where he introduced his fine Scottish textiles to the finest Royal tailors. These tailors embraced and highly valued Crombie’s cloth, helping the brand rise to prominence as the most eminent Scottish mill. Crombie’s reputation soon spread internationally, and the Grandholm Mill on the banks of the River Don in Aberdeen became the largest and most famous mill in the UK. In the early 1800s, Thomas Glover, known as the Scottish Samurai, represented Crombie in Japan, introducing the Japanese to their fine cloth. Glover became friends with the Emperor, and Crombie became the first western brand to achieve significant recognition in Japan. Glover’s legacy extended beyond fashion, as he became a founder of the Mitsubishi Corporation and inspired the story of Madame Butterfly. Crombie’s global demand was so great that even during the siege of Paris, a customer sent a letter by hot-air balloon to the Crombie office in London, seeking assurance of his prized cloth delivery. The Crombie coat became a symbol of prestige, with tailors using Crombie labels on bespoke coats, and customers demanding a “real” Crombie. The brand’s influence was so profound that the Oxford Dictionary added “Crombie” as a term to designate a type of overcoat, jacket, or similar garment made by J&J Crombie Ltd. Crombie’s ready-to-wear clothing was embraced by the military and new generations, and their coats became a staple for Hollywood film stars, presidents, heads of state, and the Royal Family. The brand holds a unique place in British youth culture, notably through The Beatles, who wore Crombie coats as a sign of success in 1964. The aspiration to own a genuine Crombie has remained a rite of passage, from the Soho Mods of the 1960s to the 1970s suede-heads, the 1980s 2-Tone movement, and beyond. Crombie has held warrants for many members of the royal family and was awarded the Royal Warrant by HRH The Prince of Wales in the 1990s. In the 2000s, the brand introduced Spring Summer collections and expanded into accessories, leather goods, rainwear, and sportswear, sold in the best department stores worldwide. In 2022, under new custodians, Crombie continues to uphold the legacy established by John Crombie, offering the best quality coats and clothing collections internationally.