Grenfell

Grenfell is a distinguished British clothing brand with a rich heritage rooted in innovation and craftsmanship. Their story begins in 1923, originating from the creation of the unique ‘Grenfell Cloth,’ a fabric designed to meet the demanding outerwear needs expressed by Sir Wilfred Grenfell, a British pioneer, philanthropist, and missionary doctor. Inspired by Sir Wilfred’s insight that clothing must be wind-proof yet breathable, Walter Haythornthwaite, son of a Burnley weaving mill owner, developed this ‘wonder-fabric,’ which became the foundation of the Grenfell brand. Over the decades, Grenfell’s cloth and garments earned global acclaim and were donned by British royalty, adventurers, racing drivers, aviatrixes, and style icons including Sir Malcolm Campbell, Sir Stirling Moss, Cary Grant, and Gregory Peck. The brand’s legacy is marked by remarkable milestones such as Sir Malcolm Campbell breaking the land speed record wearing Grenfell Cloth, Admiral Byrd’s North Pole flight outfitted in Grenfell flying suits, and Amelia Earhart’s historic solo transatlantic flight in a Grenfell flying suit. Grenfell also pioneered the all-weather golf jacket, producing styles that became synonymous with British sporting attire. Their garments accompanied expeditions to Mount Everest, supported British military efforts during World War II, and were chosen by Olympic ski teams who achieved gold and silver medals. The brand’s association with high-profile figures and events continued with Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay wearing Grenfell on their successful Everest summit, and Sir David Attenborough sporting the brand during his renowned mountain gorilla encounter for the Life on Earth series. The brand’s reputation for quality and performance led to a Royal Warrant in recognition of their service to the Royal Household. In recent years, Grenfell has returned to its British roots with a relaunch centred on East London manufacturing, combining its rich archive of iconic styles with contemporary designs known as ‘Modern Classics.’ This relaunch was honoured by the official opening of their East London factory by HRH The Princess Royal, reinforcing Grenfell’s standing as a pillar of British garment manufacturing. Grenfell’s identity is deeply intertwined with its heritage of innovation, technical excellence, and enduring style, all hallmarked by the original ‘wonder-fabric’ and a tradition of outfitting pioneers, explorers, and cultural icons. Their collections today continue to pay tribute to this legacy, embodying British design and craftsmanship at its finest.