John Smedley

John Smedley is the world's oldest manufacturing factory, established in 1784. The factory is located in Lea Mills, Derbyshire, and has been producing high-quality knitwear for over 230 years. Initially, the factory produced simple muslin fabric and spun cotton, but later moved on to producing complex garments using one of the first fully fashioned knitting machines, including the original "Long Johns". Over the years, John Smedley has become one of Britain's most famous clothing brands, exporting to various countries around the world. The brand gained popularity in the 1950s and 60s, with celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and the Beatles wearing their garments. By the 1980s, the brand became the go-to knitwear brand for British designers, including Dame Vivienne Westwood and Sir Paul Smith. In the year 2000, John Smedley opened its first store on Brook Street in Mayfair, London, and in 2012, the brand presented at London Collections: Men, the first-ever British Men's Fashion Week. The following year, the brand was granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment as a "Manufacturer of Fine Knitwear" by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, demonstrating their trusted quality. John Smedley continues to innovate, with recent successes such as the relaunch of their women's wear line at London Fashion Week in 2015 and the launch of their contemporary unisex capsule collection 'Singular,' the first-ever unisex knitwear collection launched in the UK. The brand is proud to have "Made in England" on every garment they produce, which is a testament to their commitment to quality craftsmanship. John Smedley's iconic style spans across their Mainline Collection, including their best-selling polo shirt, which has remained unchanged since 1932, to their recent unisex capsule 'Singular'. They strive to produce high-quality garments with a contemporary look that will stand the test of time. If any goods are received damaged or if a manufacturing fault occurs within six months of purchase, John Smedley will consider them faulty and offer to repair them.