This is the UK’s dedicated feed of news from clothing and footwear brands that manufacture here. We gather collection launches, factory and mill stories, and industry coverage from brand blogs, RSS feeds and a handful of trusted sources, then publish it in one place.
23 May 2017Kate Sheridan
Lovely Boo (aka Boudicca Fox-Leonard) from The Telegraph came to visit us in the studio recently to chat about craft, design and our popular Hex Making Class. The resulting article came out online and in paper form this Sunday and we absolutely love it. Take a peek at the pictures below and you can read the full article HERE
23 May 2017Kate Sheridan
Lovely Boo (aka Boudicca Fox-Leonard) from The Telegraph came to visit us in the studio recently to chat about craft, design and our popular Hex Making Class. The resulting article came out online and in paper form this Sunday and we absolutely love it. Take a peek at the pictures below and you can read the full article HERE
9 May 2017Kate Sheridan
Founded by Rosie Short and Fumie Kamijo, Bobby Dazzler creates wonderfully whimsical dolls from their attic studio in Brick Lane, East London. Each doll has a distinct personality and is completely one of a kind. You only need to look at their website to know that they're fun, unique and full of character! They also include a unique quote, a little window into your dolls past life and personality. We have a range of dolls available instore - a perfect present for a baby shower or to bring a little bit of humour into any room.
9 May 2017Kate Sheridan
Founded by Rosie Short and Fumie Kamijo, Bobby Dazzler creates wonderfully whimsical dolls from their attic studio in Brick Lane, East London. Each doll has a distinct personality and is completely one of a kind. You only need to look at their website to know that they're fun, unique and full of character! They also include a unique quote, a little window into your dolls past life and personality. We have a range of dolls available instore - a perfect present for a baby shower or to bring a little bit of humour into any room.
26 April 2017Kate Sheridan
Yesterday we hosted another of our Hex Making Workshops, where customers get a chance to create their very own bag. The group was a lovely bunch and we had a great evening filled with chatter, prosecco, treats and leather work. As always, we love seeing how well everyones colour choices suits them in the end, and great to see people having a play with embossing their initials on or choosing a more daring colour pop! From edge staining, holing, hammering, grooving, hand cutting and final assembly- our crafters picked it up quickly and their Hex Bags looked amazing! If you are interested in our workshops, they are available HERE and more dates will be added continuesly.
26 April 2017Kate Sheridan
Yesterday we hosted another of our Hex Making Workshops, where customers get a chance to create their very own bag. The group was a lovely bunch and we had a great evening filled with chatter, prosecco, treats and leather work. As always, we love seeing how well everyones colour choices suits them in the end, and great to see people having a play with embossing their initials on or choosing a more daring colour pop! From edge staining, holing, hammering, grooving, hand cutting and final assembly- our crafters picked it up quickly and their Hex Bags looked amazing! If you are interested in our workshops, they are available HERE and more dates will be added continuesly.
18 April 2017Kate Sheridan
Whilst on holiday in picturesque Cornwall, we visited a wonderful exhibition at the Tate Museum in St Ives. Featuring artist, Jessica Warboys, the large-scale paintings were inspired by pagan history and folklore, as well as mythology and landscape. Jessica's paintings are created by placing mineral pigments on to the canvas and then submerging it into the sea, allowing the waves to 'paint' the canvas. This is such an interesting technique and creates such stunning results, with a lovely, deam-like feel. This exhibition is on until the 3rd of September and well worth a visit if you're in the area! Other exhibitions included a collection of ceramic works from many different potters and artists such as Bernard Leach. The exhibition spans 100 years of studio pottery, with many different subjects such as the relationship between Japan and the UK from the 1910's to the 40's. A friend of mine, who is a curator at the museum, has created a room called 'the clayground' inviting kids to play with the clay get involved with creating... what a lovely way to get children excited about art! ...A wonderful day out for the whole family!
18 April 2017Kate Sheridan
Whilst on holiday in picturesque Cornwall, we visited a wonderful exhibition at the Tate Museum in St Ives. Featuring artist, Jessica Warboys, the large-scale paintings were inspired by pagan history and folklore, as well as mythology and landscape. Jessica's paintings are created by placing mineral pigments on to the canvas and then submerging it into the sea, allowing the waves to 'paint' the canvas. This is such an interesting technique and creates such stunning results, with a lovely, deam-like feel. This exhibition is on until the 3rd of September and well worth a visit if you're in the area! Other exhibitions included a collection of ceramic works from many different potters and artists such as Bernard Leach. The exhibition spans 100 years of studio pottery, with many different subjects such as the relationship between Japan and the UK from the 1910's to the 40's. A friend of mine, who is a curator at the museum, has created a room called 'the clayground' inviting kids to play with the clay get involved with creating... what a lovely way to get children excited about art! ...A wonderful day out for the whole family!
14 April 2017ROVE Knitwear
Thoughts about routine and exercise as it has become part of the motivation behind running a small business and staying creative. 4 reasons we love to run
1 April 2017Grenfell
Why do you do, what you do? I’ve always had a passion for style and quality. When I started traveling to the UK and the US as a young man I was fascinated by individual stores in London, NY, LA and SF. Especially the old Banana Republic store near Union Square in San Francisco it was a key experience to me, as well as my first visit to Ralph Lauren in Manhattan. ‘Travel’ and ‘Adventure’ meeting ‘Fashion’ are the keywords. Nowadays it is hard to find individual stores offering merchandise besides mainstream. All of these things brought me to open my own store. What brings you to the Grenfell brand? My friend Fred (laughing). I love the workmanship and the final details of the company and the undiscovered treasure of the brand. It gives the feeling of a Gentlemen's Travel and Adventure wardrobe on high quality What are you looking for? Have you ever found it? I am always looking for any brands with a love for detail and great product performance,which is why we’re very close with Grenfell. I am always looking for the perfect pants, shirts and accessories, to compliment what we have in-store. What are you looking for now? I am looking for Spring to have more time for my cycle passion! What was the best advice that you have been given? Be authentic. If you’re ever in Munich we urge you to stop by and see the gentlemen in store.
24 March 2017Grenfell
Last weekend we had the honour of attending the historical Goodwood 75th Members’ Meeting. Set up to be another fantastic weekend full of atmosphere and camaraderie, it did not disappoint. We were treated to a plethora of delights with all our senses attuned; sounds of full-bore engines racing around a track, the scent of two-stroke motorcycle engines wafting through the cold March air and, not to mention, the sheer number of beautiful machinery on display dating back to the Edwardian times. Simply stunning. The Members’ Meeting is a more stripped back affair – all motorsport and less pomp. We were delighted to be exhibiting our wares at the Goodwood circuit – motor racing is in our DNA after all. There’s something very special in the air down there, all a good mix of cheer and engine oil. We'll be back at the next event and we'd love to see you down there, but for this year here are some snaps so you can live through us vicariously.
5 March 2017Pajotten
The Pajotten story began in Christmas of 2016.I made my partner Ben a jacket, it was a kitchen table copy of a workwear denim jacket he had worn for years and it was falling apart – when I cut the pattern I copied what the jacket had become rather than what it looked like originally, the sleeves had become slightly twi
28 February 2017Risdon & Risdon
Hi! I’m Carla Risdon, founder of Risdon & Risdon, the business I run with my two sons Alex and James. The journey to creating this family company started a long time ago in the 1980’s when I chose travel over a career! Aged 18 I decided it was time to see more of the world…Italy to Singapore, Egypt to Indonesia and plenty of places in between. After spending several years in Australia, I became a Mum to 3 beautiful children and properly settled back in Shropshire when I was 30. That early wanderlust hadn’t done my career opportunities any good though and finding a decent job kept proving to be impossible. What I did have however, was my sewing machine…and so at 45, with the children grown up, and having earned money from sewing throughout, I knew it was time to start my own business. Why aprons? I had seen different aprons during my travels, the people who wore them and the enterprising jobs they did. I wanted to make a very British apron: something that was craftsman built, comfortable, practical and stylish. Design-led but with a traditional feel. I decided to call upon the help of my sons. Alex turned out to be a natural with leather design and together with James, we designed the brand and themed the photography. Not to be outdone the image of my daughter Amber, with knife in hand, taking a bite out of an apple and wearing one of our aprons has been the brand’s signature image since the start. In 2017 we became Risdon & Risdon Ltd. Our biggest motivation is helping to share creativity – we really believe individuals and society are much happier and healthier for it. With their apron, we hope people feel a greater sense of purpose and achievement in the work they do. An apron is often an additional part of their tool kit – it is the start and the end of a job - it’s what connects people to their passion. Owning an apron that has seen you through every learning curve, every success and failure, and has been on a journey with you is extremely gratifying and brings a huge sense of pride.
9 January 2017ROVE Knitwear
This January you can find us popping up at The Corner Shop in Clerkenwell with Craft Central. For one week only this little shop will be full to the brim of knitted accessories and home wares, you will find the full current collection as well as one of a kind samples and a selection of sale items while stocks last. Vis
31 December 2016Grenfell
Like so much of the Grenfell brand, it’s visual iconography is rooted in deep story and myth. The aesthetic centre of Grenfell is the majestic griffin. It is rare to find a brand that has such a strong visual symbol representing it’s DNA. Over the years, as happens with many monuments, landmarks and statues, they become softened and eroded by the passage of time. They lose their sharpness, precision and power. So it had been with the Grenfell griffin, until we instigated a major refurbishment over a year ago. So, as part of this process we went right back to it’s origins, in an archeological manner. It was not a surprise to find that the griffin, just like the name of the brand itself, stemmed from the founding inspiration, Sir Wilfred Grenfell. The brave pioneer of Newfoundland and Labrador who had as a philanthropist doctor, almost by accident founded a global clothing phenomena. The griffin was a key part of his Grenfell family crest. The Grenfells were originally a noble family of Cornish origins in the rugged coastline of South-West England. A place where people are known for their fortitude and resilience. The image below also shows the family crest, including the inscription ‘Loyal Devoir’, or Loyal Duty. Indeed there is no better encapsulation of how Sir Grenfell led his life. Yet the griffin is the most powerful of mythical beasts, combining the king of the land beasts, the Lion, with the king of the air creatures, the Eagle. A force to be reckoned with especially in the more aggressive, or rampant pose, front leg raised. Although, in the Grenfell heraldic crest the beast holds what appears to be an olive branch in it’s mouth. As with Sir Wilfred, it comes very much in peace. Do not however see the Grenfells as a soft touch, the presence of the three clarions are there to symbolize that they are ‘ready for war’. The very finest example of a Grenfell crest was to be found as a bookplate. This example, seen below, shows additions capturing aspects from Sir Grenfell’s colourful life. It includes at the very top his hospital ship, the Strathcona, a vessel that brought salvation to so many. It is also prominently flanked by two of his sled dogs, dogs that allowed him to travel wide and far across the snowy wastes to help others. But these were also the very same dogs that gave the greatest of sacrifices, that of their lives, so that he could survive the night on an ice flow that was drifting out to sea, but we will save that story for another day! The final image is that of the redrawn Grenfell griffin, as it now proudly appears and adorns our garments, testament to the rich history that lies behind each garment.
23 September 2016Grenfell
Last night saw a stylish gathering at J.Simons, 46 Chiltern Street, Marylebone, London W1. It was in honour of the Grenfell Golfer jacket which has been re-launched for Autumn Winter 16; now again resplendent in a veritable rainbow of colours. In the Grenfell collection from the early days, the Golfer jacket emerged in 1931 as the first all-weather golfing jacket. It has over the decades become iconic, gracing the backs of world-class golfers (Sir Henry Cotton & numerous Ryder Cup teams) and a world-class fashion crowd. It was the precursor to the Harrington style, which didn’t emerge until the late 1930’s; and became as we all know a favourite style of Steve McQueen and Elvis Presley. The Golfer and Harrington jackets have always been made by us in our legendary Grenfell cloth, to ensure lightness yet toughness.Partnering with John Simons was perfect, as John has stocked Grenfell over the years and he was the style leader who named and established the ‘Harrington’ jacket in honour of Ryan O’Neal’s TV character - an early famed ‘Harrington’ wearer. John opened his first store in Richmond in the summer of 1964, he is a true gentleman pioneer of London’s fashion retail. He is credited with creating the Ivy League preppy look for the UK. Many brands have made the Harrington style over the years, and it’s now a wardrobe staple. If you want one with a pioneering story and authenticity - Grenfell is the choice.Many new and old fans of the brand turned out to salute the event, including Mark Wilsmore from The Ace Cafe, Marcus Ross, founder of Jocks&Nerds, gentlemen and Lady Sarah from The Rake, photographers, designers and craftspeople from the clothing trade. Plus Peter Howarth, famed former editor of Arena & Esquire now embracing all forms of new media, along with Marcus (Chic Geek), Gary Kingsworth (The Style King blog/Coach mag fashion dir.) and Dan Hasby-Oliver (Last Style of Defence blog). All in all a splendid night - that we must do again.
21 September 2016Gushlow & Cole
The Gushlow and Cole Autumn Winter 16 collection is an urban yet elegant take on traditional British shearling design.
16 September 2016Grenfell
A big part of everybody’s attendance is about the re-connection with our collective past achievements, and all serenaded by the Hurricanes, Spitfires and Mustangs. It is about the ‘uniques’, such as the only …flying Bristol Blenheim bomber, and so on. Surely it is the biggest sartorial fest of substance…the real. It is all about the detail, and a curation of the enduring best of the best - all started in the creative mind of Lord March. As such it encourages people to don their finery to enter this rarified world Whilst we also showcased our current contemporary collection alongside our classic icons, this is largely about stepping into yesteryear. Our stand in the market area allows for great interactions. These included meeting another pioneer from back in the day, gents from Syston Park, a former pre-WWII racing venue in Lincolnshire, UK. Their current efforts are re-establishing this fantastic racing heritage which includes the testing of ERA cars, as well as use by Oxford & Cambridge’s Varsity Motor Racing enthusiasts. These gents were, of course, suitably attired, most notably with a ‘Watchlet’, which I had not seen before. Developed in WWI, it was a leather wrist case to affix one’s fob watch (see picture). Our conversation then turned to one of the gentlemen’s long duster style, car coat...an heirloom inherited from his grandfather. This unbeknowingly turned out to be ‘Made exclusively for Austin Reed of Regent Street from Grenfell Cloth Reg.d’. It had been rendered sodden (again see pics) under Saturday’s downpours, but nonetheless it was still working hard to keep the underjacket dry! Many other vintage pieces emerged including a Golfer jacket that had been resurrected, having been serving as an oil trap under a garaged classic car. Now lovingly brought back to life and featuring on the back of one of Octane magazine’s contributors. A possible future article in this very story! Other notable meetings were with Brough Superior Motorcycles and the family-owned Aero Leather Jacket company from Scotland.All in all another glorious weekend and a befitting final hurrah of summer. Everyone leaves wondering “were things better then?”, and “what can I bring from the past into my present”.
12 September 2016Kate Sheridan
Temperatures are just starting to drop and we'll soon be saying bye to sandals and floaty dresses for the year. Luckily colder weather means more opportunities to wear our new ranges of waxed cotton outerwear featuring soft, warming flannels. Silky hair on hide 'pony' and high shine metallics are perfect for fun Autumn nights- we are ready! Have a look at our new collection - all available in store and online now!
12 September 2016Kate Sheridan
Temperatures are just starting to drop and we'll soon be saying bye to sandals and floaty dresses for the year. Luckily colder weather means more opportunities to wear our new ranges of waxed cotton outerwear featuring soft, warming flannels. Silky hair on hide 'pony' and high shine metallics are perfect for fun Autumn nights- we are ready! Have a look at our new collection - all available in store and online now!
12 August 2016Cherchbi
Regular readers cast your mind back to a July 2013 post in which in which we waxed lyrical about cheesemaker Julie Cheyney and her wonderful raw milk cheese, St Jude. If you're an irregular reader or simply don't recall this post then read it here. Julie has become a much-valued customer, her purchases linked directly to the successes of St Jude; a Norwich Satchel for founding St Jude, then a Tablet Sleeve for winning the James Aldridge Trophy for Best British Raw Milk Cheese. Further congratulations are now due as Julie has won the award again with St Cera, a washed rind version of St Jude. Her triptych of Cherchbi waxed leather goods is completed with a suitably embossed Docket Zip Pouch, now winging its way from workshop to White Wood Diary. Many congratulations again Julie.
11 July 2016The Croft House
I thought that a behind the scenes photo of our new collection photoshoot would give a taster of what's to come. Despite the monsoon-like rain that we have been having here in the North East of Scotland for the last few weeks, we managed to get out to the beautiful dunes of Balmedie beach for our Autumn-Winter 2016 ph
13 June 2016Kate Sheridan
June 13, 2016 Last week we welcomed customers to our first workshop where they were guided through making their very own Hex Bag. We had a lovely time seeing their process from selecting of colours, edgestaining, hand cutting and final assembly. We laughed and chatted our way through a few glasses of wine and enjoyed the creativity and enthusiasm from everyone. It was particularily nice to see so much variety, proving how versatile this style really is. While some chose their favourite colour combinations, others went for bolder punched hole patterns, metallic pops and striking hand painted colour contrasts. Some also stamped their design with a name or initials - a nice little personal touch. In the end- everyone went away with a new bag made with so much creativity and we loved how much each suited their maker. The next class will take place on Thursday June 30th, 6.30pm-9pm £180. You can sign up for it here.
13 June 2016Kate Sheridan
June 13, 2016 Last week we welcomed customers to our first workshop where they were guided through making their very own Hex Bag. We had a lovely time seeing their process from selecting of colours, edgestaining, hand cutting and final assembly. We laughed and chatted our way through a few glasses of wine and enjoyed the creativity and enthusiasm from everyone. It was particularily nice to see so much variety, proving how versatile this style really is. While some chose their favourite colour combinations, others went for bolder punched hole patterns, metallic pops and striking hand painted colour contrasts. Some also stamped their design with a name or initials - a nice little personal touch. In the end- everyone went away with a new bag made with so much creativity and we loved how much each suited their maker. The next class will take place on Thursday June 30th, 6.30pm-9pm £180. You can sign up for it here.
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