The Boys are Back in Town
With just six weeks to go there are only 14 spaces left available at Best of Britannia and we are welcoming some fantastic brands on board. Albam, Brooks England, Lavenham, London Tradition, Pantherella and Sock Club London are all joining us for the first time and we are over the moon to be able to announce more big names next week so hold onto your proverbial hats (pardon the pun).
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Brooks
Originally founded by John Boultbee Brooks in 1866 with just £20 JB Brooks & Co became known and respected for its beautiful leather handcrafted saddles, and soon began to make cycle and motorcycle bags and other accessories. Traditional techniques in saddlemaking were passed down from generation to generation of craftsmen until in 1962 Brooks became part of Raleigh and moved to their current works in Smethwick in the West Midlands. In the last decade the company has been reborn as Brooks England following a new course that honours the company’s heritage and reviving the original slogan “Saddles, Bags Etc” and introduced a range of cycle bags, each named after a London or UK location and a range of cycling attire. Brooks have recently opened a flagship Brooks B1866 Covent Garden Store and have produced limited edition denim saddles in collaboration with Levi’s and limited edition yellow saddles and accoutrements to mark the Yorkshire starting point of this year’s Tour De France.
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Lavenham
Lavenham was founded in 1969 in the same-named village of Lavenham in Suffolk initially manufacturing the first nylon quilted horse rug, closely followed by matching quilted jackets and waistcoats for the esteemed and sartorially aware rider and country-phile. The Lavenham way has always been based around in-house, from the quilting to final inspection, overseeing every stage of production meticulously. All facets are controlled in house to ensure fluency and consistency in design and delivery. Lavenham is proud of its traditional English designs and methods of manufacture, and they source and use the best British materials, wherever possible, to make Lavenham products truly British.
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London Tradition
London Tradition was founded in 2001 by 2 partners, each with more than 25 years’ experience in the clothing industry, and both with extensive experience in the specialist area of unlined garments. The objective was to build a brand which would be famous for its products, synonymous with quality, value for money and design flair. Now, London Tradition supplies a portfolio of retailers known worldwide for their quality and luxury, and who demand the highest standards from their suppliers.
London Tradition believe that only the best quality will constantly bring customers back and this forms the basis of their entire philosophy. For the Winter season, wool rich double-face fabrics with the traditional check inner are sourced from Italy, whilst the classic and luxurious pure new wool Elysian is from an English mill whose origins date back more than two centuries. These fabrics afford excellent protection from the cold, as well as being superbly fashionable. Lighter weight cottons and linens are utilised for the Spring season giving excellent comfort and usability. Trims are also of the highest quality, from the leather thongs and real horn toggles on duffle coats to the best zips and buttons.
Manufacture of the garments is, of course, equally important and is a blend of English craftsmanship of many years’ experience, often using hand finishing, and quality machinery which supports the attention to detail demanded by their customers. London Tradition specialises in the production of duffles, pea coats, quilts and raincoats employing some 50 people in its London factory and producing around 1000 garments a week using traditional methods which result in a quality product time after time.
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Albam
James Shaw & Alastair Rae started Albam with the belief that clothes should make you look great, get better with age, and be great value. They choose the finest fabrics and trims, make them in factories that have generations of expertise and skill and then show them to you in their own Albam stores in central London and online. All of this is sprinkled with the influences that they have gained that make each item uniquely an Albam garment.
Albam keep it simple and believe there is no need to think in seasons, so rather they think in wardrobes. Shorts for summer, wool jumpers when it is cold that kind of thing.
Their clothes will fit into your wardrobe without having to give it a complete overhaul and provide the basis for stylish staples that you will wonder how you did without them. Their style is simple but “the devil is in the details” – English and Italian fabrics, collars that sit right, supersoft merino knits, a great pair of denims and that much sought after, never quite delivered perfect T-shirt.
Life is more than just clothes, people make it great and Albam like to get involved with those around them from working with their local university to pass on the experiences they have gained, to getting together for a beer with their customers.
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Pantherella
The Pantherella brand was first established in 1937, and has become renowned worldwide for producing socks to the highest standard, using only the finest natural fibres and hand finishing techniques.
A family business, with four generations of hosiery expertise, Pantherella firmly believe that excellence should be a standard to which we all aspire. Generations of Pantherella customers have loved their products and Pantherella are proud to have earned the reputation for producing the finest socks in the world.
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Sock Club London
Sock Club London will soon be releasing product designed in conjunction with Pantherella Socks, Fox Umbrellas and Globe-Trotter Luggage. They are partnering with these three English Heritage Brands, renowned as being the best in their field, on a limited edition range of product. This product will be made available via the Sock Club London website, and also through attendance at selective London based showcases and exhibitions including of course Best of Britannia.
Sock Club London has a London home, with a Global reach. Engaging with members through an online presence via its website, blog and instagram account. Members will be kept informed of exclusive events and product drops. Requests for membership application forms should be submitted to info@sockclublondon.com
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GLOBE-TROTTER
Is a modern heritage brand established in 1897. Today, GLOBETROTTER products are style icons adopted by purveyors of traditional craftsmanship and a timeless aesthetic. Each case is uniquely constructed and hand made by GLOBETROTTER in Hertfordshire using original manufacturing methods. GLOBE-TROTTER cases have been used over the last 100 years by an enviable client list, such as Sir Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth II, Captain Robert Falcon Scott,
Kate Moss, Daniel Craig, etc.
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Fox Umbrellas
Opened their first shop in 1868 in the City of London, making and selling the most finely crafted umbrellas. Since those days the company has built a reputation for excellence, skill and superb craftsmanship. Fox Umbrellas have made umbrellas for some of the most prestigious stores and individuals around the world; including Royalty, Presidents and Prime Ministers.
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