Fashion Spotlight – Grenson

www.grenson.co.uk

Fashion Spotlight – Grenson

Fashion Spotlight – Grenson

Grenson Shoes was started by just one man, William Green.
He was born in 1835 but his father unfortunately passed away in 1839 when William was only 4 years old. He moved away from his place of birth with his mother soon after and they ended up in Rushden, in Northamptonshire. In fact it was William’s mother who taught him his trade as he helped her to produce mens boots at home. It was only a cottage-based business but at that time, most shoemaking was still a cottage industry. He continued to help his mother until 1860 when he moved out of home and continued this in his own home until 1866.

In 1866, William stopped producing shoes and boots in his house and instead became a ‘factor’. This essentially meant he went out to get the orders, find the materials and employ craftsmen to fulfill the orders. The obvious next step for him was to formalize this arrangement and set up a company, which became known as William Green & Son.

Back and forth to London as part of his new role, William made more and more sales to wholesalers and it was not long before his mens shoes and boots became famous for their quality, craftsmanship and durability. The company attracted some of the finest shoe craftsmen in the business and William organised for the first factory to be opened in 1874. The ‘Greens Yard’ factory was the first factory in the world to use the Goodyear welt construction method for manufacturing gentlemen’s shoes. ‘Green & Son’ soon became Grenson, a powerful brand which still dominates the shoe industry today

Twenty years on, in 1895, Grenson moved to a larger premises to accommodate for the surge in demand which they experienced throughout the nineteenth century. This factory is the current factory on Queen Street and is the heart of this thriving shoe business.

William died at the start of the twentieth century (1901) but he had left behind him such a solid foundation that the company continued to go from strength to strength during the twentieth century. The Queen Street factory was further enlarged and the ‘Grenson’ brand was registered in 1913 (in fact, it is true that Grenson was one of the first brand names ever to be registered in the UK.

The business was badly affected by the depression but, like so many similar businesses was called into action during the war to make shoes and boots for British soldiers and by the end of the 1940’s was producing more shoes than ever before and employing 400 plus people.

Grenson continued to be owned and run by the Green family, with Charles AK Green following his father William, CW Sidney Green following his father and finally JW Heyden Green, Williams great grandson running the business until the 1980s when he sold it. The new owners were the Purslow family who ran the business for nearly thirty years before finally selling it to Tim Little in 2010.

Fashion Spotlight – Palladium

Fashion Spotlight – Palladium

Palladium was founded in 1920 to make tires for the fledgling aviation industry. Tires were made by layering canvas bands underneath vulcanized rubber. Palladium’s expertise was so advanced that soon the majority of Europe’s aircraft were using Palladium tires.

After World War II, with aircraft manufacturing screeching to a halt, the demand for tires decreased dramatically. Palladium decided to open a plant in Pont De Cheruy, France, to start producing footwear that was as hard wearing as their tires. In 1947 the legendary Pampa boot was born, and the functionality, comfort and durability were so outstanding that the French Foreign Legion adopted it for their use. The Foreign Legion put the boot to the test in the harsh desert conditions of North Africa, and throughout the rugged terrain of the Atlas Mountains.

Today, the original design, classic lines and time tested utility are as relevant as they have ever been. Combining over 60 years of authenticity with modern manufacturing, premium materials and cutting edge styling, Palladium boots are ready to help you explore your street, your city, or the world.

 

Fashion Spotlight – Barbour

Fashion Spotlight – Barbour

J. Barbour & Sons Ltd is a British clothing manufacturer and importer, founded in South Shields, best known for making waterproof and outdoor clothing, often associated with the sport of hunting. The company was founded in 1894 by John Barbour, from Galloway, Scotland, who began selling oilskins in the port of South Shields. The firm prides itself on its reputation for high quality, hard-wearing clothing, and holds royal warrants to supply “waterproof and protective clothing” to HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and HRH The Prince of Wales.

Barbour clothing is noted for rugged construction and appearance. In addition to its waxed and quilted jackets, the company produces sweaters, moleskin clothing, corduroy clothing, and tattersall shirts. It has also entered the “waterproof-breathable” market with own type waterproof liners, cordura external fabric and polar fleece sweaters.

It is not uncommon for customers to keep Barbour waxed jackets for many years, sometimes decades. Among such people, the wear-and-tear on the garment can be addressed by Barbour’s repair service, which patches and reinforces jackets that are sometimes in excess of fifty years old. Owners of such items find their age and age-associated repairs to be part of the garment’s charm.

In recent years, however, the company has tried to modernize its range towards a younger and stylish image, while maintaining the countryside range for which it is renowned, and keeping the attention to details and features which cannot always be found on other brands such as snug-fitting collars, “storm cuffs”, waterproof pockets with drainage holes and wide “game” pockets.

The mainstay wax-cotton jackets continue to be proudly made in Britain. Most of the other lines are now imported.

Since 2004, Lord James Percy, younger brother of the Duke of Northumberland, has been involved in the design and marketing of the company’s flagship shooting clothing.

Fashion Spotlight – Trickers

Fashion Spotlight – Trickers

In 1829 Joseph Tricker, master shoemaker, founded the company R.E. Tricker Ltd and five generations later his family continue to apply the same traditional crafts and skills in the production of the world renowned “Tricker’s” shoes.

The manufacturing home of Tricker’s continues to be based in Northampton the heart of English shoemaking country. The St. Michael’s Road premises accommodates all manufacturing, administration and marketing activities of this famous company. Combining the skills and service ethics of yesteryear with the flair and creativity demanded by twenty-first century commerce.

Using only the best available materials, including calf upper leather and oak bark tanned soles, Tricker’s craftsmen apply their legendary skills to produce both hand-made and bench-made shoes which maintain a standard seldom equalled in the world of Goodyear welted footwear.

Tricker’s of St. James’s, the famous retail establishment in the heart of London’s most prestigious shopping area serves as a focal point for their dedicated customers from all over the world. Offering a wide range of footwear including their famous handmade bespoke service and a comprehensive selection of classic styles for immediate wear.