20th May 2013 | Fun, General, Pic of the Day, Sample sale | Leave a comment
This weekend was busy at the John Smedley HQ with our first ever John Smedley Open Day and our Summer Clearance Sale. Our Open Day took guests on a tour around the factory, to give an insight into the various processes that goes in to making a piece of John Smedley knitwear. The tour started in the boardroom with our Managing Director, Ian Maclean sharing information on the family history. Our guests were able to get hands on in certain departments and try different processes along the way. Tina in the Making Up department demonstrated how to cut the perfect neckline.
Tina on the right, the master at cutting (using really heavy scissors!)
The John Smedley Open Day May 2013
Our new canteen was open for the day with a tasty menu including hot pork cobs, burgers and hot dogs.
The John Smedley Open Day May 2013
Across the road, people had traveled from afar to snap up a bargain at the summer mill sale. It’s safe to say there were a lot of happy faces!
People snapping up a bargain!
The Mill Sale May 2013
Our archivist Jane, had a station set up at the sale to inform shoppers of the company’s ongoing effort to build the John Smedley Archive. For any readers that have a piece of John Smedley’s past they would like to share, be it old garments, photos etc, please email Jane at archive@johnsmedley.com
The John Smedley Open Day May 2013
We would like to thank everyone that came along to both events. It is always really lovely to meet people who are interested and passionate about the brand. We look forward to seeing you all the next event!
Tags: Archive, cutting, Ian Maclean, Knitwear, Open Day, Sample sale, Summer
17th May 2013 | General, Pic of the Day, Press, Style | Leave a comment
Our Spring / Summer 2013 campaign was shot in the heart of Mayfair, London. The team worked with 7 models to create individual looks for the different collections within the range.
Our rich heritage and roots in the Derbyshire countryside is always at the centre of everything we do and the focus in this shoot was to make sure that the accessories we used, were an extension of this. Cue, Silken Favours. Although this brand may not have been around for 229 years, the products are playful, made from beautiful silk and most importantly made in the UK. Creator, Vicki Murdock is a print designer who uses pen and ink techniques to create the designs. The range features an assortment of scarves, cushions and soon, shirts*excited face* in a selection of quirky prints.
Danielle wearing John Smedley and Silken Favours
The Silken Favours scarf is styled here with our 70% cashmere / 30% silk sweater, Rochelle. Danielle wears the scarf twisted around her neck, for a modest injection of colour against the silver sweater.
Ok, so I’m slightly obssessed with the Silken Favours cushions, meet Stanley…don’t even get me started on Bob.
Silken Favours 'Stanley' cushion
Silken Favours 'Bob' cushion
Check out the website here.
Tags: 70% cashmere/30% silk, Brand watch, British, Derbyshire, Heritage, London, Mayfair, Rochelle
17th May 2013 | Design, Fun, General, History, Pic of the Day, Style | Leave a comment
After hearing the news that David Beckham is retiring from football, today’s picture from the archive seemed somewhat appropriate. Beckham has hit the headlines over the years, however the fashion moment that stood out to me was when David was snapped with Victoria in matching leather outfits circa 1999.
This image from our archive sees this happy couple wearing John Smedley sweaters and his and hers matching trousers. (Perhaps not as tabloid worthy as a matching all leather ensemble, however still well syncronised) The round neck sweater worn by the man, is one of our most iconic styles that remains in the collection today with some minor refinements. Hunter is made from the finest Merino wool and features rib hems and cuffs for a neat fit. The shirt style worn here by the woman is still popular and has transpired in our current collection to shirt style, Tanya.
John Smedley Archive
Hunter and Tanya in our current Spring / Summer '13 range
Tags: Archive, Hunter, john smedley, Merino Wool, neat fit, rib hems, shirt, Tanya
10th May 2013 | Fun, General, I Spy Smedley, Music, Pic of the Day, Press, Style | Leave a comment
Miles Kane wearing our classic roll neck, Belvoir in his latest video “Don’t forget who you are”. A slim fit pullover, Belvoir has fashioned shoulders, rib hem and cuffs for the perfect fit. Available in a wide range of colours, Belvoir looks great worn on its own or under a blazer for a dressed up look.
Miles Kane wearing style Belvoir
Check out Kane’s latest video here.
Tags: Belvoir, Classic, fashioned shoulders, Miles Kane, rib hem, Roll Neck
10th May 2013 | Fun, General, Pic of the Day | Leave a comment
Here are a couple of pictures from behind the scenes at the John Smedley Spring / Summer 2014 photo shoot. It seems slightly crazy that we are still in Spring / Summer 2013 and the team are working this far in advance, soon enough they will be working on the AW14 collection, mind boggling!
The shoot was based in London and John Smedley worked with some truly fantastic people on this campaign, we are very excited to show you the results later in the year. Here is a little treat for our devoted blog readers to keep you in the loop!
Spring / Summer 2014 Menswear Shoot
Spring / Summer 2014 Womenswear Shoot
Tags: London, Spring / Summer 2014
07th May 2013 | Uncategorized | Leave a comment
John Smedley will host an Open Day on Saturday 18th May 2013, 10.30am – 3pm.
Located at the John Smedley Mills in Matlock, the day will include factory tours, a chance to meet the masters and refreshments available from our new canteen. The open day is to give any students or prospective employees an insight to the world of textiles. Visitors will be shown around various departments within the factory including linking, washing and dyeing.
John Smedley Open Day 18 May 2013
If you are interested to learn the trade and go on a tour of the one worlds oldest manufacturing companies, please email charlotteoates@johnsmedley.com.
John Smedley Ltd
Lea Mills
Lea Bridge
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 5AG
* Due to high demand we may not be able to accommodate all requests.
Tags: John Smedley Mills, Matlock, Open Day, Textiles, trade
01st May 2013 | Fun, General, Pic of the Day, Style, TV | Leave a comment
Alan Titchmarsh wearing style Bobby in Midnight worn over a crisp shirt and a Barbour jacket. Bobby is one of our most popular styles, worn by numerous celebrities including Daniel Craig in Skyfall. A vee neck sweater made from 30 gauge Merino wool, Bobby features rib trims and a turnback rib cuff for our iconic finish.
Alan Titchmarsh wearing 'Bobby' styled by Lynda Wood
Tags: 30 gauge, Bobby, Merino Wool, Skyfall, sweater
29th April 2013 | Colour, Film, Fun, General, I Spy Smedley, Pic of the Day, Press | Leave a comment
The fantastic Sir Ben Kinglsey wearing style Bobby in a recent interview about his latest role in Iron Man 3. Bobby is our classic vee-neck sweater made from extra fine Merino wool.
Sir Ben Kingsley wearing style Bobby
Sir Ben Kingsley, wears style Bobby in ‘Mazarine Blue’ a new colour from our Autumn / Winter 2013 Collection. This style will be coming soon to the John Smedley Flagship store and online, watch this space! To watch the whole interview click here.
Tags: Autumn Winter 2013, Bobby, Flagship Store, Mazarine Blue, Merino Wool, Sir Ben Kingsley, vee neck
26th April 2013 | General, Retail, Sample sale | Leave a comment
The John Smedley Mill Sale will take place on Friday 17 & 18 May 2013. The sale is from 10am – 4pm both days and the Mill Shop will be open as normal during the sale event. You will be able to shop John Smedley’s Sea Island Cotton in past season colours and styles. Feel free to bring family and friends to pick up a bargain!
Summer Mill Sale 17 & 18 May 2013
John Smedley
Lea Mills
Lea Bridge
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 5AG
Tags: John Smedley Mill Sale, John Smedley's Sea Island Cotton, Matlock, Sample sale
25th April 2013 | Fun, General, Pic of the Day | Leave a comment
Yesterday Freya and I visited London to plan John Smedley showcasing at London Collection: Men this June. In between meetings and finding the perfect venue, we stopped off for a bite to eat in Soho. We ate at The Breakfast Club and treated ourselves to the Half Monty. The photo’s don’t do it justice at all (I was too excited to tuck in!) but I would happily eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday. The sausage was a personal highlight, perfect in texture and deliciously spicy. My friends call me the condiment queen so I couldn’t have been happier with the array of sauces on our table. The freshly squeezed apple juice served ice cold was unbelievably thirst quenching. Freya has now vowed to get her juicer out and give this a go at home.
Do you have any favourite restaurants / cafes you love to visit in London?
The Breakfast Club
Tags: john smedley, London, London Collection: Men, Soho, The Breakfast Club
