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Blast from the past

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

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Blast from the Past

25th April 2013 | General, History, Pic of the Day, Press, Style | Leave a comment

Here is a John Smedley campaign image from our archive, featuring the classic v-neck pullover Bobby, layered over our 3 button polo shirt, Isis. The sweaters, styled here with chunky rimmed glasses and check trousers still remain in the collection today.

Archive John Smedley Shot

Bobby and Isis

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Blast from the Past

04th April 2013 | Design, Fun, General, History, Pic of the Day | Leave a comment

Here is a John Smedley cardigan featured in Glamour magazine in 2002. I absolutely love the simplicity of this look, the cardigan teamed with the box pleated skirt, pointed kitten heels and a slick ponytail ticks all the boxes. This outfit gets me very excited for Spring and simple summer styling.

John Smedley in Glamour Magazine (2002)

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Then & Now

02nd April 2013 | General, History, Pic of the Day | Leave a comment

Whilst the staff at John Smedley enjoy the new canteen recently opened by local MP Patrick McLoughlin, we take a look back at how things used to be here at John Smedley. The photographs seen below are of the canteen taken in 1927, where the women had their own separate dining room.

Canteen 1927

Women's Dinner House 1927

Canteen 2013

Canteen 2013

To read more about the new John Smedley canteen and how the company is cutting energy costs, click here.

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John Smedley at the Coronation Festival

07th March 2013 | Fun, General, History, Press, Style | Leave a comment

John Smedley is a proud Royal Warrant holder and is delighted to be part of The Coronation Festival this summer. John Smedley was awarded its Royal Warrant in January 2013 and its prestigious Royal appointment now sees us join over 200 Royal Warrant Holders at this unique event.

Come and visit John Smedley at the Coronation festival this July.

The Festival will be open to members of the public from Friday, 12th to Sunday, 14th July.

During the day, visitors will be able to explore and enjoy the Gardens which will feature four areas showcasing the very best of Food & Drink, Design & Technology, Homes & Gardens and Style, Pursuits & Pastimes.  As well as offering an array of shopping and sampling opportunities, there will be interactive features, including a 400-seat cat-walk and live cooking demonstrations – to educate and inspire.  An amazing day out in a unique environment.

Visit us in the gardens of Buckingham Palace and experience the Coronation Festival.  To buy tickets to this one-off event, click here.

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John Smedley Blue Plaque

06th March 2013 | General, History, Pic of the Day | Leave a comment

Yesterday a Blue Plaque celebrating the life and achievements of John Smedley 2nd (1803-1874) was unveiled on the site of the former John Smedley’s Hydrotherapy Hotel in Matlock, Derbyshire. Having made his fortune from his eponymous knitwear business between 1825 and 1849, John Smedley spent the second half of his business career building up and running his hugely successful Hydro (Spa) Hotel in Matlock. From 1853, the Hydro progressively expanded until it was able to treat up to 2,000 patients a year from all over the world. As a result, both the railways and trams were built in Matlock and great wealth was created for the region. In the 1950s, the Hydro finally closed its doors and was purchased by the Government to become the Derbyshire County Council Offices in which 2,000 people work today.

Unveiling of the John Smedley Blue Plaque.

The Blue Plaque was unveiled by Mr Charles Marsden-Smedley (left of picture), Chairman of John Smedley knitwear and a descendant of John Smedley 2nd, Councillor Andrew Lewer and members of the Matlock Civic Association.

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Format 13

01st March 2013 | Design, Film, Fun, General, History, Music | Leave a comment

This March will see the launch of the 6th edition of Format festival. Held between the 8th March – 7th April 2013, Format is an international photography festival that presents a selection of some of the finest emerging talents in photography. Founded in 2004, the festival has grown from strength to strength and the theme for this years festival is factory. John Smedley is a proud sponsor and we’ll be sure to keep you posted with updates from the festival.

8 March - 7 April 2013

8 March - 7 April 2013

For more information about Format festival, visit their website here.

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The Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen John Smedley Ltd. Manufacturer of Fine Knitwear

03rd January 2013 | General, History, Press | Leave a comment

It is with great pleasure and excitement I can announce today that John Smedley has received the first Royal Warrant in our 229 year history.

Her Majesty The Queen, through her household, has been purchasing fine knitwear directly from us for several years.  The Royal Warrant of Appointment is granted by Her Majesty and as such is a very public acknowledgement of the excellence of our garments.

John Smedley has a proud history of manufacturing the finest Merino wool and Sea Island cotton garments, both underwear and outerwear, in Great Britain.  Interestingly, the Royal Warrant document states specifically that we have been “appointed into the place and quality of Manufacturer of Fine Knitwear”.  I emphasise the word quality as I know that every one of our 390 employees has quality as a topmost priority and takes pride in every garment that passes through their hands. Indeed, quality is one of our core brand values because John Smedley, our founder, made it the distinguishing feature of the yarns and garments he produced.

Many of my colleagues have contributed to the application for The Royal Warrant and I must thank them all. At the same time, we recognise that a condition of application is the need for our company to address the many and complex issues of sustainability – not just the sustainability of the resources we use in production, but the sustainability of our very organisation. We will address these issues as we go forward.

Mr Ian Maclean

Managing Director

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Goodwood Revival 2012

04th October 2012 | Fun, General, History, Pic of the Day, Style | Leave a comment

Our womenswear designer, Pip Jenkins attended the Goodwood Revival festival a couple of weeks back. Goodwood revival is the world’s most popular historic motor race meeting and described as a place ‘to revel in the glamour an allure of motor racing in the romantic time capsule of the world’s most authentic motor circuit’ Here are some photo’s that Pip has kindly shared with us from her magical trip. I will definitely be going next year!

Womenswear Designer - Pip Jenkins

Leave the ‘modern world’ behind...

A magical step back in time

Haurell & Lardy

Th event is staged entirely in the nostalgic time capsule of the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

Celebrating motor sport between 1948 and 1966

To check out more visit the Goodwood website  http://www.goodwood.co.uk

Blast from the past

21st August 2012 | Colour, General, History, Style | Leave a comment

Spring / Summer 2001 Collection

I’m in love with this picture taken from the John Smedley Spring / Summer 2001 Collection. The coral colour lips are a hot trend that we will see a lot more of in Spring / Summer 2013 and is suitable for a range of skin tones. The roll neck sweater worn with the pleated skirt and ornate belt nods to the 1950’s – super cute look!

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