Iconic Styles
John Smedley has always been an innovative and progressive knitwear manufacturer. We blend the latest technology and age-old craftsmanship to create iconic garments engineered to last.
Pieces that set new standards when they were first introduced are still among our bestsellers today. Classic styles and a culture that encourages ideas from all corners of Lea Mills mean we continue to innovate. With each new collection, we build on our reputation by creating the iconic John Smedley pieces of the future.
From underwear to outerwear
John Smedley is 225 years old with origins in fine underwear manufacture. Our values remain the same as they were then: to create contemporary knitwear from high quality materials. In 1922 we introduced the luxurious John Smedley's Sea Island Cotton and 10 years later, in 1932, we introduced the first in what would become a long line of iconic outerwear garments. Isis and Leander were both made from John Smedley's Sea Island Cotton and remain staple, stylish pieces in our summer collections.
John Smedley has adapted to many changes in fashion during our history. The advent of centrally heated homes and workplaces in the 1950s reduced the need for insulating undergarments and our focus switched to outerwear. This period saw us develop a way of working that's still in place today.
John Smedley has adapted to many changes in fashion during our history. The advent of centrally heated homes and workplaces in the 1950s reduced the need for insulating undergarments and our focus switched to outerwear. This period saw us develop a way of working that's still in place today.
John Smedley designs and manufactures at Lea Mills, our Derbyshire mill, with designers working as part of, not away from, the factory floor. We take their creativity and use technology and craftsmanship to innovate, push boundaries and ultimately, create luxurious knitwear. We now use extra-fine Merino wool alongside John Smedley's Sea Island Cotton to create almost all of our knitwear. Together they allow us to create garments of the highest quality.
In the spotlight
Over the years a number of high profile customers have added John Smedley to their wardrobes. Well-known heroes of the James Bond and Mission Impossible films have worn our garments on and off the screen. Our knitwear was also featured in the 2009 film for Chanel, Coco avant Chanel. See our News section for more appearances by John Smedley.
John Smedley designs and manufactures at Lea Mills, our Derbyshire mill, with designers working as part of, not away from, the factory floor. We take their creativity and use technology and craftsmanship to innovate, push boundaries and ultimately, create luxurious knitwear. We now use extra-fine Merino wool alongside John Smedley's Sea Island Cotton to create almost all of our knitwear. Together they allow us to create garments of the highest quality.
