For some reason, the ‘Made in Britain’ label has long been held in high esteem overseas but not quite as appreciated within these shores – that’s why Buy British Day has been launched. Best of Britannia’s aim is to create one day where everyone is actively thinking, breathing, buying, wearing and eating British!

The BOB team firmly believe that the provenance of what we buy is increasingly important to the UK as well much as it is to the international consumer and are confident that the quality of each and every product is easily identified thanks to the skill and craftsmanship that our British manufacturing industry can boast.

Menswear blogger The Grey Fox recently wrote, “In writing about British menswear brands for some years, I’ve come to realise that there is a common thread to them all. They all have fascinating stories to tell; stories about how they started, about their craftsmen and women, their suppliers or the raw materials they use.”

There will be a great deal of activity online on social media as well as in publications so we urge you to show as much encouragement for this incredibly worthwhile day as possible! Use the hashtag #BuyBritishDay to bolster support!

To learn more about Buy British Day, watch this video:

British Vogue have launched their long awaited feature series about the fashion industry, presented by model, fashion ‘it girl’ and presenter Alexa Chung.

“Chung will be talking to everyone from current fashion students to the heads of major design houses, via journalists, buyers and all the workers in between” Vogue Associate Producer Venetia van Hoorn Alkema has said of the documentary.

“Her goal is to find out what the future holds for this multi-billion pound industry; how the next generation will get careers using all the tools available to them; and what the landscape looks like.”

Condé Nast UK’s own Danielle Bennison-Brown, who is director of video content said: “It’s very much about trying to educate people on how fantastic the fashion industry is…”

The aim is to not only inform those who have misconceptions of the fashion industry but to stress its importance and need not only to those in Great Britain, but also the positive impact it has throughout the world.

Future episodes will feature hot topics such as sustainability and technology so there’ s plenty of serious material to come. The first series has been extremely well received, let’s hope it the remainder of it makes a significant and long-lasting impression.

Watch the video in full below.

This AW season, we’ve seen a number of Men’s British Heritage brands launch their collections to receive huge praise in the process! Major international brands have been no slouches either as we witness some incredible collections from all over the world. We’ve also found that a number British brands have diversified to offer a full collection and offer an all-year-round, versatile clothing range can be worn in any situations and every location the fast-paced modern life’s that we find ourselves. We hasten to add that this is whilst maintaining their respective message, ethos and style for everyday use. Think beach, sun, swimming and sailing to winter, snow, ice and skiing! No small feat! Further to this, there are those British heritage brands who have changed their ‘voice’ in order to keep fully in line with the ever changing landscape of customers’ ideals, wants and ultimately needs. 2015 won’t be just another year that passes us by, it is the year that will go down in history as a major re-design in the fashion, clothing and wearable landscape!

Turnbull and Asser, the Jermyn shirt makers famed not only for their Royal warrant and a history of dressing the world’s most eminent gentleman but also for their 3 button cuffs, bold patterns and exquisite cloths used throughout their luxury range have adopted some new tactics to draw in the next generation of customers. In the last few seasons, the gentleman’s British heritage brand introduced some new styles to ther shirt range (slim fit, button down collar and the Informalist shirts), whilst the launch of a range of tailored shorts, a wide variety of ties and some more casual outerwear has allowed them to seep into the consciousness of the younger gentleman who might ordinarily have gone elsewhere to source the more contemporary’s styles they yearn for. The iconic English brand’s forward and smart thinking doesn’t stop there- they’ve just recently launched what is surprisingly only their second shop in London in 130 years. Admittedly, they’ve had a concession in the world famous Harrods department store for some time, now located in the contemporary menswear section of the Knightsbridge favourite which has provided them to stand alongside similar men’s continental Italian brand’s such as Brioni, Pal Zileri, Salvatore Ferragamo and the exquisite French shirtmaker, Charvet. This has therefore provided them with a new and diverse clientele but their new Mayfair shop will provide them with so much more.

Turnbull & Asser finally have their second ready to wear shop in London, news which is a welcome reprieve for many as it offer others them the opportunity to peruse and purchase the British heritage brand’s exquisite shirting, Scottish knitwear, fabrics and suits as well as many other fine gentleman’s accessories. Many will say that it’s not before time, but least there’s now another option for those eager to own a James Bond Dinner Jacket or a piece of Scottish cashmere knitwear made in one of Scotland’s best mills. You can’t get better than that we hear you cry! Well, not unless it’s alpaca knitwear of course!

Plum of London’s Royal alpaca clothing constantly receives high praise from both those who are familiar with alpaca knitwear and others who haven’t yet experienced the qualities and benefits that ‘the gold of the Andes’ offers.

The knitwear designers at Plum HQ are always vociferous and regularly exclaim their appreciation for the many benefits, attributes and qualities that Royal alpaca yarn offers. The subsequent opportunities that the cherished yarn provides the team with the ability to create some truly ground-breaking styles and innovative designs. This will not only revolutionise the knitwear industry but also assist us in our quest to create eco-friendly alpaca clothing that promotes ethical values and sustainable practices. Whilst alpacas themselves can be regarded as one of the few animals to claim eco-friendly credentials, the ethos behind the brand is to promote the skills British knitwear industry and unique craftsmanship that the British industry has honed and perfected. This results in alpaca clothing that boasts attributes including as soft as cashmere, better performing than merino, hypoallergenic, breathable and warmer than goose down to name but a few.

If you haven’t yet had the chance to appreciate the long-term benefits alpaca clothing, knitwear and woven accessories provides, we’ve listed just a few of the ever-increasing number of compliments and feedback we receive as reason enough to experience the incredible yarn for yourself;

”Good evening, thank you for my items, which arrived today. Not only are the items lovely but I felt the need to drop you a line to say I like the personable way you do business. In a world of poorly worded emails and badly stuffed envelopes, it has made a pleasant change. With best wishes” Ms T.Smith, England.

”Hello I Just wanted to say thank you and how pleased i am with my recent order. I love the colour and feel and quality of the alpaca. The hat is warm without being heavy and sweaty like most hats. The ‘man snood’ as i call it is very comfortable around the neck and head, very comfortable item to wear.
The order came quickly, beautifully packaged and feels like a top quality product. I’m really keen to only buy products of this nature if i can afford them. I wish you every success and i am really happy with my purchase. Well done and thank you.” Revd. A.B. Midlands, England.

”The parcel arrived yesterday and I am very, very pleased with the scarf and the snoods! Wonderful products, I am sure I will come back to Plum of London! Thank you and kind regards from Finland.” Ms S.M. Jaali, Finland.

”Hello, I’m emailing you back to thank you for your email and specially for the nice scarf which I’ve got today, looks very good. I’m happy with the purchase and the service as well, thank you again and keep the good work up. Best Regards, Y.E.” London, UK.

”Just wanted to say – this is the BEST warmest scarf! It’s below -12 F degrees out and it blocks wind and keeps me nice and snug! Can’t wait for my neck scarf, ideally I could be encased in some kind of alpaca chrysalis!” Ms L.P. Chicago, USA.

We look forward to the day that you too can write something similar about Plum of London’s alpaca clothing and accessories – we’re sure you’ll be converted soon enough!

It’s barely autumn yet it feels like winter – let alpaca bring some warmth back into your life again!

The team here at Plum of London have been working our socks off (alpaca of course), over the last year to bring you a new Autumn Winter Collection which we believe is our best yet! ‘But you’ve only launched one collection of luxury Royal alpaca garments’ we hear you cry. Yes, this is true, but by jove have we got some exciting new and revolutionary alpaca knitwear for you to feast your eyes upon in the not so distant future! All good things come to those who wait…!

Our hugely creative design team have been piecing together what we feel is the best of the best, a combination of the highest grade alpaca yarn in the most stylish, functional and wearable designs found on the planet, that will transcend many fashions for years to come. Undoubtedly, we’re striving to create ethical and eco-friendly alpaca knitwear which offers sustainable fashion and has a much smaller impact on both our environment and historic communities, whether they be in Britain, South America or elsewhere.

The young but highly accomplished British knitwear designers that have been tasked to create yet more revolutionary alpaca knitwear have, we believe, come up trumps. We very much doubt that you’ll be able to find alpaca garments which boast as many qualities as ours and still look exquisite and breathtakingly beautiful. There are many other brands who have launched their own range of alpaca knitwear this season which is an encouraging sign – we always welcome others who start to

It’s barely autumn yet it feels like winter – let alpaca bring some warmth back into your life again!

The team here at Plum of London have been working our socks off (alpaca of course), over the last year to bring you a new Autumn Winter Collection which we believe is our best yet! ‘But you’ve only launched one collection of luxury Royal alpaca garments’ we hear you cry. Yes, this is true, but by jove have we got some exciting new and revolutionary alpaca knitwear for you to feast your eyes upon in the not so distant future! All good things come to those who wait…!

Our hugely enterprising and creative design team have been piecing together what we feel is the best of the best, a combination of the highest grade alpaca yarn in the most stylish, functional and wearable designs that will transcend many fashions for years to come. Undoubtedly, this is what we strive to achieve; to create ethical, eco-friendly alpaca knitwear which offers sustainable fashion and has a much smaller impact on both our environment and historic communities, whether they be in Britain, South America, USA or elsewhere.

The young but highly accomplished British knitwear designers that have been tasked to create yet more revolutionary alpaca knitwear have, we believe, come up trumps. We very much doubt that you’ll be able to find alpaca garments which boast as many qualities as ours and still look exquisite and breathtakingly beautiful.

There are many other brands who have launched their own range of alpaca knitwear this season which is indeed an encouraging sign – we always welcome others who appreciate the true versatility and luxury that alpaca and in particular, Royal alpaca offers with open arms, as well as its sustainable and ethical values. It is true that these labels may have a stronger following than us so will undoubtedly pack a greater punch when enticing potential customers, but ultimately being one of the first members of the ever-increasing number of admirers, brands and fans that alpaca attracts, it is wonderful to know that the prodigious attributes of alpaca is spreading at a pace faster than we could have imagined. It is also somewhat flattering knowing that these established labels have joined our ranks as they have only just seen something incredibly special in alpaca and can only now finally project its infinite potential.

There is much anticipation abound by what Plum of London will present in our new collections of both Royal alpaca knitwear and baby alpaca woven accessories – we may even launch some Royal alpaca woven pieces as well as baby alpaca knitwear but one thing is for sure, you won’t be disappointed by our AW15 range of alpaca clothing! After all, the Incan society did name alpaca ‘the fibre of the gods’. Maybe you too will soon be wearing an ethereal piece of alpaca knitwear, but for the moment, our clandestine manner will prevail and no doubt toy with your virtue of patience…