Plum of London admires many brands but those we feel are the best British men’s brands form an elite list. As Englishman, the quality of the clothes we produce is something that we should look to with great pride. The tradition, heritage and innovation that have been employed by some of the greatest British brands in the world should feed this pride and the extraordinary craft that goes into making a Savile Row suit or a pair of Northampton-made shoes deserves to be celebrated.

Gieves & Hawkes
If the brand’s position at No1 Savile Row isn’t enough, then surely their three royal warrants will prove to you the incredible longevity of Gieves & Hawkes. Gentlemen from Winston Churchill and Prince Charles to David Beckham have long been fans of the world famous brand, and the tailor prides itself on the exquisite attention to detail placed on each and every stitch, whether it’s an off the peg blazer or a bespoke suit.

Turnbull & Asser
This is admittedly one of our favourite Men’s British brands. When it comes to shirt-making, there are very few brands that live up to the expectations of the marvellous Turnbull & Asser. Expertly crafted products made in their own unique way and with quality at the heart-centre is what the brand, which was established in England in 1885, prides itself on. Many of the Turnbull & Asser craftspeople have over two decades of experience between them, and with the Royal family holding the brand close to their hearts from day one, you know you’re buying into an incredible piece of history.

Floris
Another favourite of Winston Churchill’s, the brand also has Princess Diana and Ian Fleming on its books, and continues to have pride of place both in Britain and all over the world.The fragrance you spray should be as unique as the suit you wear, and there’s no better brand for the scent of a lifetime than Floris. As the oldest independent family run perfumer in the world, you’d be right to assume that the brand knows a thing or two about scent; they have been creating rare and beautiful fragrances since 1730.

Crockett & Jones
The esteemed shoemaker of Northampton is certainly our favourite men’s show brand here Plum of London HQ. The 5th generation family-managed business has since paid the utmost attention to creating seriously high quality and beautiful footwear that’s guaranteed to take you through all walks of life.

dunhill
Alfred Dunhill took over his fathers equine-goods store in 1893 and doubled its turnover within six months. And so, whether it was creating the lighters that the brand became so well-known for, or making bespoke blazers that’ll last you a lifetime, dunhill remains as ahead of the game now as it was over 100 years ago.dunhill has always been one of the most innovative British brands in the world. Iconic and always with a strong sense of its own message, dunhill has paved the way for many other Great British design houses who have drawn inspiration from their ethos.

Purdey
Whether through their guns or field-wear, Purdey is a true representation of British craftsmanship in the highest form. Since the brand’s establishment in 1814, they have been leading the way for gun and rifle makers all over the world.

Holland and Holland
The brand has held its own at the forefront of great British design for over a century.Their unconventional establishment in 1835 hasn’t stopped Holland and Holland from being at the pinnacle of British gun-making. Coming from a tobacconists background, Harris Holland initially founded his brand as a passion project after developing a keen interest in competition shooting and thus his need for a bespoke gun. You can guess the rest…

Lock & Co
Top hats and fedoras are an accessory synonymous with the English gentleman and Lock & Co are the brand to go to for such an item. Heritage and tradition are at the heart of Lock & Co’s ethos, and since the brands been around since the 1600s, they play a large part in every one of their hats.

Johnstons of Elgin
No British list such as this would be complete without the inclusion of an incredible cashmere brand, which is where Johnstons of Elgin comes in. Since it was first established in 1797, the company is still run by the same two families that started it, the Johnson’s and the Harrisons.

Geo F. Trumper
Geo F. Trumper is a British barber than stands out time after time in a continuously saturated market, and one that works with tradition at the base of everything it does. It’s been on the scene since the 19th century and still remains to rival all other modern barbers in the country through its two locations on Duke of York Street and Curzon Street.

Hardy Amies
When you think Savile Row, you think Hardy Amies. Sir Edwin Hardy Amies himself was best known during his time as an official dressmaker for Queen Elizabeth II. The tailor is one of the most highly respected in the world and with clients such as the Royal Family, when you purchase anything from you brand you can be sure that you’ll be in good company.

Emma Willis
With the factory sitting in the middle of Gloucester in a beautiful 18th century townhouse, Emma Willis is about as British as it gets. The brand creates some of the most luxurious shirts, boxer shorts, pyjamas and dressing gowns in the world; clothes truly fit for a gentleman and bespoke items that will last you a lifetime.

William & Son
William & Son prides itself on its heritage, history and iconic, distinctly British design: attention to detail is one factor that will never be overlooked.

Separated at birth…?

Ewoks from Star Wars may help some people some of the time but alpacas help everyone all of the time! Why, well just visit our ‘Why Alpaca’ page which details just some of the amazing benefits, qualities and attributes alpaca fibre possess:

http://www.plumoflondon.com/why-alpaca.php

Jo Malone hails Plum of London’s luxury British alpaca knitwear!

Jo Malone, founder of one of Britain’s most famous and best loved brands in the Nineties has become synonymous with luxury and indulgence. It is therefore with great honour and extremely exciting that having experienced Plum of London’s alpaca clothing and accessories first hand, Jo Malone commented “Plum is a beautiful product.”

The incredibly soft handle and infinite list of benefits that our Royal alpaca knitwear offers will surely have influenced Jo Malone’s highly regarded opinion of our collection.

Full report to follow…

In recognition of Plum of London’s recent achievement in being awarded the Butterfly Mark by Positive Luxury, the founder of the ethical alpaca brand was recently interviewed and offers his thoughts on everything sustainable, British and of course alpaca.

Tell us a little about the origins of Plum of London
A few years ago, owing to a number of sudden events in both a personal and professional capacity, I had the opportunity to do work with a knitwear brand which is where I first experienced the incredible attributes, qualities and benefits of alpaca fibre. The Incan society was literally ‘woven together’ by alpaca fleece with the very best reserved to clothe royalty and nobility and has since been referred to as ‘’The Fibre of the Gods’’, but only now is Western society starting to appreciate its incredible attributes and true value. Knowing that alpaca yarn was for some reason underappreciated in Western society, I saw an opportunity to create ethical and sustainable alpaca clothing which has the potential to revolutionise the knitwear industry. Armed with a strong desire to support the British knitwear industry, I then sourced sympathetic mills who can all be attributed in helping me realise my ambitions: to create sustainable and eco-friendly luxury British knitwear using ethically sourced alpaca yarn. This remains firmly at the heart of the Plum of London brand

What’s your vision as you take the brand forward?
To provide others with the belief and evidence that alpaca is the future of knitwear an quite possibly clothing. With this, I believe that alpaca can change people’s lives and ultimately the environment for the better. It’s an incredibly versatile and highly adroit yarn meaning that it’s purely a matter of time before other are fully informed, educated and have been made aware of what this yarn’s true capabilities. By continuing to create clothing which meets the ethical values our environment deserves whilst ensuring that the needs of the increasingly demanding consumer requires, we will create an evolving brand which will remain at the forefront of sustainably pioneering clothing and allow us to be a key influence in the future.

What are the benefits of alpaca over wool?
A huge and significant number! Alpaca fibre truly is incredible and needs to be handled first-hand in order to be fully appreciated. We do find that many people have quite negative preconceptions of alpaca but thanks not only to the incredible qualities of the fibre but also our ability to revolutionise the manufacture of alpaca yarn, the quality and handle of our products is exceptional and amazes all who come across them. Essentially, the first comment we hear when is that alpaca’s incredibly soft – its handle is far superior to wool – it’s always softer than they’d imagined. Alpaca also lacks the prickle factor associated with wool and merino whilst some claim that it’s even softer than cashmere. Royal alpaca is better performing than merino both in breathability and thermal qualities, hypoallergenic, naturally antibacterial and possesses incredible strength – it’s stronger even than mohair. I could go on – alpaca is mesmerising but I don’t want to bore you!

Why is made in Britain so important?
Often, the made in Britain label is seen merely as a reference to something traditional or heritage whilst avoiding the significant part it actually plays but it would be a mistake to undervalue its importance. Not only do we have a chance to support our own highly skilled workers who have shown huge resilience over the centuries but we strongly believe that alpaca not only has the ability to help revive the British knitwear industry but also revolutionise knitwear itself. The versatility and adaptability Britain has shown from the invention of the first knitting machine in 1589, to the industrial revolution and more recently to Scotland – famed for its cashmere production, the decline of the industry would be devastating to the communities which were not only built upon it but once thrived because of it.
Our desire to continue the historic achievements of the British knitwear industry is not simply nostalgia, it is borne out of a creditable belief that using our highly skilled workers, we can create a better product which will be revered and cherished the world over. After all, our aim is to create truly indispensable sustainable fashion which will be adorned and loved for many future years and shun the fast-fashion mentality that is all too prevalent on today’s high street and this is a trend we need to buck at the earliest opportunity.

How can consumers be assured they are buying from a brand they can trust?
Ultimately, it all comes down to the transparency of the brand. It is their responsibility first and foremost to provide a suitable level of engagement with the consumer and offer the relevant information. There are a number of new marketing techniques brands are adopting to raise their exposure and to promote their values which are wide and varied but thanks to organisations such as Positive Luxury, it is becoming a little easier for the consumer to fully appreciate the philosophies and ideals that various brands possess.

How do you think the textiles industry can influence consumer demand for sustainable and ethical production?
By creating durable and high performance products which are made to last. The tendency to use synthetic materials, the production of which also has a major detrimental impact on our environment, is culpable of the increasing woes our planet is experiencing. If we can source materials ethically, conscientiously and responsibly, we will soon be in a position to reverse this course. The ‘throw away mentality’ that seems to be imbedded in the psyche of today’s western society can also be halted as the consumer will become more acutely aware of the dangers their current shopping habits will have both socially and environmentally if maintained.

Describe Plum of London in three words:
Sustainably pioneering alpaca

The news that Plum of London’s favourite resort-wear brand has collaborated with the knitwear label’s cherished Savile Row tailor is cause for excitement and news worthy of sharing.

Celebrating travel and exploration, Orlebar Brown and Gieves & Hawkes have collaborated on a capsule collection of tailored ready-to-wear suitable for the modern man and their worldly adventures.

The pre-eminent Scottish explorer David Livingstone has inspired the collection and allowed Orlebar Brown to reimagine his meticulous hand-drawn maps onto a range of utilitarian clothing. Livingstone is one of the most popular national heroes of the late 19th century thanks to his pioneering expeditions and championing of causes from social reform to anti-slavery.

In many ways Livingstone has deep connections with Gieves & Hawkes. When Livingstone was feared dead in 1871, the New York Herald sent Mr Stanley to find him. Dressed in Hawkes & Co, Stanley found Livingstone in good health and well-dressed in Gieves. Upon Livingstone’s death, his body was returned to London to lay in repose at No.1 Savile Row – the headquarters of the Royal Geographical Society at the time and the home of Gieves & Hawkes since 1912.

The unique collaboration summons the spirit of curiosity, exploration and discovery both brands convey making it a project both apt and fitting.

As Livingstone said himself:

“I AM PREPARED TO GO ANYWHERE, PROVIDED IT BE FORWARD”

David Livingstone (19 March 1813 – 1 May 1873)

As a niche British knitwear label thanks to our focus on alpaca, we’re often asked our opinions on the future of the British knitwear industry and what it may hold for us.

As we’re now affiliated with Virgin, they recently posed some questions and asked our thoughts on Start-ups, alpaca and many more . Find the full interview below.

How startups can save traditional industries:

There’s a lot of talk about tech startups that are taking us into the future – but at Virgin StartUp we’re just as excited about the startups moving back towards traditional industries and techniques, innovating and ensuring that these skills aren’t lost. One such business is Plum of London, the first UK business since the 1830s to focus on high-quality alpaca yarn products. Here founder Hugo Dougass talks about why we should do our best to preserve traditional industries – and how.

The British knitwear industry is declining for a reason: a surge in competition from cheaper overseas manufacturers. We could allow it to fall to its demise peacefully and avoid the drain on both time and resources it will require to reverse; or we can be optimistic, take note of the demand from both national and international consumers, and do our best to pass on the skills and techniques that have been honed over the centuries and support those in typically more rural areas with opportunities to succeed. I believe it’s a case of channeling our efforts and investing in people and machinery which will allow the British knitwear industry to once again be an international leader.

Often, the Made In Britain label is seen merely as a reference to something traditional or heritage, but it would be a mistake to undervalue its importance. There are numerous British brands who have become global powerhouses in the last hundred years thanks to their British manufacturing stance. Even though there is a significant amount of increased worldwide competition, there are opportunities for many more brands to do the same – it’s partly a matter of creating a niche product and benefiting from the specialist and highly skilled workforce this island can boast.

The versatility and adaptability Britain has shown throughout the centuries – from the invention of the first knitting machine in 1589, to the industrial revolution and more recently to Scotland, famed for its cashmere production – the decline of the industry would be devastating to the communities which were not only built upon it, but once thrived because of it. Britain has always succeeded in adapting to the times and forging a new path, and it is now of paramount importance that we do so once again to ensure the industry’s longevity.

There are many varied reasons for the decline of the industry. Significantly, since the mid-20th Century – aside from debatable government policies and general complacency – there has been a surge in the development of overseas manufacturers who have invested more in technology and advanced means of production than we ever considered. We’re currently witnessing it in steel, we’ve seen it before in the shipbuilding, motor and aircraft industries, and if we don’t correct the trend, we’ll soon see it the knitwear industry.

One might say that although the manufacturing industries are in decline, the economy has been balanced thanks to the resurgence of other industries, finance being most notable. This might be a relatively constructive counter-argument, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that these statistics are based upon lone individuals whose opportunities, needs and desires require attention. I think it’s unlikely that someone who grew up in the Borders and has always wanted to work in textiles may want to relocate to London to work in finance just because that’s where they’re told the opportunities lie. Of course they’d prefer to work in their chosen industry in Britain, but may soon may find that their chances of success are moving to Japan or China.

Without the continuous flow of new workers the knitwear industry desperately needs, we’ll find ourselves in another vicious cycle: fewer skilled workers in well-paid positions creating less disposable income to spend on goods made by other skilled workers in another industry. This trend is cyclical and would have a detrimental impact if we allow it to continue.

British manufacturing is struggling and has been for quite some time, but this is doesn’t have to be terminal – there is a possibility that we can prevent this impending decline and there are many reasons for us to be optimistic. There is an increasing desire for British products internationally, especially in emerging markets where economies are growing and the Made in Britain label is aspirational. I see a constant stream of start-ups launching ecommerce platforms supporting British goods and ethical products – to say that this is encouraging is an understatement. There are many established organisations from UKFT and UKTI who we’re in talks with, to independent organisations such as MakeitBritish.com and StillmadeinBritain.com whose sole aim is to promote British brands and products. Upon approaching many mills, they’ve all been receptive to our ideas and ambition even though they conflict with everything they’ve previously done and experienced. It is this will and versatility that needs to be adopted and nurtured. From our perspective, no doubt it will.

Our desire to continue the historic achievements of the British knitwear industry is not simply nostalgia; it’s borne out of a belief that we can create a better product using our highly skilled workers, a product which will be cherished the world over. After all, our aim is to create truly innovative sustainable fashion which will be worn and loved for many future years, shunning the fast-fashion mentality that is all too prevalent on today’s high street.

As a luxury alpaca knitwear brand, we’re often asked why we’ve chosen to work with alpaca and more specifically Royal alpaca as no one else is doing the same, but ultimately this is why…

Alpaca is a hugely undervalued and underappreciated yarn but this is because no other label has been able to pioneer new manufacturing techniques which allows it to handle as softly and perform as well as we have. Some have claimed that our Royal alpaca products are literally softer than cashmere which may certainly seem true for some pieces in our range as they possess a particular stitch which exacerbates the softness and quality of the product. The fact that every one of our alpaca products have so many other attributes and qualities that people are unaware of is something that we are indeed trying to remedy. Given the popularity of our range, this task is becoming easier by the day.

Here are a just a few of the incredible benefits of Royal alpaca knitwear, clothing and accessories possess…

Alpaca is;

Hypoallergenic
Naturally antibacterial
Smoother than silk
Finer than cashmere
Insulates up to 30% better than merino
When required, is warmer than goose down
Lacks the ‘prickle factor’ associated with wool
Breathable
Stronger than mohair
Wicks away body moisture
Machine washable
Resistant to stains
Resistant to odours
Virtually water repellent
Not prone to ‘pill and ball’ unlike cashmere & other yarns
Lightweight & lustrous handling
Resistant to wrinkling

If you’re still unsure as to just how good our alpaca products actually are, we can only try and persuade you to try one and experience this wondrous yarn for yourselves. After all, it is known as ‘The fibre of the gods’ and ultimately, ‘touching is believing’…!

Situated in the magnificent surroundings of the historic Royal Institution of Great Britain, the luxury British knitwear label Plum of London attended The Good Web Guide’s Awards ceremony on Monday evening. The shortlisted companies were treated to bubbles and canapés whilst the names were read out in a plethora of categories from Arts/ Culture, Business, Education, Gardening, British and Positive Living to name but a few!

We were delighted to have been shortlisted in the Positive Social and Environmental Impact category alongside Dimpsey.co.uk, ‘who help busy people get quality time’. They’re listed as a ‘Chic Escape’ in Net-a-Porter’s online magazine ‘The Edit’ so they obviously provided some quite fierce competition! After several companies were announced ranging from Beyond-Bespoke.co.uk  who were triumphant in Best of British, to SecretEscapes.com trophy holders for best travel and Purplebricks.com who won the property prize, it was our turn to find out who out of us and Dimpsey.com would be taking the trophy home…

Suffice to say that the night wasn’t ours and the exceptional Dimpsey.co.uk was handed the iridescent glass prize for their efforts. Many huge congratulations to them and we think it’s fair to give ourselves on the pat on the back as well for our efforts- getting this far was by no means easy. We’ll return stronger and improved for next year though and I’m sure our day will come.

Excitement grew to find out which site had taken the coveted position of Website of the Year whilst the judges, who included Anna Bance of Girl Meets Dress, Dr Stephen Fear, entrepreneur and often known as the Phonebox Millionaire, Robert Tyson and Miisa Mink, mingled with attendees.  To much rapture, the TrustedHousesitters’ won the award – much deserved given their meteoric success.

The Good Web Guide has seen that this year significantly, entries from previous GWG Awards returned with new and improved sites and went on to enjoy success in their chosen categories. We must do the same…!

http://www.thegoodwebguide.co.uk/article/awards-winners-2015/18308

Positive Luxury, the organisation whose aim is to work with brands that consumers can trust, recently interviewed our founder on all things sustainable, knitwear, Britain and of course, alpaca.

Plum of London is a British knitwear brand founded in 2014 by Hugo Douglass. Tackling head-on the lack of sustainable, luxury and contemporary designed alpaca clothing available to the Western market, the brand is a unique player in the knitwear space. We sat down with Hugo to learn more.

Tell us a little about the origins of Plum of London

A few years ago I had the opportunity to work with a knitwear brand where I first experienced the incredible qualities and benefits of alpaca fibre.

The Incan society was literally ‘woven together’ by alpaca fleece with the very best reserved to clothe royalty and nobility and has since been referred to as ‘the fibre of the gods’, but only now is Western society starting to appreciate its incredible attributes and true value.

Knowing that alpaca yarn was for some reason under-appreciated in Western society, I saw an opportunity to create ethical and sustainable alpaca clothing which has the potential to revolutionise the knitwear industry.

With a strong desire to support the British knitwear industry, I sourced sympathetic mills helped me realise my ambition: to create sustainable and eco-friendly luxury British knitwear using ethically sourced alpaca yarn. My dream remains firmly at the heart of the Plum of London brand.

What’s your vision as you take the brand forward?

To help show others that alpaca is the future of knitwear, quite possibly clothing.

I believe that alpaca can change people’s lives and ultimately the environment for the better. It’s an incredibly versatile yarn. It’s only a matter of time before others are fully informed, educated and have been made aware of the yarn’s true capabilities.

By continuing to create clothing which meets the ethical values our environment deserves whilst ensuring that the needs of the increasingly demanding consumer requires, we will create an evolving brand which will remain at the forefront of sustainably pioneering clothing and allow us to be a key influence in the future.

What are the benefits of alpaca over wool?

A huge number! Alpaca fibre truly is incredible and needs to be handled first-hand in order to be fully appreciated. We do find that many people have quite negative preconceptions of alpaca but thanks not only to the incredible qualities of the fibre but also our ability to revolutionise the manufacture of alpaca yarn, the quality and handle of our products is exceptional and amazes all who come across them.

Essentially, the first comment we hear when is that alpaca’s incredibly soft – its handle is far superior to wool – it’s always softer than they’d imagined. Alpaca also lacks the prickle factor associated with wool and merino whilst some claim that it’s even softer than cashmere.

Royal alpaca is better performing than merino both in breathability and thermal qualities. It’s hypoallergenic, naturally antibacterial and possesses incredible strength – it’s stronger even than mohair.

Why is made in Britain so important?

Often, the made in Britain label is seen merely as a reference to something traditional or heritage whilst avoiding the significant part it actually plays but it would be a mistake to undervalue its importance. Not only do we have a chance to support our own highly skilled workers who have shown huge resilience over the centuries but we strongly believe that alpaca not only has the ability to help revive the British knitwear industry but also revolutionise knitwear itself.

The versatility and adaptability Britain has shown from the invention of the first knitting machine in 1589, to the industrial revolution and more recently to Scotland – famed for its cashmere production, the decline of the industry would be devastating to the communities which were not only built upon it but once thrived because of it.

Our desire to continue the historic achievements of the British knitwear industry is not simply nostalgia, it is borne out of a creditable belief that we can create a better product, using our highly skilled workers and create a better product which will be revered and cherished the world over.

After all, our aim is to create truly indispensable sustainable fashion which will be adorned and loved for many future years and shun the fast-fashion mentality that is all too prevalent on today’s high street and is a trend we need to bucket the earliest opportunity.

How can consumers be assured they are buying from a brand they can trust?

Ultimately, it all comes down to the transparency of the brand. It is their responsibility first and foremost to provide a suitable level of engagement with the consumer and offer the relevant information.

There are a number of new marketing techniques brands are adopting to raise their exposure and to promote their values which are wide and varied but thanks to organisations such as Positive Luxury, it is becoming a little easier for the consumer to fully appreciate the philosophies and ideals that various brands possess.

How do you think the textiles industry can influence consumer demand for sustainable and ethical production?

By creating durable and high performance products which are made to last. The tendency to use synthetic materials, the production of which also has a major detrimental impact on our environment, is culpable of the increasing woes our planet is experiencing.

If we can source materials ethically, conscientiously and responsibly, we will soon be in a position to reverse this course. The throw away mentality that seems to be imbedded in the psyche of today’s western society can also be halted as the consumer will become more acutely aware of the dangers their current shopping habits will have both socially and environmentally if maintained.

Describe Plum of London in three words:

Sustainably pioneering alpaca.