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John Smedley has been a fashion force since the 18th century and is one of the UK's most established names in knitwear. The company is still owned and run by the Smedley family and based at its original headquarters in Lea Bridge, Derbyshire.

Seeped in history, the label focuses on style and quality, producing menswear and womenswear that's more popular today than ever. The spring/summer range features pieces which work across a range of fashion looks, from streetwear to sophistication. For men there are Grant and Grandad tops, V-neck jumpers, crew necks and hooded tops. Womenswear includes super soft camisoles, wide leg trousers and delicate shift dresses. The colour palette combines earthy tones (charcoal, chalk, rope) with vibrant shades of turquoise, peacock blue and mulberry.

Smedley uses sea island cotton and Australian Merino wool. The spinning and dying processes are so strictly controlled that you can literally trace each garment back to source. Although the company now uses the latest machine technology, highly trained operatives (many are third-generation employees, and some have been with the company for over 50 years) are fundamental. Neck openings are cut individually by hand, neck trims are linked to the body, stitch for stitch, by hand and there are many other hand-sewing operations, including attaching the John Smedley label. Although water is no longer used to power the factory (the decision to establish the factory at Lea Bridge was in part due to the local brook,) the company owns three local springs and the purity of the water is crucial in ensuring the soft handle of the garments. A special post office, Lea Mills, is adjacent to the factory and it's from here that the company despatches over 600,000 knitted garments each year.

History of John Smedley

1784:
John Smedley and Peter Nightingale inspired by Sir Richard Arkwright's pioneering factory system with the world's first water powered spinning mill set up a spinning factory in Lea Bridge, Derbyshire.

1819:
John Smedley Jnr (a Christian who was seriously into hydrotherapy!) is apprenticed to the comapny as hosier and wool comber.

1825:
John Smedley Jnr takes over the business, aged 24.

1875:
John Smedley Jnr dies without leaving an heir and the business falls to to his third cousin, J.T Marsden-Smedley.

1877:
J.T Marsden-Smedley dies and the business is held in trust for 11 years.

1888:
J.T Marsden-Smedley's son, John B. takes over the businees and remains its Chairman for 70 years.

1893:
John Smedley is incorporated as a limited company. John B. expands its activities in worsted spinning and installs contemporary knitting machines and a production line capable of managing fine gauge, fully-fashioned underwear and fine knitted outerwear.

1930s:
The company turns from underwear to outerwear and following the outbreak of war, starts producing an extensive range of menswear, womenswear, swimwear and nightwear.

1960s:
The sweater line flourishes and the company exports to 35 countries worldwide.

John Smedley s/s 99 is now available from:

Gabucci - Bath

Jeanners - Edinburgh

Cruise - Glasgow

Wade Smith - Liverpool

Selfridges - London

Flannels - Manchester

Thackereys - Northampton

Level - Oxford

Prices range from £50-£110.
Telephone: 01629 534571 for further stockist information or visit the John Smedley Web site for more information.

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