Recently I was invited to spend the day at Pantherella a company most of you know and for those who don't, they are the oldest UK sock company which was established in 1937, based in Leicester which is known for hosiery and makes most of the socks you see on Saville Row such as Richard James who has his own Pantherella by Richard James range.
The purpose of the visit as to see how socks were made and now I will never look at socks in the same way.
FACTS
All production is done in the UK, made in England with ethics which is not a common practice these days.
There is both a Pantherella men's and Ladies socks range and a more casual line sold under the name Scott Nichol.
Pantherella are credited for inventing the hand link toe which offers a more comfortable fit, so no bumpy line.
Average socks made per day per person is 72 pairs going through 9 different stages.
Approx 21,800 socks are produced each week for a worldwide market depending on demand.
Celebrity clients include Hugh Grant and members of the Royal family.
Pantherella is the N.o1 selling sock brand in the United States stocked in stores such as Bergdorffs and Saks and in the UK Harrods and Selfridges.
In 2010 the company sold 1.1 million pairs of socks which equates to 60 tons of yarn.
The company was previously owned by Burberry.
Whilst at the factory you could feel the family atmosphere among the 103 staff and lots of team spirit something you find in most heritage companies in the UK and it was fascinating just watching the process from start to finish and witnessing how much work goes into making a pair of socks from the design process to packaging.
Autumn/Winter 11
Will see 40 new designs and a vintage collection which highlight socks from the last 30 years.
Verdict: Pantherella socks are truly exceptional pieces and some even pieces of of art, you may have to pay slightly more than the average socks but there's the saying "you get what you pay for" and with Pantherella you do!
2 comments:
Hats off to the workers for creating such socks, those machines look frightening! Wonderful post as always.
H
thanks H kind words x
Post a Comment