2015 marks Turnbull & Asser’s 130th anniversary as the world renowned authority in gentleman’s dressing and as leading shirt and tie makers. Looking to the future the brand announces the expansion of their Gloucester work rooms.
Situated in Quedgeley, Gloucester, founded in 2003, will extend its production capabilities to approximately 70,000 shirts per year to meet the rise in global demand for the brands esteemed made in England bespoke and ready-to-wear shirts. The number of people employed in the work rooms will increase to 101; in addition, new machinery has been added to enable a new manufacturing ‘line’ to be created within the facility that extends over two buildings to approximately 1,300 square metres in total.
During the 30 years that Turnbull & Asser has been producing in Gloucester the work rooms have become an integral part of local society with the longest standing employees serving for 47 years.
2014 was a pivotal year for Turnbull & Asser with the opening of a new global headquarters at 14 South Street, in the heart of London’s Mayfair, to house the expanding design team, showroom and offices. While Autumn Winter 2014 also saw a new evolution for the brand with the launch of the first collection by the Head of Design, Dean Gomilsek-Cole.
Over the last twenty years the company has gone from strength to strength and has an enviable reputation for quality and service. The shirts and ties are designed in- house and woven to strict specifications. All but a few of the products found in Jermyn Street and Bury Street are sourced or manufactured in the United Kingdom; in particular all shirts, pyjamas and boxer shorts are made in the Gloucester work rooms while ties and bow ties are made in the other Turnbull & Asser factory in Sidcup in Kent.
In the 1920s and 30s the company became famed for producing wonderful silks that were used for everything from racing and steeple chasing colours through to night wear, as well as their now, trade mark exclusive woven cottons, for shirts. This can be attested by the extraordinary archive of pattern books still in existence. Many of the designs which are featured in the seasonal collections are based on the original patterns drawn up in these and subsequent years.
During the war years, many notable clients passed through the doors of the Jermyn Street shop. Sir Winston Churchill the Prime Minister used to order his eminently practical siren suits, one of which can be found on display in the Science Museum and will be available to view later in the year in the Churchill Room at 71 & 72 Jermyn Street, named after Sir Winston.
The 1960s saw a revolution in British fashion of which Turnbull & Asser became one of the most forward thinking and progressive companies. It was during this period, Michael Fish who was employed as a sales consultant, designed the now, world famous, unusually wide, kipper tie.
Throughout its history Turnbull & Asser became the outfitter of choice to leaders of states, captains of industry, film stars and artists alike including, Charlie Chaplin, Pablo Picasso, President Regan, The Beatles, Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.
In honour of the 130th anniversary, Turnbull & Asser has created a series of films which will be housed on a microsite to illustrate key products that are synonymous with the brand and which remain, proudly made in England. The films take you on a discovery, looking closely into the past and present developments of iconic Turnbull & Asser products; the shirt, the tie, the gown, the suit and the pocket square - narrated by those who have played an integral part in the 130 year journey.
www.turnbullandasser.co.uk/130years
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