New label Drake & Hutch launches plan to bring clothing manufacturing back to the UK.

We recently featured Drake & Hutch in one of our men’s underwear must-have brands. Know the brand have some exciting news that we, here at High Street Gent, fully support…

Lancashire, 1st September 2016: New label Drake & Hutch have launched a campaign to revive the British textile industry and support jobs in the UK. By designing and manufacturing their new range of colourful socks in England they plan to bring back to life an industry that once thrived in the region they are based.

Founded by former buyer Pete McGuinness from Lancashire. The label creates everyday clothing essentials for women and men, designed in the heart of the countryside.

The companies new line of colourful socks are made in England and there are already plans for a future range of made in Scotland hats, gloves and scarves. All with the aim of supporting the British manufacturing.

Pete explains “I loved working in the clothing industry buying and developing for high-street labels, but I was always disappointed that despite an incredible textile history in the UK, so little clothing was made here.”

In the early 1900s UK textile production was in full swing. At one point an estimated 80% of the worlds cotton had passed through Manchester, known at the time as Cottonopolis. By the 1950s production was in rapid decline. In the 1970s the little manufacturing that was still based in the UK moved off-shore, mainly to China.

Pete goes onto say “Most of our suppliers are small family owned 3rd or 4th generation businesses. We work closely with them using our design capabilities and their expertise to create high quality wardrobe staples that are made to last, providing a little bit of affordable luxury you can enjoy everyday.

“Having regular contact with our suppliers means we know the clothing is being made ethically with fair wages supporting local communities.”

“instead of planning by season and predicting customer needs 12 months in advance like most labels, we listen to our customers and constantly develop the range based on feedback. This keeps it exciting for us as everyday we are looking at ways to evolve while our customers feel more like partners”.

Drake & Hutch have launched a campaign to support their British made socks via indiegogo.com, an online platform for funding creative projects (click here to view).

The future certainly looks bright for this forward thinking British label. Why not check out the campaign online now and support British manufacturing. As an extra incentive, the first 500 pairs of socks ordered will be delivered in time for Christmas making them the perfect gift!