Hackett - Al Rai

Fifth RingRoad,The Avenues Mall,Al-Rai, Al Farwaniyah Governorate,Kuwait.

Share :

Description

Jeremy Hackett and Ashley Lloyd-Jennings meet in the Portobello Road, West London both combing the market for good second-hand traditional British men’s clothing. A business partnership is soon started with a small stall in Portobello themselves, selling on the clothing after cleaning and repairs.With a thriving small business in Portobello, Jeremy Hackett and Ashley Lloyd-Jennings make a big step up and open their first shop under the name “Hackett” at the wrong end (as their bank manager observed) of the New Kings Road in Parson’s Green, London. Still selling fine quality second-hand traditional British clothing and accessories, discovered in house clearances and numerous antique markets, Hackett soon gains cult status aided by interest in “Young Fogeydom” and the “Sloane Ranger handbook”.It becomes apparent that market demand will always exceed supply of quality second-hand clothing and accessories and Hackett and Lloyd-Jennings decide that the answer is to manufacture from new, to complement the second-hand offering. Starting from scratch but working with traditional manufacturers, they are able to create their ideal range of clothing and accessories based on their extensive knowledge of British men’s style. The range contains all their favourites but displays a bold use of colour and pattern, presenting a fresh take on British men’s style attracting the sons of the then archetypal Savile Row customeSuch is the continuing success of the first shop in Parson’s Green that Hackett opens more shops in the locality; one for shirts and ties, one for tailoring, a specialist formalwear shop, a barber’s and gentlemen’s accessories shop, and finally a sportswear shop. All are within a hundred yards of each other and the area becomes affectionately known by London cabbies as “Hackett Cross”.Hackett first becomes involved in the sport of polo. Approached by two army officers looking for sponsorship, the Hackett Polo Team is formed and plays out of Guards Polo Club. This is the beginning of the Hackett polo shirt. Originally made solely for the team, Hackett customers who have spent a pleasant afternoon up at Smith’s Lawn keep asking to buy the shirts. Jeremy and Ashley eventually relent and the rest is history. Hackett is still involved in polo today with several International teams. Hackett’s growing appeal to the City professional prompts Hackett to venture out of Parson’s Green and set up shop in the financial and legal districts of London, taking in Eastcheap, Bishopsgate and Holborn.Hackett starts to advertise in a small way and adopts two devices, which prove to have longevity, the chequer board advertising style and the strapline, “Essential British Kit”, the perfect summation of everything that Hackett is about.By the late eighties, Hackett is attracting considerable interest from anglophile Europeans and in particular Spanish customers. Capitalising on this interest, Hackett opens its first shop in Madrid with Spanish partners. This provides the foundation for a very successful Spanish business which includes concessions with the Spanish department store group, El Corte Ingles.Following on from the Polo association Hackett take on the promising 3 Day Eventer, William Fox-Pitt and so began one of the longest associations in the sport with William going on to take part in 3 Olympiads for Great Britain while winning all of the classics on the way.With a growing footprint in London and abroad, Hackett attracts the attention of Alfred Dunhill (eventually to become the Richemont Luxury Goods Group) who buy a majority shareholding in Hackett. This injection of support enables Hackett to open its still current flagship store on Sloane Street, London SW1 in October 1992Hackett has its first brush with motoring and becomes the first sponsor of the Goodwood Festival of Speed.The home of the phrase, “Le style anglais”, becomes the next step in the expansion of Hackett with the opening of a shop on the Left Bank in ParisAfter repeated requests from customers to make clothes for children just like Daddy’s, Hackett produces its first range for “Essential British Kids”.Hackett embarks on a long-term sponsorship of the England Rugby Football Union team. As the Official Formal Wear Suppliers to Sir Clive Woodward’s team, Hackett kits out the players with bespoke blazers and flannels, and later on introducing the team’s first ever team suit.Jeremy Hackett and Ashley Lloyd-Jennings meet in the Portobello Road, West London both combing the market for good second-hand traditional British men’s clothing. A business partnership is soon started with a small stall in Portobello themselves, selling on the clothing after cleaning and repairs.

ADD RATINGS Post Comment

Leave a Comment

Free Listing