Harry's Guide to English Brands
A brief run-down of some of our favourite brands from across the pond.
By: Harry Rosen Staff
When it comes to menswear, British style has its own distinct personality. Timelessly tailored, staunchly structured, and invariably innovating, its rich heritage and unapologetic authenticity inform new designs and add to its appeal.
Whether it’s classic footwear or contemporary casualwear, our line-up of British brands are here to elevate every facet of your wardrobe.
Here, we implore you to learn a little more about some of our favourite brands born in Britain.
Established in 1873 by Thomas Church in Northamptonshire, England — one of the world’s most esteemed shoemaking regions — Church's is regarded as one of the finest shoe brands available.
Known for formal footwear that epitomizes classic British style, Church's shoes are valued for their quality, durability, and elegance. Each shoe is bench-made using premium leathers and a Goodyear welt construction, providing ease of repair and a long lifespan.
Clarks was established in 1825 in the small town of Street in Somerset, southern England, and originally produced leather goods and rugs before reusing the off-cuts to create slippers.
Over time, Clarks' footwear business grew, and the company began to develop a reputation for embracing new technology, culminating in a better fit and more comfortable shoes. Today, Clarks is renowned for comfortable, durable shoes, while its Desert Boot and Wallabee styles have become worldwide brand icons.
When Jack Lewis Rose originally started his London-based clothing label in 1926, it focused on high‑quality menswear, especially nightwear. After Jack's son Derek joined in 1953, production moved north to Cheshire, England, (where it has remained since the 1970s) and the company eventually took his name.
Now a third-generation family-run business, Derek Rose is regarded as a specialist maker of nightwear, sleepwear, loungewear, leisurewear, resortwear, and underwear. Derek Rose uses premium materials like silk, cashmere, and cotton, further developing a reputation for the quality and comfort of its products.
Paul Smith founded his namesake label in 1970, opening his small atelier Paul Smith Vêtements Pour Homme in Nottingham, England, shortly after. By 1976, Paul Smith had shown his first men's collection in Paris and subsequently opened his flagship boutique in Covent Garden, London. Today, the Paul Smith brand is renowned worldwide, from North America to Japan.
Paul Smith's “classic with a twist” design ethos takes traditional British styles and infuses them with unexpected details, bold accents, playful prints, and his signature multicoloured stripes. Paul Smith is still personally involved in his brand and even received a Knighthood for his services to fashion in 2000.
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