To say British, heritage knitwear brand John Smedley have invented themselves, is a bit of an understatement, along the same lines as describing the Great Fire of London as a bit of a contained bonfire. In recent years its turned its image and fortunes round from being a traditional knitwear manufacturer to being a go to brand, showing as part of London Collections:Men and this latest venture only strengths their style credentials.
The much loved British luxury knitwear brand is built on over two hundred years of craftsmanship and quality, their second and ultra limited collaboration with pioneering Japanese super-brand, Comme Des Garçons for Autumn ’14.
Limited to just 40 pieces worldwide, so better be quick, acclaimed designer, Junya Watanabe, has reinterpreted John Smedley’s iconic design, the Bobby pullover, creating a fusion of classic British style with typical Japanese innovation.
Woven into panels at John Smedley’s Lea Mills factory, believed to be the oldest in constant production in the world, the premium New Zealand merino wool is then sent to Japan to be hand embroidered and finished by Comme Des Garçons, themselves, leaving a slight detail of the raw seaming. Available in two colourways, charcoal and navy, each design has been embroidered with Junya Watanabe’s signature plaid Union Jack.
