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The Spring ’24 Collection.
Words by James Eden.
Cottenham House is our home. The beautiful 171-year old redbrick factory on the banks of the River Irwell is where all our clothing is hand-cut, hand-sewn and hand-finished by local craftspeople. We work here every day and bar a few modern innovations, the factory hums much like it would have when it first opened. And to honour the last clothing factory in the world’s first industrial city, our new Spring Collection is inspired by Cottenham House and the colours that are found around it.
The factory first opened its doors in 1853 – and over the years, it’s produced clothing for the likes of presidents, musicians, sporting greats and Hollywood heroes. And from supplying the RAF with waterproof parkas in WWII to becoming the UK’s largest producer of surgical masks and gowns during the pandemic, the clothing produced here has done nothing less than save millions of people’s lives.
The Spring ’24 Collection.
Words by James Eden.
Cottenham House is our home. The beautiful 171-year old redbrick factory on the banks of the River Irwell is where all our clothing is hand-cut, hand-sewn and hand-finished by local craftspeople. We work here every day and bar a few modern innovations, the factory hums much like it would have when it first opened. And to honour the last clothing factory in the world’s first industrial city, our new Spring Collection is inspired by Cottenham House and the colours that are found around it.
The factory first opened its doors in 1853 – and over the years, it’s produced clothing for the likes of presidents, musicians, sporting greats and Hollywood heroes. And from supplying the RAF with waterproof parkas in WWII to becoming the UK’s largest producer of surgical masks and gowns during the pandemic, the clothing produced here has done nothing less than save millions of people’s lives.
It’s an extraordinary place with an extraordinary heritage. And in this year’s Spring Collection, wherever you look, you’ll find traces of the factory in the clothing. From the textured brickwork that lines the walls to the soft blue ribbon that binds the fabrics, the silver scissors that cut every garment to the green railings that store them, every colour in the collection is based on a precise feature, detail or object found around the factory.
But the collection isn’t just about colour. The fit, comfort, style and durability of each piece has been crafted for all the occasions – and all the unpredictable weather – that this time of year brings.
MEET THE ROOF, RIBBON, BRICK AND SCISSOR-COLOURED HERO PIECES.
LET'S START OFF WITH THE FOUR HERO PIECES AT THE HEART OF THE COLLECTION.
1. THE ALABASTER RICHMOND REVERE JACKET.
COLOURED BY THE ROOF THAT KEEPS OUR MAKERS DRY.
This jacket has been precision-engineered to stave off the elements.
Its showerproof silk-cotton blend forms an excellent barrier against the rain. Its five-button centre-front fastening can stand firm against tough winds. And the collar’s tight zig zag Van Dyke stitch makes it resistant to the wear and tear of sudden storms.
But practicalities aside, it’s also extremely elegant. The fit provides an unusual contrast: the relaxed silk drapes down loosely over the whole torso, but you can tighten it round the waist with a drawstring for a sharper cut in the middle.
Then there are the finer details you may not notice immediately, but you’ll certainly come to appreciate over time: the sateen inner lining, the real-horn British made buttons, the soft epaulettes perched atop the shoulders and the etched copper rivets on the back neck
Then there are the finer details you may not notice immediately, but you’ll certainly come to appreciate over time: the sateen inner lining, the real-horn British made buttons, the soft epaulettes perched atop the shoulders and the etched copper rivets on the back neck
A stunning piece from hem to collar, we’re particularly proud of all the work that’s gone into making it as beautiful and as durable as it can possibly be.
2. THE INK RICHMOND SILK MAC.
COLOURED BY THE SMOOTH RIBBON THAT BINDS OUR FABRICS.
You can always tell a well-made jacket form how it feels. Like the Richmond Revere Jacket, the Silk Mac is a blend of 74% cotton, 5% silk and 1% elastane. And it’s this unique combination that gives it it an exceptional smoothness.
The cotton provides a plush softness, the silk creates an even, luxurious texture, and the elastane makes it exceptionally pliable. When you look at it, you can’t help but trace your fingers up and down the length of it.
The cotton provides a plush softness, the silk creates an even, luxurious texture, and the elastane makes it exceptionally pliable. When you look at it, you can’t help but trace your fingers up and down the length of it.
A stunning piece from hem to collar, we’re particularly proud of all the work that’s gone into making it as beautiful and as durable as it can possibly be. It’s just as inviting to the eyes, too. It’s got a fashionably nonchalant fit that hangs over the knees, several intricate edge stitches that run along the length of the piece, and a host of beautifully crafted details like the real-horn buttons and copper rivets.
Together, all these elements combine to form a pristinely packaged piece of outerwear.
3. THE BRICK RED RUGBY SHIRT.
COLOURED BY THE BRICKWORK THAT'S STOOD STRONG FOR 171 YEARS.
Uniquely, this shirt is made of 425g Japanese loopback cotton. Robust yet soft, it’s significantly more dense than standard jersey cotton, which usually comes in at around 300g.
Just like the walls of our factory, it’s been designed to endure and get better with age (albeit for decades, not centuries). In fact, the more you wear it, the more comfortable it becomes.
And for all the many years that it’ll be with you, there are plenty more features to explore, uncover and admire each time you wear it.
The buttons are made from Corozo, a nut derived from Ecuador that’s both durable and smooth. There’s a copper rivet that sits just above the hem, which is artfully branded with the PWVC initials. And there’s an eye-catchingly pointed herringbone stitching that shoots neatly up the length of the collar.
The buttons are made from Corozo, a nut derived from Ecuador that’s both durable and smooth. There’s a copper rivet that sits just above the hem, which is artfully branded with the PWVC initials. And there’s an eye-catchingly pointed herringbone stitching that shoots neatly up the length of the collar.
A masterpiece of a jersey that – as the name would suggest – is solid and built to last.
4. THE SLATE VENTILE® BOMBER.
COLOURED BY THE SCISSORS USED TO HAND-CUT ALL OUR CLOTHING.
Our Slate Ventile® Bomber is a look that’s as sharp as the tools that created it. It includes a cropped fit that creates a more defined silhouette, a ribbed hem and collar that’s smooth to the touch, and five real-horn buttons – where no two of their natural patterns look the same.
Once you get past the immediate attraction, you also come to realise how handy and sturdy the jacket is, too. It’s made with 100% Ventile® cotton, a high-density, tightly woven textile that’s particularly weather-proof and was even used in the first successful climb of Everest back in 1953.
Once you get past the immediate attraction, you also come to realise how handy and sturdy the jacket is, too. It’s made with 100% Ventile® cotton, a high-density, tightly woven textile that’s particularly weather-proof and was even used in the first successful climb of Everest back in 1953.
And somewhat less majestically – but no less importantly – it boasts two large external pockets and one large internal pocket, all ideal places to store away provisions during your great next Spring excursion.
EXPLORE MORE OF COTTENHMAM.
These pieces are just four of dozens of garments inspired by the factory’s myriad colours.
We’ve taken inspiration from countless elements that make up our factory and the tools, materials and objects that can be found around Cottenham House – including its silver pattern cutters, golden air regulators, green fabric fusers, cream spools, green iron railings and much more.
The Coloured By Cottenham collection is a tribute to the place that enables our craft. It is designed to give you an insight into the factory, and all its nooks and crannies – and from them comes a range of exquisite pieces where every detail is considered. Find your colours for Spring, whatever it throws at you.
It’s an extraordinary place with an extraordinary heritage. And in this year’s Spring Collection, wherever you look, you’ll find traces of the factory in the clothing. From the textured brickwork that lines the walls to the soft blue ribbon that binds the fabrics, the silver scissors that cut every garment to the green railings that store them, every colour in the collection is based on a precise feature, detail or object found around the factory.
But the collection isn’t just about colour. The fit, comfort, style and durability of each piece has been crafted for all the occasions – and all the unpredictable weather – that this time of year brings.
MEET THE ROOF, RIBBON, BRICK AND SCISSOR-COLOURED HERO PIECES.
LET'S START OFF WITH THE FOUR HERO PIECES AT THE HEART OF THE COLLECTION.
1. THE ALABASTER RICHMOND REVERE JACKET. COLOURED BY THE ROOF THAT KEEPS OUR MAKERS DRY.
This jacket has been precision-engineered to stave off the elements.
Its showerproof silk-cotton blend forms an excellent barrier against the rain. Its five-button centre-front fastening can stand firm against tough winds. And the collar’s tight zig zag Van Dyke stitch makes it resistant to the wear and tear of sudden storms.
But practicalities aside, it’s also extremely elegant. The fit provides an unusual contrast: the relaxed silk drapes down loosely over the whole torso, but you can tighten it round the waist with a drawstring for a sharper cut in the middle.
Then there are the finer details you may not notice immediately, but you’ll certainly come to appreciate over time: the sateen inner lining, the real-horn British made buttons, the soft epaulettes perched atop the shoulders and the etched copper rivets on the back neck
A stunning piece from hem to collar, we’re particularly proud of all the work that’s gone into making it as beautiful and as durable as it can possibly be.
2. THE INK RICHMOND SILK MAC. COLOURED BY THE SMOOTH RIBBON THAT BINDS OUR FABRICS.
You can always tell a well-made jacket form how it feels. Like the Richmond Revere Jacket, the Silk Mac is a blend of 74% cotton, 5% silk and 1% elastane. And it’s this unique combination that gives it it an exceptional smoothness.
The cotton provides a plush softness, the silk creates an even, luxurious texture, and the elastane makes it exceptionally pliable. When you look at it, you can’t help but trace your fingers up and down the length of it.
It’s just as inviting to the eyes, too. It’s got a fashionably nonchalant fit that hangs over the knees, several intricate edge stitches that run along the length of the piece, and a host of beautifully crafted details like the real-horn buttons and copper rivets.
Together, all these elements combine to form a pristinely packaged piece of outerwear.
3. THE BRICK RED RUGBY SHIRT. COLOURED BY THE BRICKWORK THAT'S STOOD STRONG FOR 171 YEARS.
Uniquely, this shirt is made of 425g Japanese loopback cotton. Robust yet soft, it’s significantly more dense than standard jersey cotton, which usually comes in at around 300g.
Just like the walls of our factory, it’s been designed to endure and get better with age (albeit for decades, not centuries). In fact, the more you wear it, the more comfortable it becomes.
And for all the many years that it’ll be with you, there are plenty more features to explore, uncover and admire each time you wear it.
The buttons are made from Corozo, a nut derived from Ecuador that’s both durable and smooth. There’s a copper rivet that sits just above the hem, which is artfully branded with the PWVC initials. And there’s an eye-catchingly pointed herringbone stitching that shoots neatly up the length of the collar.
A masterpiece of a jersey that – as the name would suggest – is solid and built to last.
4. THE SLATE VENTILE® BOMBER. COLOURED BY THE SCISSORS USED TO HAND-CUT ALL OUR CLOTHING.
Our Slate Ventile® Bomber is a look that’s as sharp as the tools that created it. It includes a cropped fit that creates a more defined silhouette, a ribbed hem and collar that’s smooth to the touch, and five real-horn buttons – where no two of their natural patterns look the same.
Once you get past the immediate attraction, you also come to realise how handy and sturdy the jacket is, too. It’s made with 100% Ventile® cotton, a high-density, tightly woven textile that’s particularly weather-proof and was even used in the first successful climb of Everest back in 1953.
And somewhat less majestically – but no less importantly – it boasts two large external pockets and one large internal pocket, all ideal places to store away provisions during your great next Spring excursion.
EXPLORE MORE OF COTTENHAM
These pieces are just four of dozens of garments inspired by the factory’s myriad colours.
We’ve taken inspiration from countless elements that make up our factory and the tools, materials and objects that can be found around Cottenham House – including its silver pattern cutters, golden air regulators, green fabric fusers, cream spools, green iron railings and much more.
The Coloured By Cottenham collection is a tribute to the place that enables our craft. It is designed to give you an insight into the factory, and all its nooks and crannies – and from them comes a range of exquisite pieces where every detail is considered. Find your colours for Spring, whatever it throws at you.