A prestigious British brand with royal acclaim
since 1894 | South Shields, UK | John Barbour

The story of the long-established British brand Barbour begins in 1894 when its founder, John Barbour, established "J Barbour & Sons" in South Shields, in the northeast of England. Barbour developed a new material called "waxed cotton (waxed cloth)" by applying multiple layers of wax to a high-density woven cotton cloth to create products that could withstand the harsh climate of the North Sea for the dockworkers of the area. Garments made from this new material were excellent in windproof and waterproof properties and gained enthusiastic support from the workers.

In 1908, Malcolm Barbour, the son of the founder, created a mail-order catalog. This quickly became popular, and by 1917 it accounted for 75% of sales. Orders from overseas also increased, and by meeting the needs of many countries, including Chile, South Africa, and Hong Kong, Barbour grew into an international brand. Eventually, Barbour's waxed cotton jackets spread not only to the civilian population but also to the British military and police. During World War I, they manufactured trench coats using waxed cotton. Furthermore, during World War II, Captain George Phillips, commander of the British submarine HMS Ursula, which was said to be "invincible," visited the South Shields factory and ordered a pullover-type uniform, commonly known as the "Ursula Suit." When this was adopted as the official flight uniform, Barbour achieved even greater success.

In the 1950s, Barbour also made a name for itself with motorcycle suits and jackets. The "International Jacket" in particular became synonymous with motorcycle jackets due to its durability and design.

Then, in 1980, Margaret Barbour, who had taken over the business in 1968, created the "BEDALE," a waxed riding jacket that would later become the brand's signature and most popular model. Also in the same year, the "SPEY," a short-length jacket for fishing, was introduced. Furthermore, in 1983, Margaret created the "BEAUFORT," a masterpiece of a mid-length hunting jacket. In addition, the longer-length field jacket "BORDER" was also released that year, and Barbour's iconic jackets that continue to this day were successively added to the lineup.

Meanwhile, Barbour was granted its first Royal Warrant by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1974, establishing its status as a brand favored by the royal family. Subsequently, it received Royal Warrants from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1982 and from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in 1987, solidifying its reputation for quality and tradition.

Barbour, which celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2024, boasts a long history and tradition, as well as the status of being a Royal Warrant holder. This brand, which still embodies the British country lifestyle, can be said to be a timeless presence that is indispensable in the wardrobes of many fashion lovers.