Lavenham: the British heritage company that’s modern and traditional

Lavenham, the British heritage brand known for quilted jackets, opened its doors to us for a factory tour and we got to see a company that is quietly cool and confidently traditional.

It is easy to think of Lavenham as a country clothing label; it is, after all, known for quilting and horse rugs. But rarely is a brand worn by royalty and David Beckham, as well as the trendmakers in Dalston. Rather than just capitalise on this new “cool label,” the company remains steadfast in growing slowly to keep its traditional methods alive. We were able to watch as skilled staff worked in a family-like atmosphere and meticulously produced one of its classic Raylon jackets with what seems to be the same focus on making high quality, durable quilted clothing since the company started in 1969.  

Yes indeed, this heritage brand continues to keep British-made manufacturing alive by producing in the village of Lavenham where it gets its name. While other country wear brands have been grabbing the headlines with model associations, Lavenham has been quietly gaining a following as well as a list of über–cool collaborators. Think of names like Kenzo, Casley-Hayford, Paul Smith as well as the one that really surprised us, Cassette playa. 

Each collaboration topping the last; it is no wonder then that the column inches continue to stack up and Lavenham keeps making the “must-have” or “editors pick” lists.

As our Lavenham jackets continued to make their way down the production line from skilled person to skilled person, quality check to quality check, we gained a new found appreciation for the label. Once you see the level of skill and care taken, you begin understand why Lavenham continues to thrive as it does.

Asha Hai

For more information visit the Lavenham website here.