Drake's is a British menswear haberdasher founded in 1977 by Michael Drake. Manufacturing in East London, Drake’s produces men’s accessories and shirting, and is predominantly known for its ties.
 | |
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Genre | Brand |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Michael Drake |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Products | Luxury British goods |
| Services | Fashion made in England |
| Owners | Mark Cho & Michael Hill |
| Website | www.drakes.com |
History edit
Drake's was founded in 1977 by three former Aquascutum employees: Michael Drake, Jeremy Hull, and Isabel Dickson.[1] The original Drake’s collection was composed of men’s scarves.[2] Drake’s went on to produce handmade ties and pocket squares, for which it is now known.
When Michael Drake retired in 2010, Drake's was acquired and taken over by Michael Hill,[3] Michael Drake’s previous understudy and lead designer, and Mark Cho,[4] co-founder of The Armoury[5] haberdashers in Hong Kong.
Collaborations edit
Drake's has collaborated with Fred Perry,[6] Adam Dant,[7] Nackymade Glasses, J.Crew,[8] Aimé Leon Dore,[9] Private White VC,[10] and Royal College of Arts.[11]
Locations edit
On 20 May 2011 Drake’s opened its retail shop at 3 Clifford Street,[12] London. Formally the home of an art and antiques gallery, it is situated just between Savile Row and Bond Street. The interior of the store features Harris Tweed armchairs, wood floors and cabinetry from the Natural History Museum.
In April 2013, Drake’s moved its tie factory to 3 Haberdasher Street,[13] London. Drake’s combined all aspects of the Drake’s business under one roof; the factory, design studio, showroom, warehouse, head office and Factory Shop.
In July 2013 Drake's acquired the Rayner and Sturges[14] shirt factory[15] in Chard, Somerset. In doing so, Drake's has inherited a workforce of 35 producing handmade, bespoke and ready-to-wear shirts.
As well as producing private label, Michael Hill relaunched the historic Cleeve shirting brand,[16] owned by Rayner and Sturges, and introduced the first capsule collection of ready-to-wear shirts into the Drake's store on 3 Clifford Street and online.
In 2022 Drake’s opened a store on Canal Street in New York a few blocks from Aimé Leon Dore.[17][18][19]
Awards and honors edit
Drakes has won several awards for prestige in its area such as Queen's Award for Export[20] and the UK Fashion Export Gold Award.[21]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "THE HISTORY OF DRAKE'S". Permanent Style. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
- ^ "Drake's Kelim Print Scarf". Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- ^ "Creative Director Michel Hill".
- ^ "Owner Mark Cho".
- ^ "The Armoury New York".
- ^ "Drakes x Fred Perry". Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- ^ "Drakes x Adam Dant".
- ^ "Drake's is Now Collaborating with J.Crew". The Cut.
- ^ "Drake's x Aimé Leon Dore | Drake's". www.drakes.com. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- ^ "Drakes x Private White".
- ^ "Drakes x Royal College Of Arts".
- ^ "Flagship store".
- ^ "Tie Factory and Factory Store". Archived from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- ^ "Rayner and Sturges". Archived from the original on 29 July 2014.
- ^ "Shirt Factory".
- ^ "Cleeve shirting".
- ^ Stanley, Jack (29 October 2021). "Drake's Opens "Open Studio" Retail Space in New York". Hypebeast.
- ^ TWARDZIK, Eric (26 September 2022). "How Drake's Went From English Tie-Maker to One of Global Menswear's Most Exciting Brands". Robb Report.
- ^ GARNER, STEPHEN (1 November 2021). "DRAKE'S UNVEILS POP-UP CONCEPT STORE IN NYC". MR Magazine.
- ^ "Queen's Award for Export". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- ^ "UK Fashion Export Gold Award".