Turnbull & Asser

Last updated

Turnbull & Asser Limited
Company type Private
Industry Clothing
Founded1885;139 years ago (1885)
FoundersJohn Arthur Turnbull
Ernest Asser
Headquarters
London, W1
United Kingdom
Number of locations
 London (2)
New York (1)
Products Shirts, knitwear, suits, accessories, hosiery
Services Bespoke, made-to-measure, ready-to-wear
Website turnbullandasser.com

Turnbull & Asser is a British men's clothing shop offering bespoke and made-to-measure garments. The company was established in 1885 and currently has its flagship store on Jermyn Street in the St James's area of London and its bespoke store around the corner on Bury Street. In addition to the two London stores, the company has a shop in New York City.

Contents

History

The business was founded as a hosiery under the name "John Arthur Turnbull" in 1885 by John Arthur Turnbull and Ernest Asser, "at the time, a hosier and salesman, respectively". [1] It was established in the St James neighbourhood of London, as the area was the site of numerous clubs and high-end haberdashers. The name was changed to "Turnbull & Asser" in 1895. [1]

In 1903, after continued success and the passing of John Turnbull, the company moved to its present location at 71-72 Jermyn Street. [1] In 1915, during World War I, Turnbull & Asser developed a raincoat which doubled as a sleeping bag for the British military. It is known as the Oilsilk Combination Coverall & Ground Sheet. [2]

Between the 1920s and the 1970s, Turnbull & Asser grew its London business from a haberdashery to a clothier, expanding into sportswear, clothing (both bespoke and ready-to-wear), and ready-to-wear shirts. As its symbol, it used a hunting horn with a "Q" above, called the Quorn, after the 'The Quorn Hunt', one of the oldest hunts in England. Many of Turnbull & Asser's articles were called by this name, such as the "Quorn scarf".

During the 1960s, Turnbull & Asser was known for catering to the Swinging London set, with vibrant colours and modern designs. In 1962, Turnbull & Asser provided shirts and ties for the film adaptation of author Ian Fleming's Dr.No. [3] [4] James Bond, as first portrayed by Sean Connery, whose dress shirts had turnback cuffs fastened with buttons as opposed to cufflinks, referred to as "cocktail cuffs" or "James Bond cuffs". [2] Turnbull & Asser also provided the shirts for some of the subsequent films in the series, including those featuring Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. [4] [5]

In the 1970s and 1980s, Turnbull & Asser began reviving some of the more traditional aspects of its business. Once it discovered Americans were increasingly buying its wares, it began offering trunk shows at the Grand Hyatt in New York City. Beginning in 1974, the company sold ready-to-wear shirts in the United States through department stores Bonwit Teller and Neiman Marcus. For a brief period, beginning in 1979, Turnbull & Asser operated a small store in Toronto. A Beverly Hills location was opened in 2003 and closed several years later. In 2016, another shop, in New York, was opened at the World Trade Center station, and this also closed. [6]

In February 2018, Turnbull & Asser posted a 1.2 Million pound loss, [7] leading to a £1m equity injection from its owner, Ali Fayed. [8]

Royal Warrant

Charles III has bought shirts from Turnbull & Asser since his youth. When, in 1980, the then Prince of Wales was granted the power of bestowing royal warrants, his first issue was granted to Turnbull & Asser. [9] He also wears Turnbull & Asser suits, made by the former Chester Barrie factory in Crewe, Cheshire. Following the retirement of Paul Cuss, the Royal Warrant was passed down to Steven Quin, who currently heads the bespoke department in Bury Street.

Today

Shirts and ties are still made in its Gloucester factory. [10]

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Turnbull & Asser dedicated its Gloucester workroom to making medical-grade uniforms for National Health Service personnel. [11]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Behind the brand: Turnbull & Asser". Gentlemans Journal Shop. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Turnbull & Asser Review" . Retrieved 4 July 2006.
  3. ↑ Spaiser, Matt (6 February 2023). "Bond Wardrobe Review 1: Dr. No (1962)". Bond Suits.
  4. 1 2 "From cocktail cuffs to frilled fronts, a brief history of James Bond's shirts". Gentleman's Journal. 20 May 2022.
  5. ↑ "T&A Legends – Part One: Film". 4 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "T&A OPENS AT THE WESTFIELD WORLD TRADE CENTER". 16 August 2016.
  7. ↑ "Profits slip slightly at Royal shirt-maker Turnbull & Asser". 28 November 2018.
  8. ↑ "Turnbull & Asser receives investment as losses widen". 30 November 2018.
  9. ↑ "Turnbull & Asser: Royal Warrant". Turnbull & Asser. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  10. ↑ "Turnbull & Asser: The best of British". The Telegraph. London. 2 September 2011. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  11. ↑ Lerma, Martin (8 April 2020). "Turnbull & Asser Is Now Making Medical-Grade Scrubs for Britain's NHS". Robb Rerport. Retrieved 21 August 2020.

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