JOHN SMEDLEY
STORY SO FAR
The world's oldest continuously operating knitwear factory, founded at Lea Mills near Matlock in Derbyshire's Derwent Valley in 1784 by Peter Nightingale (great-uncle of Florence Nightingale and former accountant to Richard Arkwright) together with John Smedley senior. The mill began life spinning cotton; by the 1820s under John Smedley II it had diversified into spinning fine merino, knitting and finished garments — including the early woollen underwear that became its first export hit. By the late 19th century the company had pioneered fully-fashioned fine-gauge knitwear, refined further in the 20th century with iconic Sea Island cotton polo shirts and Merino jumpers worn by everyone from royalty to mods. John Smedley holds a Royal Warrant. Still family-owned after eight generations and still based at Lea Mills, Derbyshire — the same site as 1784.
DESIGNED BY
John Smedley — design and manufacturing at Lea Mills, near Matlock, Derbyshire, UK
MADE BY
Every garment is knitted, finished and labelled 'Made in England' at Lea Mills, Derbyshire, where the factory has run continuously since 1784 — the oldest operational knitwear factory in the world. The signature yarns are Merino wool and Sea Island cotton (the latter sourced from the Caribbean, where it grows; this is intrinsic to the fibre, not an offshoring choice). Garment manufacture is fully UK.
TO BUY
Further information
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Smedley_(brand)
Further research reading
Region Made
Lea Mills, near Matlock, Derbyshire
