John Smedley: The World’s Finest Knitwear
“Established in 1784, John Smedley is the oldest continuously operating manufacturing factory in the world. They produce iconic, fine-gauge knitwear that has dressed everyone from the Royal Family to James Bond.”
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1. The Heritage
Located at the same site for over 235 years, John Smedley is the gold standard for British knitwear. They are world-renowned for their "Sea Island Cotton" and extra-fine Merino wool garments.
Each piece is a labour of love, involving a 35-step process and hand-finishing by local craftspeople. While others moved to mass-market synthetics, Smedley stayed true to natural fibres and artisanal techniques, earning them two Royal Warrants.
2. The Location
Their historic Lea Mills factory is situated in Matlock, Derbyshire, nestled in the same rolling hills where the company began during the Industrial Revolution.
3. The Difference
John Smedley is a leader in slow fashion. Their garments are designed to last decades, not seasons.
Sustainability: They champion "Slow Fashion" by using 100% natural, biodegradable fibres and recycled water from a local spring to wash the wool and they reduce their carbon footprint through solar energy and waste-reduction programs.
Durability: Every garment is hand-finished and designed to last decades rather than seasons, resisting the "pilling" and thinning common in high-street knitwear.
Community: The Lea Mills site is a major local employer, often with multiple generations of the same family working side-by-side to maintain Derbyshire’s textile legacy.
Standards: They have direct relationships with their wool growers in New Zealand and South Africa, ensuring ethical farming and animal welfare. They hold two Royal Warrants.
4. The Hero Products
The 'Isis' Polo Shirt - Their most famous silhouette, made from Sea Island Cotton with a distinctive 1930s-style collar.
Extra Fine Merino Pullovers - Incredibly soft, breathable, and surprisingly durable sweaters that work as well in an office as they do on a weekend walk.
The 'Bobby' V-Neck - A cinematic classic (famously worn by Daniel Craig’s Bond), showcasing their signature fine-gauge knit.
5. The Essentials
Accreditations: Holder of two Royal Warrants. UKFT member.
