Connolly
Connolly is a Londoner brand, founded in 1878 and specialized in leather goods. Nowadays it sells menswear and womenswear clothing, Scottish cashmere knitwear, leather goods and a Driving Collection inspired by its historical bond with automotive industry.
The bond with automotive industry
The history of Connolly started in 1878, when brothers John Joseph and Samuel Frederick Connolly began their activity as shoemakers; later, they specialized in saddle and harness restoration and then they began to personally acquire and work leather which they supplied coach-makers with. Success arrived in 1902, when Edward VII commissioned them the upholstery of the royal coach.
Then, when automotive industry started developing, Connolly followed it: it became a world-renowned high quality leather supplier and it collaborated with Rolls Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Maserati, Morgan, Aston Martin and Ferrari. Automotive division is still operating under the form of Connolly Brothers (Curriers), which is licensed by the main house.
Leathers by the company were also used for the House of Commons seats, the House of Lords ones, the British Library desks and the Concorde seats.
In 1995 the company understood that the name Connolly didn’t only interested car lovers, but it was appreciated in the whole England, so it decided to open a store, in Grosvenor Crescent Mews: it was designed by André Puttman and launched with a leather goods collection designed by Ross Lovegrove. Creative Direction was entrusted to Isabel Ettedgui.
In 2000 Joe Ettedgui, Isabel’s husband and founder of Joseph, acquired the brand; so a bigger flagship store opened in Conduit Street and brand offering was extended to clothing. But, in 2002 the company wasn’t able to face debts made to enter the USA market and was forced to close.
The rebirth
In 2010, after the failure and the death of Joe, Isabel decide to regrowth and renew all the brands of the group, so she gave Jonathan Connolly the license to produce again Connolly leather for automotive industry.
Comeback on markets was celebrated by the opening of a new store, whose interiors were designed by Gilles & Boissier; it was placed at 4 Clifford Street, exactly under the house of Creative Director Isabel. Here Connolly shows its collections, which are inspired by classical sportswear and manage to mix functionality, comfort and quality.
Jonathan Connolly
Nowadays, the Jonathan Connolly keeps on supplying high quality leathers to automotive industry and is concerned about customization: the company, indeed, cans customize leathers basing on individual necessities, restore classic cars and develop unique colors and textures, supporting client requirements.
In spite of its past experience in mass production, nowadays the company, which is always looking for new materials and innovations, prefers to focus on a niche market, where it can exalt natural qualities and variations of leather in the best way. And clients can appreciate them.
For decades, the signature product of the company was Vaumol leather: created during First World War and aimed at British soldiers boot production, it is characterized by an incredible strength and its water resistance.
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Contacts
4 Clifford Street, Londra
To read the item in Italian click here.
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