Kangol

‘K’ stands for silk, ‘ang’ for angora, and ‘ol’ for wool, which are the three materials that the French milliner Jacques Spreiregen proposed to use in the manufacturing of berets when he started his business in 1938 in Cleator, in the northeast of England. Initially his hats were worn the area’s students, but with the outbreak of the Second World War, Kangol became one of the official suppliers to the army. Kangol is particularly renowned for contributing to the image of the General Marshal Montgomery with his proverbial beret, still in the Collection and familiarly called “Monty”. In the post-war period, the company diversified the production, specializing in golf hats, felt hats, and women’s hats. It entered the fashion market thanks to the artistic director, Graham Smith, who conquered the interest of Liz Taylor, Joan Collins, and Princess Margaret. In the 1960s Kangol created a line for Mary Quant. Kangol also obtained the rights to commercialize some models with the writing “Beatles,” naturally in swinging London style. In the following decade, rappers chose it spontaneously, turning it into a symbol of belonging. It was in the 1980s that the brand began a international ascent, licensing Collections of shoes, bags, watches, sunglasses, and stationery. The company, which in the mid 1990s employed 1,000 workers, has branches in England, the USA, South Africa, and China.