Hainsworth provides uniform fabrics to Queen's guards

02 Jul '12

4 min read

Apart from the British Grenadiers and their comrades, the doeskin is worn by ceremonial troops as far apart as Canada (yes, the Mounties wear Hainsworth), Norway, Denmark and Malaysia, where that country’s finest parade about in a shade of bright yellow. The mill is an essential resource for military re-enactment groups, including American Civil war enthusiasts. Hainsworth produced the cloth for a replica of Stonewall Jackson’s uniform that’s displayed in the general’s museum.

Hainsworth’s robust worsted double baratheas and cavalry twills are reliable favourites with British bespoke tailors and the famous doeskin has even found its way on to the designer catwalks with Patrick Grant’s E Tautz line having a bright yellow pea coat in its last winter collection.

To escape the anonymity of parade grounds, pool tables and piano recitals, Hainsworth is slowly building a portfolio of consumer brands for its goods. The most curious is Natural Legacy, which is the name for the heavily felted wool coffins introduced in 2009. The wool, from British flocks, covers a recycled cardboard frame and the entire product, like its occupant, is biodegradable. The inspiration came from ancient practice of wrapping corpses of the wealthy in wool shrouds. Wool is antimicrobial and it helped prevent the smell being too obnoxious when family tombs were opened to add the most recently deceased.

More cheerfully, with the stylish living in mind, this year Hainsworth launched Scarlet & Argent, a lifestyle brand that uses the inherent skills of the mill to produce luxurious blankets and throws. The marketing at present is biased towards the feminine. We await with great interest the arrival of more Hainsworth products for men who appreciate a Made in England label.

Hainsworth

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