Ledbury

Posted in Men's Fashion | 0 comments

After years in London Ledbury’s founders acquired a healthy addiction for the tailoring of Savile Row and the shirting of Jermyn Street. On their trips back to the States they were always frustrated by the lack of offerings in menswear. Big name men’s retailers created formless and baggy clothes and high fashion brands charged exorbitant prices. It seemed like there was a real need for a brand that offered European quality, English fit and American style; all at an attainable price.

The idea became somewhat of an obsession while the founders of Ledbury were at business school in Oxford, leading to some sleepless nights, some bizarre early designs and a back of the envelope business plan. But, in the end, the idea was shelved as the founders focused their attention on careers in finance. Then, the day after graduation, one of the world’s largest investment banks collapsed, the economy headed south and plans changed.

There was obviously a little panic, but also an opportunity. And on a day when Paul (one of the founders) should have been interviewing, Paul walked to Jermyn Street, approached one of London’s premier shirtmakers and told him that he wanted to learn the art of shirt making. The tailor clearly thought Paul was an insane American (perhaps still does), but agreed to meet for a beer. One pint turned into four, one meeting turned into three and eventually the tailor said yes.

For the better part of a year, nights were spent sleeping on friends’ couches (forever indebted) and days learning the ins and outs of shirt making. Life went from crunching excel spreadsheets to measuring cuffs and collars. And after countless attempts, they came up with a shirt that was not only a great fit and of the highest quality, but also added some innovation to the classic men’s design.

The response to the first collection was overwhelmingly positive. And after a couple of late nights naively romanticizing entrepreneurship the founders Paul and Paul pulled together their heavily depleted finances and launched the business. In those early days, without a workspace, they would meet in the back of a pub on Ledbury Road in London’s Notting Hill. It was there where they slowly pieced together what you see today.

Growing up in Virginia and Louisiana the founders felt that anything created would somehow be influenced by their roots in the Southeast. Today, Ledbury is headquartered in a renovated tobacco warehouse in Richmond, Virginia and enjoying every minute of the experience.

Ledbury hopes you enjoy their work and as always, they welcome your comments and suggestions. The goal is to build a brand based on their core values of great fit and superb quality. Ledbury truly appreciates your getting involved.

- Paul and Paul, Founders

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