Each week, the Gazette takes to the streets to unearth something being manufactured right here in Hackney. This week we find out about London Tradition which manufactures traditional British fashion garments like duffle coats at its factory in Hackney Wick.
The company was founded by Mamun Chowdhury and Rob Huson 15 years ago, who already had over 50 years between them in the garment business.
The business comprises two elements, one of which is making coats for high-quality UK high street retailers, whose identity Rob will not disclose. The other is making its own brand. He estimates they produce between 800 and 1,000 coats a week at their HQ in Wallis Road.
Rob said: “Our own brand is sold in Japan – that’s our biggest market by far. The Japanese love anything authentically British, and it has to be made in the UK as well. A duffle coat, which is our major product, is a very English product and it’s made in London, so what’s not to like. Ironically we don’t sell a huge amount in the UK, but we do sell some.”
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