There are many reasons to be proud of being British: we’re an innovative bunch and home to some great achievements and even greater individuals- think of Isaac Newton, Jonny Wilkinson. Whilst I’m sure you don’t need a running commentary on these famous names, your knowledge of the luxury heritage brands that helped put the Great into Great Britain might be a little bit patchy however.
First up is Harrods, arguably the king of all luxury department stores, but its humble beginning way back in 1834 was very different. So different in fact, that it wasn’t even located in the super glamorous, super expensive surroundings of Knightsbridge: Back when Charles Henry Harrod, a wholesale grocers, set up shop it was actually based in the East End of London. Fifteen years later, Harrods made the move across town to Knightsbridge, but even then it was only a one room shop, a far cry from today’s five storey behemoth visited by millions of people.
Did you know? Harrods had the world’s first escalator. In 1898 the ‘moving staircase’ (made from leather!) was so terrifying to unfamiliar shoppers that they were offered a brandy at the top to help them recover from their ordeal.
Next up, Fortnum and Mason. A favourite amongst the royals, Fortnum and Mason was the brainchild of entrepreneur Hugh Mason and builder William Fortnum, who just so happened to also be a footman in Queen Anne’s household. This duo had the idea to sell Queen Anne’s half used candle wax for profit which saw the launch of Fortnum and Mason.
Did you know? Fortnum and Mason were also the inventors of the Scotch egg, way back in 1738! This was initially created as food for long distance travellers. We’re not sure your commute to the office counts as ‘long distance’ but we’ll let you off.
Source: http://www.fredperry.com/blog/tag/History
Last, but by no means least, is the legendary Fred Perry. You might be fooled into thinking it all started with the synonymous polo shirt, but the Fred Perry empire started with the first ever sweat band. Although back in the 1940s Perry was using simple gauze tape to protect his racquet’s handle from perspiration, this caught Austrian footballer, Tibby Wegner’s attention. They started to work together and the first ever sweat band was launched: a bit odd really, we never had the Austrians down as big sweaters…
Did you know? If Perry had his own way you’d be looking at a smoking pipe rather than the infamous laurel logo. However Wegner advised against using a photo of Perry’s beloved smoking pipe, saying that the ladies may not like it!
So there you have it- the pillars of Britain’s luxury heritage. Of course, we’ve spared you the Cornerstone story- you know enough about us already…