For nearly two centuries, British heritage brand Holland & Holland has been known for offering luxury and performance in the field. One of the leading manufacturers of sporting shotguns and rifles since its foundation in 1835, the company has earned a reputation for innovation and excellence, holding Royal Warrant from both King George V and Queen Elizabeth II. And now, the label has debuted a new fine cloth that encapsulates its esteemed shotguns.
Emmanuel Guegan, Clothing and Accessories Manager at Holland & Holland said, “How do you convey the essence of a Holland & Holland, a fabled British handmade firearm, into its most natural and legitimate companion, the tweed garment? This was the challenge we set ourselves 24 months ago, morphing and weaving the hues and subtleties of our case hardening, gold inlays and deeply oiled walnut stocks into a fabric that honors the Holland & Holland legacy. Subtle yet rich, elegant yet strong; our House Tweed sets a new benchmark for sartorial elegance in the field.”
This tweed draws inspiration from the colors found in the marque’s prized shotguns, think warm tones of walnut and steely blue that nods to the metalwork, golden highlights that allude to the precious metal inlays, and topped with the trademark racing green. As Emmanuel explains, “The idea was: if Harris Holland had created a tweed fabric in 1835 to showcase next to his shotguns and rifles, what would it be and look like?”
Developed in collaboration with Lovat Mill in Scotland, which is another signal of manufacturing excellence, the tweed is crafted from 100% wool at a 14 oz weight. Alan Cumming of Lovat Mill, commented, “We rarely develop a new tweed with such a rich backstory and provenance. Our vision was unanimous, a fusion of tradition, craftsmanship and artistry. This shared approach shines through in the material – perfectly soft, reliably durable, and, above all, strikingly beautiful.”
Of course, keeping production local is also a sustainability minded decision, “It means for us that besides being a proprietary and exclusive fabric that defines Holland & Holland as a Bespoke House, we also have one of the smallest carbon footprints of the industry. Collaborating with skilled artisans and producing within the British Isles is part and parcel of the Holland & Holland ethos,” says Emmanuel.
Woven for durability, natural warmth and fine quality, this tweed features across the marque’s Northwood, Harrow and Highgrove lines, and been tailored into everything from field coats and shooting vests, to trousers, skirts and flat caps, each piece expected to last season after season, a signature trait of this beloved brand.
It’s also been designed to mix and match with other pieces, talking of the line Emmanuel says, “It is intrinsically Holland & Holland, has a strong visual identity that connects the world of textile and soft goods with our 190 years old gun making and hard goods DNA. A performant and elegant distinctive fabric made for the sporting field and the great British outdoors.”
Holland & Holland’s new House Tweed is now available across selected lines at the marque’s Gun Rooms as well as the Holland & Holland Shooting Ground in Northwood, London, and online at hollandandholland.com.