{{Short description|British clothing brand}} {{EngvarB|date=October 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} {{Infobox company | name = Henri-Lloyd Limited | foundation = 1963 by Henri Strzelecki | key_people = Angus Lloyd (founder)<br /> Henri Strzelecki (founder), Graham Allen (CEO) | hq_location_city = Manchester | hq_location_country = United Kingdom | industry = Clothing manufacturing, Retail | products = Clothing | revenue = | operating_income = | market capitalisation = | num_employees = | subsid = | homepage = {{url|henrilloyd.com}} }}
'''Henri Lloyd''' is a British clothing brand that specialised in sailing apparel and fashion for men and women. Established in Manchester in 1963, the company had 40 stores spanning the UK, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe.{{when|date=December 2018}} In June 2018, the brand, stock and 5 stores were acquired by Swedish investment firm, Aligro Group, and subsequently, the brand underwent a redesign and refocused on European sailors. In 2022 was acquired again by Monte Rosa Capital <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=WW |first=FashionNetwork com |title=Odlo buys Henri-Lloyd, brand to remain UK-based |url=https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/news/Odlo-buys-henri-lloyd-brand-to-remain-uk-based,1427016.html |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=FashionNetwork.com |language=en-WW}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Capital |first=Monte Rosa |title=Monte Rosa Capital |url=https://monterosacapital.com/henri-lloyd |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Monte Rosa Capital |language=nb-NO}}</ref>
==History== Henri-Lloyd Limited was founded in 1963 in Manchester by Henri Strzelecki, a Polish soldier who moved to Manchester to study textiles during the war, alongside his partner Angus Lloyd.<ref name=thenews>{{cite news|title=Founder of 'Henri Lloyd' clothing brand dies |url=http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/122650,Founder-of-Henri-Lloyd-clothing-brand-dies |work= thenews.pl at Polskie Radio |date=28 December 2012 |access-date=13 January 2013}}</ref>
A soldier in the Polish Army during World War II,<ref name=thenews/> Strzelecki was awarded both Polish and British military medals in 1946. He settled in Manchester at war's end and studied textiles and design before working with local clothing companies there.<ref name=thenews/> In time known as "Mr Henri" or "Waterproof Henry", Strzelecki was given the Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1985.<ref name=thenews/> Two Queen's Awards for Export Achievement followed in 1986 and 1987.
===Innovation=== Henri Lloyd pioneered the use of new technologies and fabrics such as Bri-Nylon (a nylon fabric that didn't fade - remaining bright) in its early clothing lines.<ref name=thenews/> Among its innovations were the first non-corrosive zipper made of nylon, the introduction of Velcro closures in waterproof garments, the hand taping of seams as an alternative to varnishing, and the incorporation of Gore-Tex waterproofing.
The use of Gore-Tex alone went through over 22,000 hours of round the world testing at sea before it was first sold to customers in Henri Lloyd high performance breathable foul weather gear 1994. In 2001 the company's TP3 Reflex Jacket and Hi-Fit Trouser won The DAME Design Award at the Marine Equipment Trade Show in Amsterdam.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2015/08/18/twenty-five-years-of-innovation/|title=Twenty-Five Years of Innovation|date=August 18, 2015|publisher=Scuttlebutt Sailing News|access-date=December 1, 2018}}</ref>
===Pioneers=== A Henri Lloyd Consort Jacket was worn by Sir Francis Chichester when he became the first person to sail single-handed around the world by the clipper route, and the fastest circumnavigator, in nine months and one day overall in 1966–67.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mwb-online.co.uk/Articles/Henri-Lloyd-redesigns-a-classic.aspx|title=MWB Home - UK Fashion B2B Magazine|website=www.mwb-online.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref>
Henri Lloyd oilskins were worn by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston when he became the first man to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe in 1969.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.covarimail.com/viewonline.lasso?id=1407|title='Lost' Robin Knox-Johnston photo archive discovered after 4 decades|website=www.covarimail.com|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref>
Sir Ranulph Fiennes and his crew wore Henri Lloyd foul weather gear on their Transglobe Expedition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bbn.firetrench.com/2012/11/henri-lloyd-50-years-of-originality|title=Henri Lloyd – 50 years of Originality {{!}} Broadly Boats News|website=bbn.firetrench.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref>
Chay Blyth and Naomi Jones both wore Henri Lloyd sailing clothing for their circumnavigations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/jan/23/henry-strzelecki|title=Henry Strzelecki obituary|last=Fisher|first=Bob|date=2013-01-23|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref>
===Corporate partnership=== alt=Nick Hutton smiling.|thumb|262x262px|A photograph of Nick Hutton, the Trimmer/Grinder for the Emirates Team GBR. In 2009, Henri Lloyd became the "Official Supplier of Clothing and Footwear Technology" of the Brawn GP Formula One Team as part of a commercial partnership.<ref name=thenews/>
Henri Lloyd have sponsored Sir Ben Ainslie since 1996 and were his first commercial sponsor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bbn.firetrench.com/2012/11/henri-lloyd-50-years-of-originality/|title=Henri Lloyd – 50 years of Originality {{!}} Broadly Boats News|website=bbn.firetrench.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref> It has also supported Shirley Robertson.<ref name=yachting2018 /> It has been the technical clothing supplier for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race since 2002 and for Land Rover BAR’s 2017 America’s Cup bid.<ref name=yachting2018 /> The sailing kit was developed in close collaboration with the Land Rover BAR team and featured a neoprene wetsuit long john and top.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boatinternational.com/luxury-yacht-life/lifestyle/henri-lloyd-unveils-land-rover-bar-americas-cup-kit--27079|title=Henri Lloyd unveils Land Rover BAR America's Cup kit|date=July 21, 2015|author=Zoe Dickens|website=Boat International|language=en|access-date=December 1, 2018}}</ref>
In 2017 the brand announced a 3-year sponsorship deal with the FAST40+ Class, providing bespoke sailing kit for the crew and a perpetual trophy for the FAST40+ Race Circuit.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://afloat.ie/sail/events/racing-update/item/34859-henri-lloyd-sailing-gear-teams-up-with-fast40-class|title=Henri Lloyd Sailing Gear Teams Up With Fast40+Class|last=Hall|first=Thoma|access-date=2018-09-12|language=en-gb}}</ref>
Henri Lloyd were one of the sponsors of Cowes Classics Week 2017, which includes a Henri Lloyd race day and trophy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowesclassicsweek.org/cowes-classics-week-news/622-pr-ccw-henri-lloyd-sponsorship|title=Cowes Classics Week - Henri Lloyd to sponsor Charles Stanley Direct Cowes Classics Week {{!}} Cowes Classics Week|website=www.cowesclassicsweek.org|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref>
In September 2018 Henri Lloyd continued its partnership with Sir Ben by announcing a partnership with Ineos Team UK in the pursuit of the 36th challenge of the America's Cup in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.fashionnetwork.com/news/Henri-Lloyd-to-relaunch-under-new-ownership-next-year,1039551.html|title=Henri Lloyd to relaunch under new ownership next year|author=Barbara Santamaria|date=November 29, 2018|website=uk.fashionnetwork.com|access-date=December 1, 2018}}</ref>
Henri Lloyd is the current official Performance Clothing Partner of the Americas Cup team, Ineos Britannia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Henri-Lloyd {{!}} Ineos Britannia {{!}} Official Outfitter of High-Performance Sailing Gear |url=https://www.henrilloyd.com/ineos-britannia-team-partnership |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=www.henrilloyd.com}}</ref> The brand also actively has a purpose led partnership with the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Henri-Lloyd {{!}} Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team {{!}} Partnership |url=https://www.henrilloyd.com/gbr-sailgp-team-partnership |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=www.henrilloyd.com}}</ref>
===Fashion=== Henri Lloyd first became known for fashion in 1984 when the Milan Scooter Society or ‘Paninaro' scene adopted the Henri Lloyd Consort Jacket as part of their uniform along with Levi 501 jeans and Timberland boots.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG3298997/Ex-directory-Henri-Lloyd.html|title=Ex-directory: Henri-Lloyd - Telegraph|website=fashion.telegraph.co.uk|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref><ref name="loading">{{Cite web|url=http://www.manchesterfashion.com/articles/ibuN26MfFSkJgaXB8|title=...loading|website=www.manchesterfashion.com|access-date=2018-09-12|archive-date=19 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619133546/http://www.manchesterfashion.com/articles/ibuN26MfFSkJgaXB8|url-status=dead}}</ref> Additionally, the brand was profoundly popular within the Madchester scene.
The mid-1990s saw the launch of Henri Lloyd Black Label, This Massimo Goggi designed collection linked Italian-inspired sportswear with technically innovative fabrics, helping the firm earn the Fashion Brand of the Year in the UK award in 1997.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/196734/Henri-Lloyd-Brand-Recognition|title=Henri Lloyd Brand Recognition|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref>
The Consort Jacket, first designed by Henri Strzelecki in 1965 has been redesigned for 2017 in a collection of 21 different editions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jacket-required.com/Brands/Exhibitor/Henri-Lloyd-Consort|title=Jacket Required - Premium Fashion Trade Show, London - July 2018|website=www.jacket-required.com|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref><ref name="loading"/>
In 2023 the brand announced the appointment of Scottish Menswear Designer Kestin Hare as Creative Director.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Henri-Lloyd {{!}} Creative Director {{!}} Kestin Hare |url=https://www.henrilloyd.com/stories/kestinhare |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=www.henrilloyd.com}}</ref>
===Change of Ownership=== Facing severe financial difficulties in early 2018 Henri Lloyd reduced costs and divested assets. In March 2018 they sold the Henri Lloyd brand and trademarks to Aligro Group, a Swedish investment firm.<ref name=yachting2018>{{cite web|url=https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/news/clothing-brand-henri-lloyd-goes-administration-65969|title=Henri Lloyd to relaunch in 2019|author=Katy Stickland|date=September 13, 2018|work=Yachting Monthly|access-date=December 1, 2018}}</ref>
On 8 June 2018 it was announced that the company had been put into administration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fashionunited.uk/news/business/henri-lloyd-acquired-out-of-administration/2018061230158|title=Henri Lloyd acquired out of administration|author=Vivian Hendriksz|date=June 12, 2018|website=FashionUnited|access-date=December 1, 2018}}</ref> Three days later it was announced that the company was purchased by Aligro Group. Altogether 128 jobs were lost, the company's Manchester office shuttered and the brand moved to be based in Sweden.
In September 2018 the firm announced a relaunch of all lines in 2019 with "25 styles for men and women. The products are adapted for one design sailing, keelboats and super yachts, with a focus on Northern European and Mediterranean sailors."<ref name=yachting2018 />
In 2022 the brand was acquired by Monte Rosa Capital.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{official website|http://henrilloyd.com}} {{-}}
Category:British brands Category:Clothing brands of the United Kingdom Category:Manufacturing companies based in Manchester Category:Clothing companies established in 1963 Category:Outdoor clothing brands Category:Sailing equipment manufacturers Category:2018 mergers and acquisitions Category:2022 mergers and acquisitions