Black Sheep of Ingworth, Great Britain

"Wool cardigan, coup with the roof up, fugitive harbouring"

-Ab Liva

Now you know I can't just totally bite my man Jake's style, but I couldn't help it as I was listening to the Re-Up Gang and I found this beauty. Anyways these gray wool cardigans by Black Sheep are gorgeous. The oiled wool comes from Ingworth, Great Britain. Unsurprisingly these wonderfully made pieces are made in the UK but found in Japan, like a lot of great items lately. Great spot by James at Secret Forts. It would be very interesting for a shop to take a lesson from the Japanese market and take advantage of all of these companies making great products on shore. Brand your shop well, buy smart, do it properly and see what happens. It wouldn't be too difficult to execute well, but I wonder if it would work in North America. Would people here still find it as cool?

Comments

[Simon]

I think the main problem is that most buyers have to consider sell through and cost price, not just how great the product is. Japan has always had a market for these brands, they have so many sub-cultures and an appreciation of classicism. There are stores in the UK that aspire to this template but their customer base is relatively small. I would assume the same is true in the US and Canada.

Ultimately these kind of brands have existed for years as non-fashion items and will continue to do so beyond current trends. They may eventually end up in stores but by the time they do will things have moved on? I hate to say it and it shouldn't matter but the more accessible something is, the less coveted it becomes.

Would people still find it as cool? To begin with maybe, but not for long enough and I think that's the risk on the business side. It's quite sad really but we only have ourselves to blame.

[David Buckley]

Albam (www.albamclothing.com) in the UK seem to be taking that very approach. They're partnering with some classic British brands, sourcing their own product from established and traditional UK manufacturers, and getting the odd few pieces from oversees. It seems to be a recipe that's working for them, which makes you wonder why it couldn't work elsewhere.

[chad]

Here's the direct link to Black Sheep knitwear, if you want to pick one up without turning Japanese.

http://www.blacksheep.ltd.uk/jerseys.html

[Patrick]

Oi Polloi in Manchester (www.oipolloi.com) are also doing a pretty good job, they and Albam have most things covered to be fair.

[Simon]

Albam has followed the same model as Margaret Howell, redefining classics for a modern market. They do this very well but buying in brands is much more difficult as profit margins are lower. Oi Polloi do a fine job, as do Garbstore, but achieving longevity can be difficult. It's not impossible but you have to keep things moving, evolving your stock list is vital.

[robbo]

I agree with simon about oi polloi, but not garbstore i think their own stuff is poor and is made in china.

you can not fault albam they have been very clever and the quality is brillant and the price is right as well

Margaret howell is just too expensive

[dan.p]

yeah Ab liva!