Barbour

Barbour is a historic British brand, known globally for its high-quality and durable outerwear, particularly its iconic waxed cotton jackets. The brand's roots extend back to 1894, when it was founded in South Shields, England by John Barbour. Initially, Barbour specialized in producing oilskins for fishermen, sailors, and dockworkers to protect them from the harsh North Sea weather. This focus on functional durability and quality has remained a cornerstone of the Barbour brand ethos to this day.

Barbour has remained a family-owned business for over a century, currently under the fifth-generation of the Barbour family. Dame Margaret Barbour, who took over the company in 1968 after her husband's death, currently serves as the company's Chairman, while her daughter Helen Barbour is the Vice Chairman.

Beyond their practicality, Barbour products, especially the waxed jackets, have become a symbol of British country style. The brand gained international fame when in 1980, the Barbour waxed cotton jacket was worn by the British royal family during a trip to Balmoral, and has since been a staple in their outdoor wardrobes. Today, Barbour offers a broad range of clothing, accessories and footwear for men, women, and children, and has collaborated with a range of designers and brands for special collections.

In terms of sustainability, Barbour has begun to integrate responsible practices into their business operations. They have a repair service for their classic wax jackets, encouraging customers to choose repair over replacement and extending the life cycle of their products. Barbour also uses responsibly sourced down and feathers for its insulated garments.