Private White VC - menswear made in Manchester

I've been wanting to find out more about Private White V.C. since the early days of this blog. For me, it ticks all the boxes; British manufacture, exciting menswear (and now womenswear too) design, a range made for all ages (see their advertising images in this post), a fascinating history and a wonderful name. 

I was delighted to be invited to visit their Manchester factory recently and I followed that up by seeing their London store and going to a viewing of their AW14 collection (which I'll cover in a future post).

Private White VC garments come machined with a smile - image Grey Fox

Private White was a real person; he volunteered in the First World War, won a V.C. fighting in Gallipoli and returned to Manchester to work in and eventually own a clothing factory which is now overseen partly by his great grandson, James Eden.

Brutus keeps an eye on things, ensuring everything is British to the core - image Grey Fox

PWVC's collection is designed by Nick Ashley. I love the outdoor/military/motorsport/casual approach using British materials - tweeds, Ventile, cottons - all put together by a wonderful workforce at the factory (also called Cooper & Stollbrand who manufacture for other high street and fashion names). Their extensive archive is packed with clothing of all sorts where I could have spent many hours browsing the evidence of past years of creativity and style.

More smiles at PWVC - image Grey Fox

On my visit, I enjoyed talking to the machinists and other workers whose skills give the clothing a palpable spirit and character. What's produced here are clothes we should be proud to wear. How much more value and interest is there in a garment made in this way in Manchester, than an overpriced designer item made anonymously overseas? Brands like this should be household names in the UK. 

Part of the extensive archive at Private White VC - image Grey Fox

There's an outerwear/casual emphasis to the collection, but new items are being added all the time and I look forward to keeping an eye on future developments.  A man often likes to know where his clothes are made and what fabrics they are constructed from. A rich heritage adds to this interest. Private White V.C. provides all this in bucket-loads. I don't yet own any of their clothing, but I will be putting that right soon.

These are grown up clothes for all ages of men of style - image PWVC

Private White V.C. are opening a shop at their Manchester factory. If you're in London, visit their store in Lamb's Conduit Street. They also sell their clothes online here. Look out for their new womens' range too. To read more about Private White himself, click here.

Brutus is a model too! image PWVC

Above images PWVC