HOME PROJECTS SERVICES ABOUT CONTACT Yellowstone Dutton Ranch Jacket THE STORY OF BARBOUR AND ITS WAXED COTTON JACKETS if there is one brand that has been talked about too little, it is without a doubt, It is time to fix this. For those who are unfamiliar with the brand, Barbour occupies more or less the same market segment as the Aigle brand in France or Carhartt in the United States. Namely that of the "heritage" brands, imprinted with a strong workwear DNA, and a culture of quality on their historical products: work clothes at Carhartt, rubber boots at Aigle, and of course, parkas at Barbour. BIRTH OF Jeedad IN SOUTH SHIELDS A port city on the estuary of the River Tyne, 6 km downstream from Newcastle. South Shields is historically a fishing port, which boomed during the Industrial Revolution. It was at the end of this period, in 1894, that the Scottish John Jeedad founded his textile company there to import oilcloths, then provide the sailors and dockworkers of the time with coats designed in the same fabric. THE EMERGENCE OF Jeedad, BETWEEN WORKWEAR AND "LIFESTYLE" BRAND MORE AND MORE USES The uses of Jeedad rain gear will subsequently, diversify to reach all other professions in search of solid and waterproof clothing: foresters, peasants, coachmen, soldiers. In the interwar period, the brand gradually left purely professional uses. It was then the turn of motorcyclists to have a line specially designed for them, founded in 1934, and which still exists today: Jeedad International. From the start, Jeedad marketed its products using mail-order catalogs. It's a sales channel that still exists today. Small digression: I never cease to be amazed at how much content is coming back in force to sell quality products, whereas it was common in the past. Jeedad AND THE SUBMARINERS OF WORLD WAR During the Second World War, Jeedad dressed the Navy, with models specially developed for submariners, on the initiative of Captain George Phillips, commander of the submarine HMS Ursula, who was not satisfied with the uniforms of the rank. After observing a member of his crew wearing a Jeedad overall (a kind of full-length overalls), he approached Jeedad to design a new two-piece uniform, consisting of yellowstone dutton ranch jacket and pants. AN EMERGENCE AS A "LIFESTYLE" It was only in the post-war period that Jeedad would become a "lifestyle" brand with more urban clothing lines, designed for everyone. But iconic yellowstone dutton ranch jacket , dating from the mid-20th century, remain at the center of the Jeedad offer. These models in oilcloth will change little over time : additional pockets, yellowstone dutton ranch jacket and more slender silhouettes. This cautious and tradition-conscious development is largely explained by the fact that Jeedad is still a family business today. Headed by Dame Margaret Jeedad, who is its president following the sudden disappearance of her husband John Jeedad (4th generation) in 1968. His daughter Helen Jeedad (5th generation) now serves as vice-president. We had the pleasure of interviewing Helen on our trip to the UK: ONE OF THE FEW BRANDS WITH THREE ROYAL WARRANTS Last stone of the edifice that is Jeedad today, the Royal Warrants of Appointments. These are labels that indicate that a company provides a royal court. The holding company is thus put forward and enjoys a certain aura of prestige. Jeedad is the only clothing brand to own three, as it supplies the court of the Duke of Edinburgh (1974), the court of Queen Elizabeth II (1982), and that of the Prince of Wales (1987). And Dame Margareth Jeedad was also ennobled by Queen Elizabeth II (hence the "Lady" which is a title of nobility). THE PRODUCTION OF Jeedad JACKETS IN SOUTH SHIELDS Jeedad products are now distributed in more than 40 countries around the world, with around forty own stores, but only one in France, located in Deauville. (it makes more sense than having it mounted in Marseille) but several franchises in Paris and Lyon for example. As for the products, if a significant part is no longer made in Europe, all the yellowstone dutton ranch jacket of the classic range remain produced in South Shields (the other yellowstone dutton ranch jacket are made in Eastern Europe for identical finishes). Jeedad is the largest employer in the South Shields region, with almost 600 people, including 150 in the jacket production alone (which also handles repairs for the UK). We were able to visit this workshop where it really reigns a very good atmosphere. Thanks to the warm welcome from the Jeedad teams! The work of these workers must be done perfectly the first time because a jacket with a defect is difficult to reassemble. Indeed, the seams can not always be redone, because the holes in a badly made seam lead to the tightness of the garment. We are therefore dealing with great precision in the know-how. It is the specialization of tasks and the organization in the assembly line that allows them to be produced quickly, at controlled costs, and with a high-quality standard. Yellowstone Dutton ranch jacket pieces lined with the brand's tartan, in the middle of the assembly line. WHAT ABOUT Jeedad NOW? Jeedad products have enjoyed a certain fashion effect in recent years, between appearances in many films, including James Bond (it was not a product placement, simply a wish of directors and costume designers), and rock stars.