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Barbour History

A History of J Barbour & Sons

The Barbour Timeline

Barbour label
  1. 1894

    - The founder John Barbour opens J Barbour & Sons in 5 Market Place, South Shields

  2. 1908

    - Malcolm Barbour, John Barbour’s son, produced the first mail order catalogue. By 1917 the catalogue accounted for almost 75% of Barbour’s business including international orders from as far away as Chile, South Africa and Hong Kong.

  3. 1912

    - J Barbour & Sons became J Barbour & Sons Ltd with John Barbour as Chairman and his sons Jack and Malcolm as joint Managing directors.

  4. 1918

    - John Barbour died on 7 July 1918 and was succeeded by Jack Barbour.

  5. 1934

    - Duncan Barbour, himself a keen motorcyclist introduced amotorcycling range which quickly took off and Barbour suits were worn by virtually every British International team from 1936 to 1977 when Barbour pulled out of the motorcycle clothing market.

  6. 1939 - 1945

    - Duncan Barbour was called away to war and Malcolm Barbour and Duncan’s wife Nancy took over the running of the business. They developed the Ursula suit which became standard issue for members of the Submarine Service. The Ursula suit was named after the U-class submarine, Ursula whose commander Captain George Philips was instrumental in getting the suits produced.

Barbour artwork
  1. 1957

    - Duncan Barbour died age 48 and Malcolm Barbour again took over the business with Nancy and her son John Barbour age 19.

  2. 1964

    - Malcolm Barbour died age 83 and Nancy Barbour took over the role of Chairman with John as Managing Director.

  3. 1980

    - The distinctive black and gold Barbour International badge was first seen on the famous motorcycling jacket of the same name.

  4. 1982

    - Barbour received the second Royal Warrant by Her Majesty the Queen.

  5. 1988

    - The subsidiary Barbour (Europe) Ltd. was founded in Germany. Today, the company is located in Düsseldorf.

  6. 1991

    - In June 1991 Margaret Barbour was honoured with the award of Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to industry.

  7. 1992

    - Barbour won a Queens Award for Export Achievement.

  8. 1994

    - J Barbour & Sons Ltd celebrated its centenary.

  9. 1995

    - Barbour won a Queens Award for Export Achievement.

Motorcyclist wearing a Barbour jacket
  1. 2001

    - Margaret Barbour was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year’s Honours List.

  2. 2005

    - Barbour won the Best Shooting Clothing Product at the IPC Shooting Awards for the Northumberland range designed by Lord James Percy.

  3. 2009

    - Barbour wins Best Brand of the Year Award at the Sunday Times PricewaterhouseCoopers Profit Track 100 Awards in London in June.

  4. 2009

    - Barbour undertakes a collaboration with Japanese designer, Tokihito Yoshida to produce a collection of 8 jackets for AW09. The collaboration was so successful that it was continued for 2010 and 2011.

  5. 2009

    - Barbour opens its first heritage store in Foubert's Place, Carnaby Street, London in September.

  6. 2010

    - Barbour collaborates with Anya Hindmarch on four styles of ladies jackets for AW10. This is the brand’s first ladies collaboration.

  7. 2011

    - Barbour celebrates the 75th anniversary of its iconic International motorcycle clothing.

  8. 2011

    - Barbour launches Barbour Gold Label, a luxury limited edition womenswear collection in conjunction with British designer Alice Temperley for AW11.

  9. 2011

    - Helen Barbour, Head of Sporting, in conjunction with Lord James Percy produces her first new sporting range for AW11, Barbour Sporting.

Then and Now

Barbour Origins

The Barbour story began in 1894 in the Market Place in South Shields. Today the 5th generation family owned business remains in the region, with Barbour’s headquarters located in Simonside, South Shields.  Although it sources products from around the globe, Barbour's classic wax jackets are still manufactured by hand in the factory in Simonside with over 100,000 jackets processed via the central, subsidiary and local customer service operations each year.

In 2004, Barbour began to work with Lord James Percy, in the design and marketing of its flagship shooting clothing range - the Northumberland range. Technically advanced and highly acclaimed in 2005, the Northumberland Range won the Shooting Industry Award for best clothing product, and more recently, the Linhope 3-in-1 won the Shooting Industry Award for best clothing product, 2008. More recently he was involved, alongside Vice Chairman Helen Barbour, in designing the new Barbour Sporting collection launched for Autumn Winter 2011.

Barbour now has 11 of its own retail shops in the UK and a presence in over 40 countries worldwide including the United States, Germany, Holland, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, New Zealand and Japan.

There are now over 2,000 products across the two seasons and the collections now cater for Men, Ladies and Children. Broadening out from its countrywear roots, today the heritage and lifestyle clothing brand produces clothing that is designed for a full lifestyle wardrobe.  As well as jackets and coats, the Barbour wardrobe includes trousers, shirts, socks, knitwear and a range of accessories.

Nevertheless, in whichever area the company now operates, it remains true to its core values as a family business which espouses the unique values of the British Countryside and brings the qualities of wit, grit and glamour to its beautifully functional clothing.