The changes wrought on Sunspel by the 20th century

The 20^th century: a time of drastic social, political and cultural change, an epoch that witnessed the dissolution of empires, two World Wars, the rise and fall of Communism, the formation of the United Nations and not a little alteration to the situations of women and minorities across the world. It was this tumultuous landscape into which the British clothing company now known as Sunspel (http://www.sunspel.com) entered on a wave of Victorian pioneering fervour, with such influences firmly leaving their mark on the modern-day brand.

By 1900, the firm that had been founded as Thomas Hill Ltd in Nottingham had already been trading for some four decades, in which time its Newdigate factory began to make luxury hosiery made from exceptionally soft and lightweight fabrics. The firm had been established to make comfortable and durable underwear with cotton of the finest grade, imported from around the world. The company’s spirit reflected an emerging appetite for international exploration, with the result being the best quality clothing for wearing close to the skin.

This outward perspective certainly informed the son of ‘Old Thom’, Thomas Arthur Hill, who having significantly progressed the company’s reputation in the development of lisle cotton singlets, tunics and undershirts and women and childrens’ underwear, pinpointed the Far East as a key future market. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before undergarments bearing complicated embroidery and the Thomas Hill name surfaced in China, India and Malaya. A name change to Sea Island Textiles Ltd eventually followed, along with a move from the old site to Long Eaton – where the company, now bearing the Sunspel name that it adopted at the end of the thirties, maintains a presence today.

The name Sunspel was taken from the company’s best-selling brand of underwear, and it was this side of its offering that was to attract particular notoriety as the new century progressed – but not before the struggle. The firm had already played its part in drastically changing perceptions of women in the workplace as they replaced the conscripted men during the First World War. Fast-forward to the times of austerity post-World War II and Sunspel was once again focussing on supplying the home market with the finest quality fabrics and products.

Gradually, Sunspel began to attract attention for a distinct combination of style and innovation, marked by the development of cellulock fabric and the appearance of its quality mens clothing in the world’s finest stores and boutiques. At this time, the company was also supplying various issue undergarments to the RAF, and it was its mens underwear that was powering the company’s popularity again when Nick Kamen made his famous appearance in Sunspel boxer shorts in the Levi’s Launderette advertisement of 1985. This soon drew a host of other iconic brands and designers to Sunspel.

The 20^th century may go on record as one of the most momentous and revolutionary in human history – and Sunspel (http://www.sunspel.com) was there from start to finish with luxurious heritage clothing that continually redefined the breed.