Latest news with #Smythson
Fashion United
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion United
Smythson opens Liberty concession in meeting of heritage British brands
Two stalwarts of British design heritage are joining forces this summer, as Smythson of Bond Street opens a new concession in Liberty's Regent Street flagship. The move brings together two 19th-century-founded brands whose reputations have been built on craftsmanship, quality materials and a certain understated luxury. The concession, which opens on 14 August in Liberty's third-floor homeware department, offers Smythson's hallmark diaries, notebooks and stationery alongside a tightly edited selection of leather goods and best-selling bags. In keeping with the brand's tradition, an in-store personalisation service allows customers to foil-stamp initials or motifs in gold or silver. This is not simply a co-location exercise but a deliberate pairing of sensibilities. Liberty, founded in 1875, has long been synonymous with distinctive prints and artisanal collaborations; Smythson, established in 1887, is known for its signature Nile Blue packaging, fine leatherwork and the Panama diary. Both have maintained relevance across changing fashion cycles by leaning on heritage while selectively modernising product lines. To mark the launch, the two brands have developed an exclusive Smythson x Liberty collection. The first edit, arriving this month, features notebooks and diaries in Liberty Purple, Nile Blue and seasonal Coral, lined with Liberty's archival silk prints and available in Panama cross-grain and Mara croc-embossed leathers. A second drop in November will extend the colour story into travel accessories, including passport covers and luggage tags in Liberty Purple Mara leather. The collection will be sold in the UK exclusively through Liberty's flagship store and its website, with international orders available via While neither brand discloses sales by product category, both have cited steady growth in leather goods and personalised stationery in recent trading updates, a segment where cross-brand collaborations tend to command higher price points and repeat custom. For two institutions whose combined history spans almost 300 years, the Liberty–Smythson tie-up feels less like a novelty and more like a natural extension of a shared, very British design language. Liberty x Smythson Credits: Courtesy Smythson
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
14 Luxury Baby Gifts to Please Any Parent
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Certain milestones in life, like the arrival of a baby, call for the type of gift that will last forever. And, if you're lucky, these objects get passed down to the next generation. We searched high and low for the sort of luxury present that will stick around for a long time to come. Perhaps a sterling silver bubble blower or baby cup will delight both the parent and the bauble's young owner. Or an heirloom-worthy Murano picture frame will beautifully suit a photo of one of the world's newest members. What could be more delightful, and adorable, than a Moncler winter suit to keep even the youngest among us cozy? And, for the sentimental type, our favorite gift that keeps growing: A tree in the baby's honor. Here, our favorite luxury presents to delight even the hardest to please something so adorable about a plush baby bathrobe. Plus, this version can be personalized. $60.00 at to make all of those memories last? Smythson's leather-bound baby book is sturdy and will hold up well for years to come. It can be personalized with names or notes. $625.00 at David Mellor baby cutlery set is both playful and stylish. $92.00 at Elsa Peretti-designed sterling bubble blower may seem impractical, but it will surely become a keepsake down the line. It can function as a bubble blower through childhood and then as a chic cocktail stirrer in adulthood. $200.00 at Firenze has been in business for years and it's hard to find linens more luxurious. Both baby and parents will surely appreciate this sweet hand-embroidered towel set. $350.00 at modaoperandiThis luxurious cashmere cable-knit day gown arrives on a satin hanger and is both plush and precious. $325.00 at more luxurious than a baby having his or her own set of china? This version includes a cup, bowl, plate, and egg cup. $273.00 at is the gold standard for stuffed animals, and the 7 inch llama is size-appropriate for a baby. $22.95 at tiny Moncler suit, with bear ears on the hood, is hard not to appreciate. $450.00 at pewter baby cup will certainly be passed on to the next generation. $110.00 at this vintage Murano frame with a photo of the new baby for the ultimate unique gift. $2433.00 at leather bound version of The Night Before Christmas can personalized with names. It's sure to be a gift that will be enjoyed year after year. $98.00 at overthemoonAerin Lauder's pointelle baby blanket includes sweet details like an embroidered flower border and a faint baby blue trim. $69.00 at could be more special than the gift of a tree? It not only gives back to the people and place where it grows, but also signifies the passing of time. Years later, the whole family can even pay the tree a visit. $129.00 at You Might Also Like From the Archive: Tour Sarah Jessica Parker's Relaxed Hamptons Retreat 75 Small (But Mighty) Kitchens to Steal Inspiration from Right This Instant
Reuters
01-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Britain's Smythson sold to Oakley Capital's Iconic BrandCo
MILAN, July 1 (Reuters) - Smythson of Bond Street, the British luxury leather goods and stationery brand, has been bought by Iconic BrandCo, a company controlled by Oakley Capital which invests in heritage brands, the private equity firm said on Tuesday. Italian leather group Tivoli, which bought Smythson in 2009, said in a separate note that it would continue to produce leather goods for the brand. Financial details were not disclosed by either side. Founded in London in 1887, Smythson sells products such as diaries for 195 pounds ($270) and leather passport covers starting at 170 pounds. It holds two warrants as a supplier to the British royal family. Oakley Capital's Iconic BrandCo said it has also bought Milan-based home decor firm Fornasetti and Italian luggage maker Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano. "The latest acquisitions mark an important step in Oakley's strategy of building a diversified group of luxury, heritage brands," Oakley Capital said in a statement. Iconic BrandCo also controls brands such as Alessi, Globe-Trotter and Connolly. ($1 = 0.7256 pounds)
Telegraph
01-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
King's stationery supplier Smythson bought by Cameron ally after years of losses
Smythson, the stationery supplier to the Royal family, has been sold to an investment fund founded by an ally of Lord Cameron following years of losses. The 138-year-old group, which once employed Lord Cameron's wife, Samantha, as creative director, has been acquired by Oakley Capital, a private equity firm founded by entrepreneur Peter Dubens. The sale comes after years of losses during which Smythson was forced to grapple with declining consumer confidence and soaring costs, leading to a string of shop closures. The company holds a Royal warrant to supply stationery and office supplies to the King and Queen having been granted its first warrant by the late Queen in 1964. Its ties to the Royal family date back to the 1890s when the group was commissioned to produce stationery for Queen Victoria and it also held a Royal warrant from the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Mr Dubens is a former Tory donor and ally of the former prime minister, who has given tens of thousands of pounds to the Conservatives over the last two decades. Mr Dubens reportedly bid £20,000 for a tennis match with Lord Cameron when he was leader of the opposition, and in 2015 made Lord Cameron an honorary member of Mark's Club, the members' club he co-owns with billionaire restaurateur Richard Caring. Founded in 1887 by Frank Smythson, Smythson started life as a producer of stationery before beginning to make handbags in the 1900s. It has also counted Sir Winston Churchill and Grace Kelly as customers. Mrs Cameron worked for the company for 13 years, starting her career as a window dresser and working her way to become creative director. When Lord Cameron became prime minister in 2010, she moved to become a consultant. Smythson was previously owned by the Italian handbag maker Tivoli, which bought it in 2009 in a deal said to be worth around £18m. Smythson posted a £6.7m pre-tax loss over the year to April 2024, slightly narrowing from a loss of £8m the prior year. However, revenues fell from £32.1m to £28.5m. Luxury struggles In its most recent accounts, the company said: 'Demand in the luxury retail sector remains uncertain, subject to global and local economic conditions resulting from the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, ongoing impact from Ukrainian war and recent increase in interest rates and cost of living.' Britain's luxury brands were also dealt a blow when Rishi Sunak's government decided to axe VAT-free shopping for tourists in 2021. Bosses have argued that the removal of this perk has made London a less attractive location for wealthy travellers to come and shop. Smythson has closed a handful of stores in recent years including its New Bond Street flagship in a bid to streamline the company and make its operations more profitable. Mr Dubens said: 'Heritage brands cannot be created overnight: it can take decades or longer to build a loyal customer base through the application of high-quality craftsmanship, product innovation and marketing excellence. 'We are lucky to be able to welcome Smythson to Oakley.'
Fashion Network
01-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Smythson has been acquired by Oakley Capital, targets US, Europe, Japan growth
Smythson of Bond Street, the high-end British leather goods business, has been acquired from Jacques Bahbout's Tivoli Group by Oakley Capital, a pan-European, mid-market private equity investor. The purchase price wasn't disclosed. The company said it 'marks an exciting new chapter in Smythson's 137-year history of British craftsmanship. Following years of strengthening the brand's foundation and securing its current position, Smythson's partnership with Oakley will help to accelerate growth and expand brand presence'. The luxury business has become part of Iconic BrandCo, Oakley's vehicle for luxury, heritage brands, which includes 'complementary' labels such as Italian homewares company Alessi, British luxury luggage specialist Globe-Trotter, and British high-end leather goods and apparel brand Connolly, in which Oakley invested only in 2024. Iconic BrandCo also has investments in Fornasetti and Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano. The new owner said the label will 'benefit from Oakley's proven value-creation strategies and expertise in accelerating international expansion, digitising operations, enhancing brand positioning and digital marketing. Smythson will leverage this investment to prioritise global growth, with a specific focus on the US, Japanese and European markets, whilst continuing to strengthen the UK home market'. It will take a multi-channel approach to 'drive growth, expand global distribution, develop international franchise agreements, and launch innovative brand activations and collaborations'. A few months ago, Smythson filed its accounts for the year to March 2024 and said that turnover for the business increased to £27.26 million from £23.65 million while gross profit rose to almost £19.6 million from just over £16 million. The operating result was still a loss, but a smaller one at £5.9 million compared to £6.9 million the year before. The loss both before and after tax was also down at £6.6 million from a negative £7.3 million a year earlier. The company, which also closed its New Bond Street store during that financial year, did say in the accounts filing that business was improving. Oakley clearly agrees and sees potential in it. Smythson's CEO Paolo Porta said: 'We look forward to working closely with Oakley's Iconic Brands group to realise the full potential of Smythson as an exceptional British brand. We will leverage Oakley's expertise in international expansion and brand positioning, whilst continuing to honour the legacy of this beloved heritage brand. All of us at Smythson would like to extend our thanks and admiration to Jacques Bahbout and the Tivoli Group for their leadership and support in recent years, and for enabling us to reinforce Smythson's foundations. We look forward to continuing our longstanding production partnership with Tivoli Group across our leather business.' And Oakley Capital co-Founder and CEO Peter Dubens added: 'Heritage brands cannot be created overnight: it can take decades or longer to build a loyal customer base through the application of high-quality craftsmanship, product innovation and marketing excellence. We are lucky to be able to welcome Smythson to Oakley.'
