Firmin & Sons, the Falklands Smock Leading the Way, and a Trip to London's Factories

Two weekends off in a row. I'm not sure that's happened since we started Lockwood, and it was fantastic. We've also just upgraded our camera equipment, which you'll start to see the difference in the content very soon. But let me go back to the beginning of last week, because there's been plenty going on.

Team Meetings That Actually Work

The week kicked off with yet another team meeting, and these are getting slicker every time. Better run, more to the point, and very enjoyable. Seeing the whole team sat round the (digital) table together felt quite astonishing at first. Now it's becoming normal, and that's brilliant. It's a nice reminder of how far this little British-made brand has come.

Behind the Scenes at Firmin & Sons, Birmingham

Last Wednesday we headed over to Firmin & Sons in Birmingham, the makers behind buttons, poppers and fittings that go on our garments. This time I took Pav along with us. Pav is the third-generation manager and owner of his family's factory, and I wanted him to see first-hand how Firmin's manufacturing process works, what they can offer us and what parts of the metal work on our jackets could be brought back to uk. 

Bringing our makers and suppliers into the same room is a big part of how we keep British manufacturing joined up, and it was a really good day. The full video will be live on the YouTube channel in the coming days, so head over to Lockwood Clothing on YouTube to have a look.

This Week's Best Sellers

Jackets: The Falklands Smock and the Churchill

The standout winner of the last week has been The Falklands Smock, with the Churchill Smock following closely behind. With the weather turning, people are reaching for a proper British-made waterproof smock, built for weather rather than for show. If either has been on your list, now's the time.

Gilets: The Mons Range

On the gilet side, the Mons range has been leading the pack. Now there's a nip in the air, people are starting to think about mid-layers, and a British-made gilet is about as useful as it gets this time of year. Have a look through the full gilet collection if you're after something to layer under a smock.

Polos: Ticking Along Nicely

The polo tops have been ticking along nicely all week, with the Life Guards Polo, Blues and Royals Polo and British Harlequin all going out the door.

A Coffee and a Natter with Phil

On Thursday I went out to visit Phil, who I interviewed for Fitted for Service a few months ago. If you haven't seen it, his episode is on the YouTube channel. This time there was no camera, just a sit down, a natter and a coffee. Lovely to catch up, and those are the relationships that make this whole thing worthwhile.

Shooting Content, and a New Sony A7 IV

Over the weekend Ruth and I went out on Saturday to shoot some content. Although it was a rare weekend off, it never really feels like working when you're out filming. I have had a niggling feeling recently that our media could be better, so in the words of Gregg Plitt, rest his soul “if it could be better, it’s as good as broken”, I decided to buy a new camera for the company, a Sony A7 IV. Expect sharper product shots, better video and a lot more behind-the-scenes from the factories in the weeks ahead and well into the future. 

Heading to London with Simon Platts

As I write this, we're getting ready to head down to London to meet a gentleman called Simon Platts. Simon spent years working in fast fashion, realised the damage it was doing to the world, and decided to take a stand for sustainability in fashion. When we bumped into each other, he heard about what we were doing at Lockwood and wanted to help. Today he's taking us round to introduce us to some factories in London.

That's exactly what we're about: fewer, better things, made in Britain, made to last. It makes me very proud that people like Simon see that and want to get behind it. I'll report back next week.

What's Coming

• The Firmin & Sons factory video, live on YouTube in the coming days
• First content shot on the new Sony A7 IV
• An update from London and the factories Simon introduces us to
• The Falklands, Churchill and Mons continuing to go out the door as the weather turns

If you believe in buying better, buying British and buying things that last, you're in the right place. Every piece is made right here in the UK and all jackets backed by our 10 year guarantee. Have a browse of the smocks, gilets and full range while there's a nip in the air.

God bless, God save the King.

Jacob Lockwood