Gladstone London is redefining luxury men’s accessories
By Will Stroude
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While a lucrative market, it’s very difficult to enter the luxury leather goods sector fully formed. Gladstone London has done just that with its premium men’s accessories.
Using the finest materials available and engaging retired artisans from some of the world’s best factories, Gladstone is reviving ‘London Made’ handcrafting methods sadly lost after WWII due to the great loss of labour in England.
Founded in 2016 by John O’Sullivan, who has over 30 years experience in luxury branding including Harrods, MCM, Chanel and Tanner Krolle, Gladstone London exudes relaxed and timeless elegance for the urban male.
Focusing on iconic shapes in colours of the highest taste level with YKK zips whose zip ribbons are dyed to the same pantone as the leather, the company line each bag in a washable and stain resistant Alcantara in a smoke grey that feels just like cashmere.
“I wanted to showcase my love of craftsmanship and design and pay homage to the artisans who cared and crafted things by hand before mass production,” O’Sullivan says.
“I have always admired originality in any form, and there are certain artists whose personas inform their work and make it immediately recognisable.
“After thirty years in the luxury goods industry and saddened by forced retirement, because of age, I felt strongly that the narrative and skills of these artisans would be lost and forgotten.
“Engaging with these retired artists, I learnt more of the famed ‘London Made’ period between the World Wars of the last century.”
A Bespoke and Customisation Service is available on request but it is really worth the visit to their Mayfair store just to see the level of quality being offered for the affordable price point. Prices start at £350.