Avant Vintage Apres Smedley
J Louisalexandre d'Anjou on 24 November 2009
I was Born in British Guiana during my first winter in Italy, I found the cold unbearable and was looking for additional warmth.
On a cold Florentine afternoon looking for a second hand coat I came across a bundle of 6 woolen shirts in priestly greys in a thrift shop I recconed that this would be a better buy, as I would have a change of clothing and since the garments were thinly woven they could be layered providing extra warmth. I paid for my loot and headed back to my lodgings checking the label for washing instructions.
For the rest of that winter I was somberly and warm dresed on a budget. It was during one of my student winter shopping visits I passed a mens shop and saw in the window a selection of Smedley shirts in delicious colours that only Italians seem to carry of with a certain elegance, I entered and asked the price and history of the shirts and was totaly taken aback that I was dressed like a prince in fine wollens.
The said shirts lasted me an additional 2 winters and with my first pay check from being gainfuly employed I bought one those jeweled coloured shirts and have worn Smedley since in both cotton and wool. I’m proud to have for 25 years been part of the 225 years of Smedely history
From Rags to Riches -
In the summer of 2001 i went to an exhibition with my old boss, and on the first day he slated my clothing, ‘ok so my dress sense wasnt the best i was wearing an old (hand me down) from my older brother i remember it being a horrible brown and black v-neck. My boss would always joke with me about my clothing and although some of it was in jest it still made me feel a bit down i mean how could i afford the type of clothes that he wore. I knew that in a few years i could aspire to be as trendy and as well dressed as him but for now i didnt stand a chance with the money i was on.
Something magical was to happen on the last day of the exhibition my boss told me to get rid of the brown and black jumper because he was to take me shopping. I thought he was kidding i couldnt believe what was happening. He then took me to a gentlemens clothing shop and picked out 3 john Smedley jumpers, i tried on all 3 and couldnt pick just one i loved them all. He asked me which one i liked the best but i literally struggled to pick one he knew i loved all three and took them to the till. I offered to pay even though i couldnt afford it and he bought them as a present for all my hard work i have kept all three knits and still wear them today they are so nice.
My boss retired a year after and even to this day when i buy a new Smedley knit i will always remember his kindness and how i feel when i wear my john smedley knit, i am very proud to be a part of the 225 year history.