CORDUROY
One of our favourite autumn/winter fabrics, corduroy is instantly recognisable for its distinctive ribbed texture, resembling parallel cords laid side by side. First created in ancient Egypt, later adopted by the British monarchy, and rediscovered by 70s bohemians, it remains a timeless staple in our collections.
Corduroy originated from a “fustian” fabric first produced in Al-Fusṭāṭ, now part of Cairo, Egypt, from which its name is derived. It was initially a coarse cloth woven from linen and cotton, created by interlacing three sets of threads instead of the usual two. The extra set of threads served as filling yarn, forming floats that made the fabric coarser and more durable. In corduroy, the extra filling threads partly float on the cloth’s surface and after being woven, they are cut and brushed to create the distinctive cord-like piles.
As the weaving process was complex, corduroy was at first reserved for royalty and the upper classes. However, with the Industrial Revolution and the mechanisation of textile production, the fabric became more widely available and began to take the form we recognise today. Valued for its comfort and durability, it soon became popular among workers. Its peak popularity, however, came in the 1970s, when corduroy garments became symbols of the working class and the hippie movement. Popularised by cultural icons such as The Beatles, Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan, as well as by major fashion houses, corduroy became emblematic of the era. Though perhaps less ubiquitous today, it has never fallen out of fashion.
Taking it further
As the production of corduroy fabric is inherently complex, much of the corduroy manufactured nowadays is very similar. In our collections however, we celebrate its versatility by using corduroy in a range of thicknesses and pile sizes, from fine pinwale corduroy that’s perfect for lightweight spring blouses, to bold jumbo corduroy that brings character to our trouser designs.
We take pride in pushing corduroy even further by introducing unique corduroy fabrics created by our Poetry designers. Working closely with our partner mills, we develop corduroys with rich interwoven colour patterns and adapt the pile to create textured checks, harnessing the fabric’s distinctive ribbed surface in innovative ways.
Every corduroy fabric we design is crafted specifically for its intended garment, with the weight, softness and character carefully shaped to embody the vision of the style.
From ancient looms to modern runways, corduroy has proven its ability to adapt, endure and inspire. At once practical and expressive, it carries history in every rib while offering endless room for reinvention. That’s why it remains a cornerstone of our collections - crafted with care, reimagined with creativity, and always ready to bring depth, texture and character to the season.