Two woolen merchants — John G Hardy and J&J Minnis — founded Hardy Minnis at the end 1960th. John Hardy originally owned a small production, specializing at tweed and fabrics for country trips.
Legend says that Hardy was one of the first cloth merchants to visit the Scottish Highlands and Hebrides, and to introduce Shetland and Harris Tweeds to the tailors of the world. He got acquainted with the properties of this fabric and was so impressed and, realizing the full value of the material, on his return trips to London, he would smuggle the newfound fabric swatches under his top hat.
As his reputation grew, the popularity of signature cloths such as Alsport caught the attention of the Royal Family and in 1929 the Duke of York who would later become King George VI, used a John G. Hardy cloth for the Regimental Tweed of the Brigade of Guards. When King Edward VIII was the Prince of Wales, he acquired from John G. Hardy the black & white district check that would later bear his name.
Since the 1930’s the company has been privileged to hold Official Warrants for the supply of cloth to the Royal Household. J&J Minnis is acknowledged as one of the oldest in the cloth merchanting at the UK. This company was one of the first to took up residence at Savile Row street. Fabrics under this brand always appreciate for high quality.
The two companies merged in 1969. In our days company is named Huddersfield, which is one of the most respected names in England. Expert of classic English fabrics often prefer Huddersfield to their English or Italian counterparts.
Among the manufactured fabrics there are classic costume fabric and coating. Also Huddersfield provides excellent flannel, blended summer and winter fabrics, and also 100% bamboo.
