Barbour

The Barbour story began in 1894 in the Market Place in South Shields in the North East of England. Over 130 years on and now 5th generation, this family-owned business remains in the North East. In 1894, Scotsman John Barbour established himself in South Shields in the North East of England, supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and mariners from the worst of the British weather. 1908 Malcolm Barbour, 2nd generation of the family who had secretly wanted to be a journalist, produced the first mail order catalogue. By 1917, the catalogue accounted for almost 75% of Barbour's business including international orders from as far away as Chile, South Africa, Hong Kong and the Falkland Islands. Duncan Barbour, the 3rd generation of the family and himself a keen motorcyclist introduced a one piece International motorcycling suit named after the International Six Day Trials for which it was created. In 1940, at the request of Captain George Philips who was the commander of the Ursula, one of the first U-class submarines, Barbour developed a two-piece version of the International suit. Warm, comfortable and weather resistant, the Ursula suit became standard issue in the submarine service. Margaret Barbour designed the Bedale, a lightweight thornproof short jacket designed for equestrian purposes. Barbour moved into a new factory in Simonside, South Shields where the company remains to the present day.

Quoted from barbour.com, in Barbour's own words. We have not edited it and we do not vouch for it.