Starting Sunday, we will be presenting a brand new waxed cotton piece, designed to keep you dry and developed with the highly respected English house British Millerain. Does that ring a bell? It's normal, the workshop is known for its long-standing work with many brands specializing in outdoor. We'll tell you more about this very special English workshop.
Since the 1880s, British Millerain has been creating technical fabrics for both the military and rural work. In 1894, the company registered its first model in rain-resistant oilcloth; in the following years, many variations were developed, thus offering a wider range of waterproof materials. A know-how focused on a specific product, which the company has continued to improve over the years: needless to say, our first parka is in good hands!
Although the house first became known in Europe, it quickly won over the United States, before building a reputation around the world. The quality of its oilcloths has been perfected, in particular thanks to technological progress, which allows for greater precision and finesse, without ever losing the original values: creating natural materials that are resistant to water, earth and the many gestures of daily life.
But why is oilcloth so popular? Whether it’s for its waterproof properties or its unique and timeless authentic look, the famous material has long been given pride of place in the outwear collections of some of the most respected brands. We are no exception.
And its history contributes to maintaining the fascination. In the 15th century, sailors were subject to the impetuous wind, rain and waves and had little protection against sometimes violent events. Their survival depended in part on the strength and waterproofness of clothing, capable of protecting them effectively, in particular by staying dry to maintain their body heat.
English sailors then applied linseed oil to their uniforms made of thick linen canvas, which provided good waterproofing while maintaining a certain lightness. The pieces thus coated could also serve as reinforcements for the sailors on deck, subjected to the bites of the wind and the splashes of the ocean.
Their survival depended partly on the strength and waterproofness of clothing , which could protect them effectively, particularly by keeping them dry to maintain their body heat.
Over time, the demand for soft and durable clothing has increased, and finer and more efficient materials have emerged.
In the 18th century, a cotton weaving workshop perfected the art of applying linseed oil to canvas, and the Royal Navy adopted this new technique very quickly. Far from being perfect, linseed oil turned yellow over time and cracked in cold temperatures, losing its resistant properties.
British Millerain, then well established in cotton work and finishing, decided to tackle this problem by developing a paraffin-based wax, which offered both great resistance and breathability to the garments. This process was the origin of the one we know today.
The excellent quality of the wax applied by British Millerain quickly became known to many workshops, which then sent their fabrics to the famous house to ensure this perfect finish. Via this new network, British Millerain products were exported as far as New Zealand, before being widely distributed in England by the biggest brands.
British Millerain, having a monopoly on oilcloth, decided to protect its creations in order to ensure that its know-how remained within its family. Little by little, the family business acquired new workshops, which allowed it to extend its influence to the European and American markets. Today, the demand for "British Millerain" oilcloths pushes the company to innovate and excel in its field by combining tradition, technology and ecological awareness.
With the desire to develop a jacket with minimalist lines, designed in an iconic, resistant material, and with the raw aesthetic that we love so much, we are happy to have been able to work with one of the most beautiful English workshops of our time, which has been able to reinvent itself and perpetuate a know-how passed down from generation to generation.
See you on Sunday to discover it!
