ABOUT
Original British Product by Queene and Belle is the sister collection to the main line.
After years of collecting and re-working traditional vintage British clothing for select Japanese customers on a project basis, a new concept organically grew from this vintage aesthetic.
I fell in love with the Edwardian and Victorian white cotton undergarments with their exquisite embroideries, monograms and hand stitched detailing. I admired the gentlemen's collarless shirts, the fine silk and cotton underwear which originated and were originally knitted in mills in Hawick, Scotland - the town where I grew up and the supremely classic crews and cardigans from the 1940's through to the 1970's also produced in the town.
My love for the heritage and the artisan skills of this area where all of the Queene and Belle and Original British Product are produced I feel is in my bones - my family has worked within the industry for generations, my grandfather was an artisan hand knitter who demonstrated his technique in luxury department stores and exhibitions.
All of this history and labours of love I felt could be pulled together to create a new collection which celebrates all that is great about British understated style, design and manufacture. The timeless mix of masculine and feminine, simple classic detailing which is forever practical and the fact that the loose comforting shapes are genius for everyday living.
Angela Bell