Fashion is ever-changing. Trends and approaches to clothing and accessories change every year. However, it is always interesting to turn the pages of the past and learn about the history of fashion development in your city or region. Leeds has an interesting fashion history that reflects its industrial development and cultural changes. After all, this city was a famous industrial centre in the past centuries. It developed its textile and woollen industry, built factories and opened markets and later shops. A great contribution to the development of local fashion was made by John Barran, who was the first to sell ready-made clothes. He was also a well-known philanthropist and politician. Learn more about him at leedska.
What do we know about John Barran?
John was born in London into the family of a gunsmith. When he was 21 years old, John decided to leave his hometown. He went to the industrial city of Leeds in search of work. There, John started working in a pawnshop and also sold clothes. Later, the man started his own business. He became a well-known supplier of men’s clothing in the city. Barran owned a store that became popular among farmers and workers.
In Leeds, John found his beloved one and got married. Interestingly, their family home was located above the shop. Over time, the businessman transformed it into a fashion centre. The shop offered a wide range of products, from tailcoats and satin waistcoats to rabbit skin trousers for mechanics. Importantly, his customers could not only order clothes but also buy ready-made ones. John Barran sewed ready-to-wear clothes in his own small factory.
Innovative technologies
John Barran was a pioneer in the sale of ready-to-wear clothes and showed an interest in innovation. For example, John was the first to use the new American Singer sewing machines in 1851. The production became faster and cheaper thanks to it. Seven years later, the businessman presented a band-saw that could cut through several layers of fabric. It was a real revolution in the Leeds clothing industry.
Barran’s business was developing as was Leeds fashion. It was more convenient for people to buy ready-made clothes, instead of waiting for them to be tailored. Later, John and his family moved to Chapel Allerton Hall and his factory to Park Row. When Barran’s sons grew up, they became his business partners.
It is worth noting that the businessman had a good reputation and paid his employees a decent salary. He also did a lot for the city. Thus, in 1869, John purchased land on the new south side of the city and commissioned architect Thomas Ambler to design several beautiful buildings. The architect designed a new store, as well as a new factory and warehouse in Park Square. By the way, the factory was planned in such a way to be comfortable for the workers. It had good sanitation and lighting, as well as a canteen. That was a rarity in those days because Barran’s rivals paid pitiful wages and didn’t think about working conditions at all.
Later, the businessman opened stores in London and abroad. His company, John Barran and Sons, was prospering. In 1904, the production was relocated to a new factory with more than 3,000 workers.
John Barran’s charity work
As it was mentioned above, John Barran was a well-known Leeds philanthropist and politician. He was President of the Working Men’s Institute and of the Chamber of Commerce, a JP, a Liberal Councillor and Mayor in 1870 and 1871. The city’s Roundhay Park was created thanks to John’s efforts too. He believed that a park was necessary for industrial Leeds. In addition, throughout his life, he supported many good causes, becoming one of the founders of Leeds University and the supporter of the British Workman pubs.
John Barran passed away in 1905. He was remembered by the residents of Leeds not only as a successful businessman but also as a good person. Therefore, thousands of people lined up the streets and followed John Barran’s funeral procession.
Phenomenon of fashion development in Leeds
John Barran wasn’t the only one who developed a tailoring and fashion business. After all, Jewish migrants fleeing from Eastern Europe settled in Leeds too, so there were many tailors in the city who were looking for work or starting their own business. Leeds has a thriving fashion industry and 60% of suits sold in Great Britain in the last century were made in this very city.
Over time, the Leeds textile industry began to decline. However, the fashion industry continues to develop and local shops sell designer clothes from local manufacturers and international brands.
It was the turbulent history of Leeds’ fashion development. John Barran wasn’t born in Leeds, but his contribution to the development of the city and local fashion is difficult to overestimate. He cared not only about his own well-being but also gave residents of Leeds the opportunity to earn money as well. His competitors picked up his creative and innovative ideas thus actively developing tailoring.
We hope that our article was informative and you learned more information about the region and the development of local fashion.