14 October 2026International edition
Vol. I · No.
14 October 2026
AI in Fashion
DAILY
The daily briefing on AI in the fashion business
Where fashion meets artificial intelligence.
Digital-native and DTC brands

Dobell

United Kingdom

Dobell is a British menswear brand founded in 2003 by Mike Dobell and headquartered in Eastbourne. It sells British-designed formalwear, suits and accessories online at affordable prices.

Facts
Founded2003
FounderMike Dobell
Based inEastbourne, United Kingdom
CategoryFormalwear and suits
InvestorChampions (UK) plc, equity stake
Websitedobell.com
Segment
Mid-market
Categories
MenswearAccessories
Sales channels
E-commerce

What is Dobell?

Dobell is a British menswear brand headquartered in Eastbourne, East Sussex. It is described as one of the UK's leading online menswear retailers.

History

Mike Dobell founded the company in 2003. He started it after struggling to find an affordable tuxedo while at university, and he saw a gap in the market for accessible formalwear.

Products and positioning

The brand offers British-designed formalwear, suits and accessories at affordable prices, with a wide range of sizing options. Its focus is on occasions such as weddings, proms and work, where customers need a tailored look without a premium price.

Distribution

Dobell sells online. Champions (UK) plc has taken a significant equity stake in the business, and the partnership aims to expand Dobell's online presence worldwide.

Why it matters

Dobell shows how a founder-led online business can build a national position in a specific niche, formalwear, by addressing a price gap rather than competing across the whole menswear market.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Dobell?

Mike Dobell founded Dobell in 2003 after struggling to find an affordable tuxedo while at university.

Where is Dobell from?

Dobell is a British menswear brand headquartered in Eastbourne.

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