Dunhill
Richemont · United Kingdom
Dunhill is a British luxury menswear house founded in London in 1893 by Alfred Dunhill, originally as a supplier of motoring accessories. Alfred Dunhill Limited is owned by Swiss group Richemont. Simon Holloway is creative director and Matthew Ives chief executive.
| Founded | 1893, London |
|---|---|
| Founder | Alfred Dunhill |
| Owner | Richemont |
| Creative director | Simon Holloway |
| CEO | Matthew Ives |
| Stores | 76 (Richemont) |
| Website | dunhill.com |
What is Dunhill?
Dunhill, formally Alfred Dunhill Limited, is a London-based luxury house focused on menswear. Richemont lists ready-to-wear, tailoring, leather goods, accessories and footwear, with expertise in bespoke tailoring, bespoke leather and made-to-measure. The tobacco products that share the Dunhill name belong to a separate company, British American Tobacco.
History
Alfred Dunhill inherited his father's saddlery business and from 1893 began selling motoring accessories and clothing. The first shop opened in Mayfair in 1902, and a tobacconist followed in St James's in 1907. Dunhill became known for pipes, lighters and smoking accessories, receiving its first royal warrant in 1921 as tobacconist to the Prince of Wales. Shops opened in New York and Paris in the 1920s.
Over the following century the company shifted from tobacco accessories to luxury menswear and leather goods. It is now one of Richemont's maisons; Chloé was acquired in 1985 by Alfred Dunhill Ltd, which reflects the company's role in the early formation of the group's fashion business.
Products and positioning
Dunhill is positioned in the luxury segment as a British gentleman's outfitter with a contemporary design approach. Key categories include:
- Tailoring, including bespoke and made-to-measure
- Ready-to-wear and outerwear
- Leather goods and small accessories
- Footwear
Simon Holloway leads the creative direction, and Matthew Ives is chief executive, according to Richemont.
Business model and distribution
Richemont reports a network of 76 Dunhill stores. The brand also sells through e-commerce and selected wholesale partners. Historically it combined mail order, its own shops in London, New York and Paris, and a wholesale and export division.
Why it matters
Dunhill is one of the few British luxury houses focused on menswear and shows how a heritage brand can move from its original product category into tailoring and leather goods. It gives Richemont a menswear counterpart to Chloé and Alaïa.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Dunhill?
The luxury fashion company Alfred Dunhill Limited is owned by Swiss group Richemont. Dunhill-branded tobacco products belong to a separate company, British American Tobacco.
Is Dunhill a luxury brand?
Yes, Dunhill is a British luxury menswear house founded in London in 1893. It is known for tailoring, bespoke services and leather goods.