Henri Lloyd

Henri Lloyd is a British sailing apparel and fashion brand founded in Manchester in 1963 by Henri Strzelecki and Angus Lloyd. Known for technical foul-weather gear and the Consort Jacket, it is now owned by Monte Rosa Capital.

What is Henri Lloyd?

Henri Lloyd is a sailing clothing brand founded in 1963 in Manchester by Henri Strzelecki, a Polish Second World War soldier, and his partner Angus Lloyd. It makes technical sailing apparel and casual fashion for men and women.

History

The company pioneered several features in marine clothing, including Bri-Nylon fabric, the first non-corrosive nylon zip, Velcro closures in waterproof garments and hand-taped seams, and it first sold Gore-Tex waterproofs in 1994. Strzelecki designed the Consort Jacket in 1965, which Sir Francis Chichester wore on his 1966 to 1967 solo circumnavigation. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston wore Henri Lloyd oilskins on his 1969 non-stop solo voyage.

The business entered administration in 2018 and was bought by Swedish investment firm Aligro, then acquired by Monte Rosa Capital in 2022. Kestin Hare was named creative director in 2023.

Products and positioning

• Technical sailing and foul-weather gear
• Outerwear including the Consort Jacket
• Casual menswear and womenswear

The brand has long partnered with competitive sailing, including Sir Ben Ainslie since 1996, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and Ineos Britannia, and it won Fashion Brand of the Year in the UK in 1997 with its Black Label collection.

Why it matters

Henri Lloyd is one of the clearest examples of a technical sportswear brand whose performance heritage became the basis for lifestyle fashion.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Henri Lloyd?

Henri Lloyd was founded in Manchester in 1963 by Henri Strzelecki and Angus Lloyd.

Who owns Henri Lloyd?

Henri Lloyd has been owned by Monte Rosa Capital since 2022.

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