Like Newton and his apple, and Archimedes and his overflowing bath, some random observations can be game-changing. And while it might be pushing it to compare a fashion label to the discovery of gravity, Orlebar Brown, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, was founded thanks to just such a random observation.
In London, Brown joined forces with an old friend, Julia Simpson-Orlebar. "We wouldn't have called the business -anything else. Orlebar Brown sounded older than we were – it gave us gravitas." They researched everything from zips to fabrics, although, not long after the company launched Simpson-Orlebar decided the entrepreneur's life wasn't for her. "Quite rightly she wanted to concentrate on her three children." Still, the name stuck.
From the outset, he decided to treat everything as a challenge rather than a problem. "So, when it came to things like sourcing fabric, I went to a fabric show, then I went through about eight factories trying to find one that could make a good quality pair of shorts at a price I wanted." Most importantly, he wasn't afraid to ask a lot of questions.
Financed by a mix of overdrafts and credit cards, he was based in his spare room like a true start-up. To begin with he made 1,000 pairs of shorts in five colours and four styles. And, if you want proof that Brown's initial idea was a good one, those original four styles are still available today – the Bulldog, Dane, Setter and Springer.
Jacket, £445. T-shirt, £75. Trousers, £175. Trainers, £95. All by Orlebar Brown.
Nevertheless, it is still the shorts that most men think of when they hear the name Orlebar Brown, and the brand makes sure that there is always something new on offer. Early on there were collaborations with the likes of the late illustrator Alan Aldridge, as well as the archives of the British interior designer David Hicks. Today its latest house print is named after Françoise Gilot, Picasso's lover, muse and the mother of Paloma, who is also a successful artist in her own right. New collaborations include one with Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern and for its tenth anniversary OB has introduced a new short design – the Jack. Based on the Bulldog, it is a little more sport-based than lifestyle and costs £95.
And, of course, the best summers are made of memories.
T-shirt, £95. Swim shorts, £175. Rucksack, £245. Trainers, £95. All by Orlebar Brown.
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