Barbour Jackets: The Unstoppable Fashion Empire That Made £30 Million and Defies Fashion Giants

Brace yourselves for a fashion story that could drown out any storm! Whether it's draping royalty, rock stars, or a Canadian rapper, Barbour jackets are the style powerhouses everyone can't stop wearing. And guess what? The Barbour family just cashed in on their royal-sized success by pocketing a staggering £30 million. This isn't your typical historical company; it started 131 years ago selling oilskins to lighthouse keepers and now boasts celebrity fans like David Beckham and Drake. Can you even?

As fashion giants stumble—Burberry's shares nosedived 72%, Mulberry’s sales dipped by a fifth, and Belstaff posted an eye-watering £18.3 million in losses—Barbour is thriving. Not even turbulent times can rival the brand’s rain-defying mystery ingredient, the indomitable Dame Margaret Barbour, who tossed in her teaching career and single-handedly elevated the brand to a world-stage "must-have".

And where does she operate from? Forget Paris and London; Northumberland is the home ground where Barbour churns out 3,000 jackets a week, fortified by a loyal staff serving Barbour for decades—shocking, right? Dame Margaret reveals the secret sauce: quick decision-making, modest living, and a dash of good old female sensibility that keeps the business thriving across generations.

Hold onto your hats because Barbour’s legacy goes beyond jackets; it ventured into pet accessories, thanks to its royal household connections. The brand went from gracing local fishermen to being a staple in every fashion-forward wardrobe and on screens everywhere, even customized for James Bond himself in Skyfall. Want more? Barbour’s iconic look even rippled across America, doubling sales in New York post Helen Mirren's portrayal as the Queen.

Speaking of a well-knit family affair, Helen Barbour, the vice-chairman, is in on the action too, adding her own touch while maintaining core family values. Oh, and the Barbour business philosophy is simple: keep it real! "... women don’t spend frivolously," says Dame Margaret. Instead, they reinvest in timeless classics that resonate globally.

From old-school motorcycle attire to becoming everyone's festival go-to, Barbour's history is a catwalk spanning monarchies and movie sets. And Barbour has no plans of slowing down, weaving its story with every jacket—from rugged greens to chic pinks. Did we mention Dame Margaret loves a challenge? Beyond style, she's contributed significantly to philanthropic efforts in the North East, supporting women and sponsoring rugby teams.

The endgame? Dame Margaret vows to keep those wheels turning for much longer. One could say Barbour isn't just about weathering storms; it’s a sartorial beacon in any fashion forecast. Keep your eyes peeled for this legend that continues to drape across realms of heritage and trend like a well-loved, waxed-finish jacket.