Sir Gordon Bennett: A Website Specialising in British Made Goods

A website selling British-made products isn't a new idea, but when it's  attractively presented and contains well-curated goods of all types it's worth a visit.  Sir Gordon Bennett (link below) is no exception. I talked to Neil Elliot, co-founder, to find out more about the business.

British-made goods from Sir Gordon Bennett: Banton Frameworks sunglasses, Stamford notebook, Kokomelt skincare cubes 

Q: Tell me about SirGordonBennett.com - how did you come to launch this website?

A: I have worked abroad for 10 years, and living in foreign climes gives an outsider's view of your home country. You become a little wiser and cosmopolitan but strangely enough a little more patriotic. I had gotten into a rut and needed a change. The only thing I had done for the last 20 years was build brands, so thought I should build my own brand. And my love had grown for craftsmanship products, especially British craftsmanship products. 

There is a store in Germany called ManuFactum that I used to spend far too much time in. They sold beautiful craftsmanship products from all over the world: knives from Japan, kitchenware from France, hiking boots from the U.S etc. I thought Britain has many great craftsmanship brands that aren't internationally known but are just as good as these more famous brands. I searched online to find a site that curated all of these brands into one place and found there wasn't one doing it justice. So, I began in earnest in scouring Britain for the brands that I felt would fit. These are brands and goods that I wanted in my life, so hoped other people would too.

Q: The products are all designed and made in Britain - why did you choose this theme?

A: I think that you don't really appreciate what is right under your nose and it took me to live abroad for the idea of SirGordonBennett to come to me. Having talked to many people whilst I lived abroad, (after they'd finished laughing about our politics) people would often talk about their love for British products.

"The world really does have a soft spot for British brands, especially those still made by craftsmen and women in a traditional way.."

Q: How do you think British made products are seen at home and abroad?

A: They believe that they are well made and last longer and they love the idea that there is always a touch of eccentricity and nobility in them. Maybe that stems from brands such as Barbour, Hunter, Vivienne Westwood, Burberry, Saville Row, Bentley etc. 

The world really does have a soft spot for British brands, especially those still made by craftsmen and women in a traditional way, they make people feel like connoisseurs instead of the nouvelle riche (funny how they are both French words). The 'Made in Britain' mark is the third most trusted mark in the world just behind Made in Germany and Made in Switzerland. It is well documented that the Far East and the US are huge markets for British made goods.

Q: How do you see the future of SirGordonbBennett.com - what products will you add in future?

A: The future is bright, just like that for the British brands we sell. We have no set products that we will or will not sell. But we do have a test that each brand must pass through for us to stock them. We call it 'Modern Heritage':

1: They must look beautiful because there is enough ugly in the world. 

2: They must be made well, with attention to detail that lasts longer, which in turn means less of an impact on the environment. 

3: They must do the job they are intended to do because a product that looks good but doesn't work is ugly in our eyes. 

4: And they must be made in Great Britain. Whether a brand is 200 years old with a Royal Warrant or two years old with a right royal future. 

SirGordonBennet.com

Although we only have 30 or so brands at present, we will be adding all of the time. We want to bulk out our sections - more gardening products, more kitchenware, more accessories, more homeware, even artwork too. And also bigger items, we'd love to stock bikes from Pashley or Temple Bikes for example. 

Our aim is to be the 'go to' small independent department store if people want to buy British craftsmanship brands as they know everything we sell is guaranteed British made. I must point out that this isn't a xenophobic or jingoistic point of view of the world, just our point of difference.

See SirGordonBennett.com 

I was sent the products in the image above to try and review - this feature is otherwise unsponsored.

Glyndebourne Festival Opera in Style

I've been lucky to be a fairly regular visitor to Glyndebourne Festival Opera for some 35 years. There have been many highlights and our visit recently to see Cendrillon (as guests of Glyndebourne) was one of these. In retelling the Cinderella story Jules Massenet wanted to highlight the magical aspects of Cinderella's transition from downtrodden youngest daughter to princess. This production achieves this remarkably well and there was indeed a touching magical beauty to the opera with moments both of humour and tragedy.

But Glyndebourne is as much about the experience as the opera. Tickets for Cendrillon were still available from £85 so this is an experience not just for the few. Entering into the spirit of Glyndebourne, bringing a picnic and dressing up (most men wear evening dress) adds so much to the fun of the occasion and are what draw us back on an annual basis. 

Dressing for Glyndebourne. Chester Barrie made to measure dinner jacket & trousers, Budd silk shirt, hat Laird Hatters

The weather for our visit was perfect - sunny with a cooling breeze. In all the years we've been going I can count the wet and cold occasions on one hand; and there is plenty of shelter if you are unfortunate enough to have bad weather.

We were treated to a Leiths picnic and Nyetimber sparking wine (for those not driving) and I recommend this delicious option if you'd rather not bring picnic basket, tables and chairs to do it yourself.

It's often assumed that the Festival is completely sold out or that only the most expensive seats are left, whereas there are often some lower-price tickets still available. Check on availability by going to https://www.glyndebourne.com/festival/ and enjoy your day!

My wife and I were guests of Glyndebourne Festival Opera.

Watch Style 6: Glashütte Original SeaQ Diver's Watch

Glashütte Original has launched a new 'Spezialist' collection 'for modern adventurers' and the diver's watch SeaQ is the first to be included. At just under 40mm and with an in-house movement, it's a slim, light but robust watch with 200m of water resistance. The design is based on a 1969 Glashütte watch from the days when the company was in East Germany. It's legible and attractive with a vintage feel which matches its sensible size.

I loved the watch (which was lent to me, at my request) and felt that a vaguely maritime feel was appropriate when stying the watch. It comes on either a vintage-style rubber strap (as here) or a bracelet. A SeaQ 1969 model differs slightly with different colours of luminous hands and numerals (pictured bottom left below).

I wear the SeaQ here with a navy submariner's roll neck from Beacon & Armour, chinos from Cordings of Piccadilly, mohair socks from Marwood and brogues from Loake.

See Glashütte Original.

My tour of the Glashütte Original factory is featured here.

Click here for more Watch Style features.

This is part of an occasional series in which I style watches with an outfit. The feature is unsponsored. I'm always on the lookout for watches, new and vintage, to include here, so do get in touch.