John Smedley and Wales Bonner have launched a collaborative knitwear capsule collection, unveiled during the Wales Bonner Spring/Summer 2026 show at Paris Fashion Week and also featured in the brand’s recent Autumn/Winter 2026 lookbook.

The co-branded Wales Bonner x John Smedley capsule forms part of the seasonal collection, with a preppy focus expressed through fine-gauge cotton and merino polo shirts in bark, ivory and jewel tones. Each piece is crafted in England, reinforcing the long-standing manufacturing heritage of John Smedley.

The partnership follows a recent collaboration between the two brands on bespoke pieces created for Lewis Hamilton for the Met Gala. As part of the design development, Grace Wales Bonner visited the John Smedley mill in Lea Mills, Derbyshire, which has been home to the manufacturer since 1784. During the visit, she explored the company’s archive spanning more than 240 years, drawing inspiration from mid-20th century archive garments. Key references included chequerboard textured knits and lace collar detailing.

“John Smedley has long admired Grace Wales Bonner’s design aesthetic and values. When re-opening our third-party manufacturing, our ambition was to collaborate with brands - both local and international - who truly appreciate our Made in England heritage and who could push the boundaries of knitwear,” said Jess Mcguire-Dudley, managing director of John Smedley. “Grace’s blend of integrity and creativity alongside our history of authenticity and craftsmanship makes for a seamless partnership. We’re thrilled to bring this project to life.”

John Smedley re-opened its production lines to brands for seasonal orders last year, positioning the initiative as part of a wider push to encourage more manufacturing closer to home. The company is working in partnership with The Board of Trade, the British Fashion Council and the UK Fashion and Textiles Association. John Smedley also noted its previous history of producing knitwear for luxury labels prior to the expansion of offshore manufacturing, including work during the 1980s for brands such as Burberry, Paul Smith and Vivienne Westwood.

The Made in England capsule will be available to shop via both Wales Bonner and John Smedley websites, as well as John Smedley stores, from February.

John Smedley, holder of HM KIng Charles III Royal Warrant of Appointment, has built its name in crafting the finest merino knitwear in England for centuries - it remains the oldest, still operational factory in the world. Through its circularity project John Smedley is committed to responsible production and its mission to fulfil its own emission-reducing targets. In 2024, it invested over £3 million in machinery bolstering its production line in order to reintroduce third-party manufacturing which aims to encourage brands to bring knitwear manufacturing back to UK shores. From Autumn/Winter 2024, the brand introduced men’s and women’s lifestyle staples to complement the core knit offering.

Wales Bonner proposes a distinct notion of cultural luxury that infuses European heritage with an Afro Atlantic spirit. Launched by Grace Wales Bonner following her graduation from Central Saint Martins in 2014, the label is informed by broad cultural research and embraces a multiplicity of perspectives.

Established as a menswear brand, Wales Bonner’s soulful tailoring soon expanded to womenswear. Grace Wales Bonner has received numerous awards including the LVMH Young Designer Prize (2016), Winner of the British Fashion Council/ Vogue Designer Fashion Fund (2019), CFDA International Men's Designer of the Year (2021), Independent British Brand (2022) and British Designer of the Year - Menswear (2024) at the Fashion Awards. Wales Bonner has collaborated with brands including adidas Originals, Anderson & Sheppard, and Dior.

Stockists include Dover Street Market International, Net-a-Porter, Mr. Porter, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks 5th Avenue, Nordstrom, Selfridges and Boon the Shop.

Grace Wales Bonner’s curatorial exhibitions include A Time For New Dreams, Serpentine Galleries London (2019) and Artist’s Choice - Spirit Movers at the Museum of Modern Art, New York (2023) with accompanying publication Dream in the Rhythm: Visions of Sound and Spirit in the MoMA Collection (2023). Grace is currently leading a four-year research project, titled Between Critique and Hope, at the University of Applied Arts Vienna.

www.johnsmedley.com

www.walesbonner.net