Aleks sits down with Isabel Ettedgui, owner of Connolly England, a discreet British brand with a reputation for timeless design. It was founded in 1878 as a coach hood maker’s makers and saddler. Isabel spotted Connolly’s potential to be a successful retail brand in the 1990s, and has transformed Connolly into a modern British fashion house, synonymous with luxurious and versatile menswear.

We sat down to unpack what makes Connolly unique today, how Isabel has built and rebuilt the brand over the years, and why independent retailers need supporting today now more than ever.

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HandCut Radio is produced in collaboration with Birch, a London and New York based creative agency. Our theme music is by Joe Boyd.

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Show Notes

Connolly — Instagram | Website 

[2:29] Joseph Ettedgui
[3:15] Connolly Leather
[3:20] The First Rolls Royce
[4:10] RMS Queen Mary Ship
[4:17] King George’s ‘Gold State Coach’
[5:07] Jaguar E-Type, Petrolicious
[5:45] Andrée Putman
[5:48] Ross Lovegrove
[6:40] Deyan Sudjic
[13:03] Jaguar E-Type Limited Edition (x6)
[16:31] Nicholas Foulkes
[20:13] Marc Audibet