J. Barbour & Sons Ltd. was founded by John Barbour in 1894. The brand became fairly popular in the roaring thirties when its motorcycling range quickly took off and Barbour suits were worn by virtually every British International team. In 1957, after 63 years of being a retailer, Barbour became manufacturers and marketers and opened their very first manufacturing plant on the outskirts of South Shields. In 1974 Barbour received the first Royal warrant from HRH the Duke of Edinburgh - what a start of a beautiful tradition that was. In 1980 the first lightweight thornproof short riding jacket – the Bedale – was designed. It was no accident it was Dame Margaret Barbour who designed it.
Barbour remains a family-run business until present day, with Dame Margaret representing the fifth Barbour generation.
