Once upon a time in leeds
It all started in 1945by Alexander Rose
He was a perfectionist who started from humble beginnings to build a business based on quality, excellent customer service and attention to detail. Over 75 years later we still maintain the same traditional values that he instilled into his family.
Only the finest qualitycraftsmanship and materials
We only use fabrics from the very best of British mills. Our garments are carefully crafted by one of Europe’s top tailoring houses who also manufacture for many Savile Row tailors in London England.
Reviews
I love my jacket because I made it my own
From cloths, buttons, pockets and vents. Customise your jacket online with our simple configurator to make your jacket your own.
We are a family business established in 1945 in Leeds West Yorkshire England. Quality, customer service and attention to detail have been our company ethos for the last 75 years.
All our garments are carefully crafted by one of Europe’s top tailoring companies who also supply many Savile Row tailors.
We have long standing trading relationships with the traditional mills of West Yorkshire along with the world’s leading cloth merchants.
There are instructions on how to measure. If you have any difficulty you can book a Zoom meeting with our master tailor who will be delighted to assist you.
Absolutely! Please get in touch to book a 30-minute Zoom meeting with our master tailor.
We want you to be happy with your choice of fabric – therefore, we can post up to three sample cloths along with a tape measure, all free of charge.
Just send us an email and we will post one out to you.
Normally around 5 weeks, subject to cloth availability and your location.
We are passionate about the quality of our garments. The fit is superb and the internal construction that you can’t see only uses only the very best interlinings.
Your jacket will be so personal to you that we will even embroider your name in the jacket lining.
If you have any problems, please email some photos and we will arrange a time to discuss over Zoom.
Our Timeline
1945
Alexander Rose left the army in 1945 and decided to open a small clothing factory in Cross Harrison Street behind the Grand Theatre in Leeds.
1948
In 1948 the business expanded into a former school. This was in Elmwood Street very near the Leeds City centre.
1952
In 1952 we completed a factory extension, the extra space was used for a cutting room and garment pressing and finishing.
1956
In 1956 the company opened number two factory in Allerton Bywater in the former Miners Welfare Club building. We needed the extra capacity to cope with increased volume of orders.
1965
In 1965 the company opened the third factory in Featherstone, production now approaching 40,000 made to measure suits per year. At this point we were supplying around 350 menswear retailers in the UK. There was also a cutting room in Sunderland based in the Boiler Makers Hall.
1972
In 1972 Alexander’s son Harold Rose becomes managing Director of Alexander Rose Ltd carrying on the family business into the next generation.
1975
In 1975 number two factory is extended (and all production is now on one site). The factory was now producing around 1000 jackets & 2000 trousers per week all high fashion ready to wear.
1979
Design Council grant enables the factory to be “engineered” using Swedish Consultants. Complete new production methods and garment handling systems. We needed to compete with European manufacturers.
1980
Acknowledged to be one of the most modern factories in the UK, now supplying high fashion menswear to major store groups and retailers throughout the UK. The British Clothing Manufacturer commended Alexander Rose Ltd for its open doors policy in allowing other companies to visit and see a modern UK clothing factory. We wanted to encourage other companies to follow our lead.
1981
25th anniversary of the Allerton Bywater factory, many of the employees had been working in the factory from 1956.
1982
Cut jackets waiting to go into production.
1984
The jacket production line showing the hanging rail system and various work aids to reduce handling time.
1986
Sale of the factory to Harbarry Garments of Manchester, there were precisely 132 machinists whose jobs were fully secured. Established Executive Image supplying high quality corporate clothing to hotels, casinos, house builders etc. including Hilton Hotels, Stakis Casinoes, Bellway Homes, DHL International.
1990
Executive Image supplied all the staff uniforms for the new Crowne Plaza Hotel in Leeds. For the official opening they wanted a young boy to hand over the scissors to the chairman of Whitbread to cut the “ribbon”. We made my nephew Daniel a tailcoat in the same style and fabric to match both concierge and front of house staff.
2004
Sale of Executive Image to Corporate CMT. We saw that made to measure tailoring was becoming more of an engineered concept. Master Tailor was established to offer a visiting tailoring service offering garments made to a very high specification.
2013
Opened Mens Clothing Room an online ready to wear menswear store offering classical men’s clothing from quintessential British brands.
2018
We are proud of our family clothing heritage and therefore rebranded back to our original company name of Alexander Rose.
Yes, we can! Please email if your country is not listed, and we will see what we can do.