DAKS: Company Info

In 1894, a gentleman named Simeon Simpson founded a tailoring business in London that bore his name. By 1917, the business had grown so well that he was able to set up a factory. Growth continued strong, and in 1929, a move to larger premises in Stoke Newington was imminent. Three years later, Simeon had sadly passed away, but his Simpson-company  had grown to become the sixth largest menswear manufacturer in England, exporting high quality products all over the world. Alec Simpson took over the company, and decided to take it into a new direction. In addition to custom and made-to-measure clothing, the company also began producing ready-to-wear clothing, and in 1933 the DAKS-trademark was registered.

This name is believed to be a combination of the words “dad” and “slacks”. A year later, DAKS patented a great invention in trousers: a waistband tensioner, which meant that the company’s trousers did not need a belt or braces. The same year, the first women’s clothing was produced. Alec Simpson also bought the old Geological Museum building, where he opened the revolutionary department store Simpson. The business flourished to the point that the Stoke Newington factory became too small and DAKS moved its manufacturing facilities to Larkhall in Scotland.

A new large factory was opened in 1948. The hard work was rewarded in 1956 when Simpson received the Royal Seal of the Duke of Edinburgh. Four years later, the Queen granted the company another title. In 1976, new territory was on the horizon. The company's managing director, Johnny Mengers, designed DAKS's own tartan pattern, which from then on adorned numerous garments, either directly on the fabric or on the linings. The camel and vicuna colours were deliberately chosen to depict very fine materials, while the black top stripe provided contrast.

In the 1980s, DAKS focused more on its accessories, and in 1983 the company received its third Seal of the Royal Purveyor, this time from the Prince of Wales. Along with Barbour and John Lobb, DAKS is one of the few companies to have been honoured with the honour three times. In 1994, DAKS celebrated its centenary in a grand manner, and a couple of years later, the book The British Tradition – Simpson, A World Of Style was published in honour of the company’s shopping centre. Despite this, in 1999 the company’s management team decided to close the shopping centre and focus DAKS’s resources on strengthening the brand. Simpson (Piccadilly) closed its doors for the last time in January of that year.

In 2000, the company opened its new flagship store at 10 Old Bond Street. It has thousands of square metres of showroom and retail space, and three years later a smaller men's store opened its doors on prestigious Jermyn Street. A fine women's collection was designed in 2005, followed by a men's one a year later. The flagship store underwent a complete makeover and reopened in 2007. Today, DAKS is one of Britain's trusted clothing companies, with men's and women's clothing and accessories exported around the world.