There is a poolside revolution going on and something might be up when a luxury swimwear brand makes it into the London Stock Exchange?s ?1,000 Companies To Inspire Britain? annual of fastest-growing small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) in the UK, as tailored men?s swim shorts maker Orlebar Brown did in 2015.
Appalled by the standard of the men?s swimming clobber whilst at a pool party in Rajasthan in India?s north-west a decade ago, photographer Adam Brown decided to produce a range of swimwear that would reflect the elegance and sophistication of the French Riviera and Palm Beach of the 1960s.
Brown?s collection of tailored shorts has now evolved into a full resort range including T-shirts, polo shirts, knitwear and accessories. These days their range is stocked at around 350 outlets globally with menswear accounting for 90% of the business, of which swimwear accounts for c.45%. The West London-based business was expected to reach £20m (c.$28.8m) in revenues in 2016 – up 40% over the year before. The likes of actor Daniel Craig donned their sky blue ?Setter? shorts in the role of James Bond ‘007’ in the film Skyfall. Adding to the celebrity endorsement, last summer the former British Prime Minister David Cameron was seen on the beach in Orlebar?s ?Bulldog? swim shorts
The private equity interest in the two main swimwear companies is worth noting. In 2012, private equity firm G-III Apparel Group, who licenses brands including Calvin Klein ...