1963 - WHEN IT BEGAN

Over six decades of innovation have passed since one man’s ideas and passion for originality changed waterproof clothing forever. Established in Manchester on the 1st July 1963, by founder and visionary Henri Strzelecki, who was universally known as “Mr Henri”, as people struggled to pronounce his surname. His ideas and determination revolutionised waterproof clothing with design firsts that have been global industry standards to this day, a business that was initially supported by a financier Angus Lloyd – hence the Henri-Lloyd brand was born.

  • 1966-67 Sir Francis Chichester
    Sir Francis Chichester becomes the first person to sail single-handedley around the world, whilst wearing the Henri-Lloyd Consort Jacket.
  • 1967-68 Sir Alec Rose
    Sir Alec Rose, a nursery owner and fruit merchant sails single-handeley around the world on his boat Lively Lady wearing Henri-Lloyd.
  • 1968-69 Sir Robin Knox-Johnston
    Sir Robin Knox-Johnston becomes the first person to sail single-handed around the world non stop, wearing the Henri-Lloyd Consort Jacket.

1969 - NEIL ARMSTRONG BECOMES FIRST MAN TO WALK ON THE MOON

In the same year that Sir Robin was breaking records sailing around the world, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. As he took his first step, Armstrong famously said - “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

  • 1972 - GBR Sailing Team
    The GBR Sailing team compete in the Olympics wearing Henri-Lloyd. Kiel hosted the Olympic sailing competitions for the second time. The sailing took place on the triangular type Olympic courses.
  • 1973 - On top of the world
    Henri-Lloyd was leading supplier to the ultimate peaks of Everest and K2.
  • 1976 - Clare Francis
    In 1976, Clare Francis competed in the Observer Single handed Transatlantic race in her Ohlson 38 yacht and setting a new women’s single-handed transatlantic record wearing Henri-Lloyd.

1984 - MICHAEL JORDAN MAKES HIS DEBUT FOR THE CHICAGO BULLS

On this date, Michael Jordan started his NBA journey. However, his performance against the Washington Bullets was in no way a sign of things to come.

  • 1982 - Paul Rodgers rounds Cape Horn
    “To Henri, Off Cape Horn 06.35hrs. Dry and warm thanks to Henri-Lloyd. Your flag flying. Cheers Paul Rodgers.”
  • 1985 - Mr Henri MBE
    Queen Elizabeth II awards Mr Henri the Member of the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to the clothing industry in 1985.
  • 1986 & 87 - Queen's Award for Export Achievement
    As the brand becomes famous in Italy, Henri-Lloyd are awarded the Queen’s Award for export achievement for 2 years running.

1987 - DENNIS CONNER WINS THE AMERICAS CUP

Skippering ‘Stars & Stripes’ Dennis Conner and his team wins back the America’s cup in Fremantle. “Mr. America's Cup” as he is known went on to win his fourth cup in 1988 and is the most successful America’s Cup skipper of all time. The team’s Henri-Lloyd kit featured a hooped red and navy stripe across the front of the jacket for the first time.

1987 - OLMES CARRETTI CREATES THE ICONIC CONSORT ROUND THE WORLD RACE (RWR) JACKET

The original Consort jacket was transformed by legendary designer Olmes Carretti, who made a number of significant changes without losing the DNA of the product. Changes such as a deeper raglan armhole, corduroy trim to the collar, throat tab, new pockets, the addition of the Round the World Race sleeve badge and most importantly the amazing use of colour and their unlikely combinations.

1989 - ALL-FEMALE CREW, 'MAIDEN'

Having sailed around the world and into history in 1989, Tracey Edwards MBE skippered the first all-female crew in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, becoming the first woman to receive the Yachtsman of the Year Trophy.

1990 - NELSON MANDELA FREED

After a 27-year jail sentence for his revolutionary part in the anti-apartheid movement in Africa, Nelson Mandela was finally freed in 1990. This iconic image shows the jubilant Mandela being release after his wrongful incarceration.

1994 - Arena Homme Plus ARTICLE

Ten years ago, the Henri-Lloyd sailing jacket was a key component in the Paninaro uniform of urban Italians. From Milan, the look trekked across Europe, back to Manchester, its birth-place and base-camp. Pretty soon it was challenging Stone Island as the chosen outfit of the young style warriors of the industrial Northwest of England. It now teeters on the edge of massivedom across the UK and Europe. But the Milanese design engine room is demanding a change of tack. The modern young Latin wants a little more finesse with his function, and where Milan leads Henri-Lloyd follows. This winter Henri-Lloyd is trialing a Black Label range, put together by new designer, and Massimo Osti protege, Massimo Goggi. The small collection replaces the nautical bells-and-whistles of previous ranges with clean lines and trainspotter-fine detail, but retains the high-spec, tech-funk factor. A favourable retail reactions means that next spring will see a complete revamp for the range with the new H-L line taking forward the spirit of the Black Label range. Nick Compton - Arena Homme Plus 1994

  • 1995 - Sea and Country
    Henri-Lloyd launch new Sea and Country collection, where the brand take their knowledge within foul weather gear and adapt it to life in the countryside.
  • 1997 - Swedish Match
    The Henri-Lloyd Ocean Racer suit is seen in action in the Southern Ocean.
  • 1997 - “Madchester”
    Oasis singer/songwriter and rock n roll legend, Noel Gallagher is seen wearing the Henri-Lloyd Padstow knit when out with friends in Leeds.

1998 - SIR BEN AINSLIE JOINS HENRI-LLOYD

Following on from his Silver Olympic medal in Atlanta in 1996, Ben Ainslie joins Henri-Lloyd in what becomes a 25 year unbroken relationship with the brand.

2007 - BMW ORACLE, AMERICAS CUP - VALENCIA

Working alongside the leading sailors from BMW Oracle, a whole new generation of high performance sailing kit, such as Shadow and Fast dri Polos were born. Kitted out in Henri-Lloyd, BMW Oracle Racing through the GGYC was the Challenger-of-Record for the 2007 America’s Cup which was held in Valencia, Spain. BMW Oracle Racing, lost to Luna Rossa Challenge 5 to 1 in the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup Semi Finals.

2009 - INNOVATION AND AWARDS

Henri-Lloyd innovations that create new industry standards continue with the launch of the award winning Optivision hood.

2009 - BLUE ECO WINS DAME AWARD

The launch of the Blue Eco collection saw Henri-Lloyd become the first international marine clothing company to engage in an infinite recycling programme, which marked the start of what Henri-Lloyd believe will be an important journey to reduce the environmental impact of their operations and act as a catalyst for others in the industry to follow suit. Henri-Lloyd scooped the highly sought after DAME Awards special certificate for ‘Most ECO-Friendly’ products, along with winning the Clothing and Crew accessories category.

2011 - PRINCE WILLIAM MARRIES KATE MIDDLETON

The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton took place on Friday, 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London, England. The groom was second in the line of succession to the British throne. Over 5,000 street parties were held throughout the United Kingdom, and one million people lined the route between Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.

2017 - LAND ROVER BAR

Henri-Lloyd become official technical clothing supplier to Land Rover BAR in their bid to win the America’s cup.