A Legacy of Textile Excellence
Over 140 Years of Heritage and Craftsmanship
Standeven is the merchant to our own mill, offering a broad range of the highest quality British cloth through a stock-supported cut-length service. Rooted in heritage design and manufacturing, we combine traditional expertise with a forward-looking approach, producing some of the world’s finest luxury fabrics exclusively for tailors.
All Standeven cloth is woven within our own Yorkshire mill, allowing precise control over production and responsiveness to market needs. Our in-house design team draws inspiration from archives, global customer insight, and emerging trends, translating this knowledge into contemporary, meticulously crafted cloth.
Skilled craftspeople apply age-old techniques with rigorous attention to detail, maintaining exacting standards of consistency and quality control. With a modern sensibility, Standeven remains a trusted partner to tailors worldwide, providing fabrics that balance heritage, innovation, and enduring excellence.
From The Heart of Yorkshire Textiles
Supporting Tailors Around The World
Incorporated in 1885 by founding partners John William Standeven and Sam Earnshaw, the company built its prosperity on exceptional manufacturing and the unwavering dedication of the Standeven generations. John Standeven himself worked more than 16 hours a day, personally creating every design. At its peak, the business produced 50,000 new designs each season. His tireless work ethic, commitment to customers, and
passion for design continue to shape the brand’s blueprint today.
Originally located at Mixenden Mill near Halifax, the company later moved to Ellen Royde Mills and subsequently to Ladyship Mills, also near Halifax. At its height, the business employed 700 people, managing the entire production process from raw materials to finished cloth. Operations included combing, drawing, spinning, weaving, and finishing, producing fabrics ranging from tropical weights to heavy 32oz coatings. The company placed significant emphasis on export markets, maintaining resident representatives in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and the United States, while also serving a strong base of continental customers.
Today, Standeven continues to strive as a leading name in luxury cloth, supporting tailors around the world.
