Henri Lloyd
Product brand
UnclaimedBritish sailing and outdoor clothing brand known for technical foul-weather gear, waterproof fabrics, and long-standing links with ocean racing.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Henri Lloyd is a British sailing and outdoor clothing brand established in Manchester in 1963 by Henri Strzelecki and Angus Lloyd. Its identity was shaped by Strzelecki’s experience as a Polish soldier, his postwar textile and design training in Manchester, and the practical demands of British sailing. The company became associated with technical garments for sailors, including waterproof jackets, oilskins, trousers, footwear, and later breathable foul-weather systems for offshore and professional use. The brand’s early reputation rested on combining durable construction with fabric and fastening innovations. It used Bri-Nylon, a bright, colourfast nylon material, and introduced or advanced features including non-corrosive nylon zippers, Velcro closures on waterproof garments, hand-taped seams, and Gore-Tex waterproofing. Henri Lloyd subjected Gore-Tex systems to more than 22,000 hours of round-the-world testing at sea before selling high-performance breathable foul-weather clothing in 1994. In 2001, its TP3 Reflex Jacket and Hi-Fit Trouser received the DAME Design Award at the Marine Equipment Trade Show in Amsterdam. Henri Lloyd’s products gained visibility through prominent voyages and expeditions. A Consort Jacket was worn by Sir Francis Chichester during his 1966–67 solo circumnavigation. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston wore Henri Lloyd oilskins during his 1969 non-stop solo circumnavigation, while Sir Ranulph Fiennes and the Transglobe Expedition crew used the company’s foul-weather gear. The brand also supplied or supported sailors including Chay Blyth, Naomi James, Sir Ben Ainslie, and Shirley Robertson. Although technical sailing remained central, Henri Lloyd developed a strong fashion and lifestyle following. In the 1980s, its Consort Jacket became associated with Milan’s Paninaro scooter scene, where it was worn alongside Levi’s 501 jeans and Timberland boots. The brand was also connected with Manchester’s Madchester culture. During the mid-1990s it introduced Henri Lloyd Black Label, a Massimo Goggi-designed line that combined Italian-influenced sportswear with technical fabrics. The company was named UK Fashion Brand of the Year in 1997. The Consort Jacket, originally designed by Strzelecki in 1965, was revisited in a 21-version collection for 2017. Henri Lloyd expanded its profile through sports partnerships. It supplied clothing and footwear technology to Brawn GP in Formula One in 2009, supported Sir Ben Ainslie from 1996, and served as technical clothing supplier to the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race from 2002. It also supported Land Rover BAR’s 2017 America’s Cup campaign, the FAST40+ Class, Cowes Classics Week, and the later Ineos Team UK America’s Cup programme. The brand has subsequently presented itself as a performance clothing partner to America’s Cup and SailGP-related teams. The business experienced severe financial pressure in 2018. Its brand and trademarks were sold to Swedish investment firm Aligro Group, and the operating company entered administration in June. The transaction resulted in the loss of 128 jobs, closure of the Manchester office, and relocation of the brand’s base to Sweden. Aligro announced a 2019 relaunch focused on 25 men’s and women’s styles for one-design sailing, keelboats, superyachts, and Northern European and Mediterranean sailors. Monte Rosa Capital acquired the brand in 2022. In 2023, Scottish menswear designer Kestin Hare was announced as creative director, indicating a continued effort to combine technical sailing heritage with contemporary design.
History
Henri Lloyd was founded in Manchester in 1963 by Henri Strzelecki and Angus Lloyd. Strzelecki had served in the Polish Army during the Second World War and received Polish and British military medals in 1946. After settling in Manchester, he studied textiles and design and worked with local clothing companies before establishing the brand. He became known within the business as “Mr Henri” and “Waterproof Henry.” In 1985 he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, followed by Queen’s Awards for Export Achievement in 1986 and 1987. The company’s early growth came from practical sailing clothing and a willingness to apply emerging textile and construction technologies. Henri Lloyd used Bri-Nylon, a nylon fabric valued for retaining vivid colour, and developed garments with non-corrosive nylon zippers and Velcro closures. It also promoted hand-taped seams as an alternative to varnished seam construction. Gore-Tex was eventually incorporated into its breathable waterproof systems. Before Henri Lloyd commercialised high-performance Gore-Tex foul-weather gear in 1994, the technology underwent more than 22,000 hours of round-the-world testing at sea. In 2001, the TP3 Reflex Jacket and Hi-Fit Trouser won the DAME Design Award at the Marine Equipment Trade Show in Amsterdam. The brand’s reputation was reinforced by high-profile expeditions and sailing records. Sir Francis Chichester wore a Henri Lloyd Consort Jacket during his 1966–67 solo circumnavigation. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston wore Henri Lloyd oilskins for his 1969 solo, non-stop circumnavigation. Henri Lloyd clothing was also used by Sir Ranulph Fiennes and the Transglobe Expedition, as well as by sailors including Chay Blyth and Naomi James. During the 1980s and 1990s, Henri Lloyd expanded beyond specialist marine equipment. The Consort Jacket became an emblem of Milan’s Paninaro youth culture in 1984 and was also associated with Manchester’s Madchester scene. Henri Lloyd Black Label, launched in the mid-1990s, used Massimo Goggi’s designs to connect Italian-inspired sportswear with advanced fabrics. The company received the UK Fashion Brand of the Year award in 1997. A later revival of the Consort Jacket produced 21 editions in 2017. Sporting partnerships became an important part of the brand’s communication and product development. Henri Lloyd sponsored Sir Ben Ainslie from 1996 and supported Shirley Robertson. It supplied technical clothing for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race from 2002, partnered with Brawn GP in Formula One in 2009, and supplied kit for Land Rover BAR’s 2017 America’s Cup campaign. Other partnerships included the FAST40+ Class, Cowes Classics Week, and Ineos Team UK’s attempt at the 36th America’s Cup. The brand later identified itself with America’s Cup and SailGP performance-clothing partnerships. The business encountered major financial problems in 2018. The brand and trademarks were sold to Aligro Group, and the operating company entered administration in June. The restructuring cost 128 jobs and ended the Manchester office’s operation, while the brand moved to Sweden. Aligro subsequently outlined a narrower product relaunch for 2019, aimed at European sailors and covering one-design sailing, keelboats, and superyachts. Monte Rosa Capital acquired Henri Lloyd in 2022. In 2023 the brand appointed Kestin Hare as creative director, continuing its attempt to balance maritime technical credibility with broader contemporary menswear.
- 2023
Kestin Hare appointed creative director
[1]Menswear designer Kestin Hare joined the brand as creative director.
- 2022
Acquired by Monte Rosa Capital
[1]Monte Rosa Capital acquired Henri Lloyd.
- 2018
Administration and Aligro Group acquisition
[1]The operating company entered administration, while Aligro Group acquired the brand and trademarks.
- 2017
FAST40+ and Consort Jacket initiatives
[1]Henri Lloyd announced a three-year FAST40+ sponsorship and released a 21-edition reinterpretation of the Consort Jacket.
- 2009
Brawn GP partnership
[1]The brand became official supplier of clothing and footwear technology to the Brawn GP Formula One team.
- 2002
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race partnership
[1]Henri Lloyd became technical clothing supplier to the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
- 2001
DAME Design Award
[1]The TP3 Reflex Jacket and Hi-Fit Trouser won the DAME Design Award.
- 1994
Gore-Tex foul-weather gear commercialised
[1]After extensive sea testing, Henri Lloyd introduced high-performance breathable Gore-Tex foul-weather clothing.
- 1985
Henri Strzelecki appointed MBE
[1]Founder Henri Strzelecki received appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
- 1969
Oilskins used by Robin Knox-Johnston
[1]Sir Robin Knox-Johnston wore Henri Lloyd oilskins during his solo, non-stop circumnavigation.
Products and positioning
Premium technical sailing and outdoor clothing brand combining maritime performance, fabric innovation, expedition credibility, and British lifestyle design.
Sailing jacket · 1965
Consort Jacket
Designed by Henri Strzelecki in 1965, the Consort Jacket became a defining Henri Lloyd product. It gained credibility through ocean-sailing use and later became a fashion item in the Paninaro and Madchester scenes. The brand revisited the design in 2017 with a collection of 21 editions.
Technical sailing outerwear
TP3 Reflex Jacket
The TP3 Reflex Jacket was part of Henri Lloyd’s technical sailing range and was designed for demanding marine conditions. Together with the Hi-Fit Trouser, it won the DAME Design Award in 2001.
Sailing trousers
Hi-Fit Trouser
The Hi-Fit Trouser formed a technical apparel system with the TP3 Reflex Jacket. Its recognition at the 2001 DAME Design Awards reflected Henri Lloyd’s emphasis on protective construction and performance-oriented marine clothing.
Waterproof sailing apparel · 1994
Gore-Tex foul-weather gear
Henri Lloyd’s Gore-Tex foul-weather garments were developed for breathable waterproof performance. The company reported extensive offshore testing before bringing the system to customers in 1994.
Fashion sportswear · 1990
Henri Lloyd Black Label
Black Label was a mid-1990s fashion line designed by Massimo Goggi. It connected Italian-influenced sportswear styling with technically innovative fabrics and helped broaden Henri Lloyd’s identity beyond specialist sailing clothing.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Ineos Team UK partnership
United Kingdom · International sailing
Henri Lloyd continued its relationship with Sir Ben Ainslie through a partnership with Ineos Team UK for the 2021 America’s Cup campaign.
Outcome. The partnership maintained the brand’s role in British high-performance sailing.
- 2017Land Rover BAR America’s Cup technical partnership
International sailing
Henri Lloyd supplied technical sailing clothing for Land Rover BAR’s America’s Cup campaign, including a neoprene long john and top developed with the team.
Outcome. The collaboration supported the brand’s performance-innovation narrative in elite sailing.
- 2017FAST40+ Class sponsorship
Europe
Henri Lloyd announced a three-year sponsorship of the FAST40+ Class, providing bespoke crew clothing and a perpetual trophy.
Outcome. The arrangement increased the brand’s visibility in competitive keelboat racing.
- 2009Brawn GP Formula One partnership
International motorsport
Henri Lloyd became the Brawn GP team’s official supplier of clothing and footwear technology.
Outcome. The partnership extended the brand’s technical-performance associations beyond sailing.
- 2002Clipper Round the World Yacht Race technical partnership
International
The brand became technical clothing supplier to the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Outcome. The partnership reinforced Henri Lloyd’s offshore and endurance-sailing positioning.
- 1996Sir Ben Ainslie sponsorship
United Kingdom · International sailing
Henri Lloyd began sponsoring sailor Sir Ben Ainslie, who was described as the brand’s first commercial sponsor relationship.
Outcome. The relationship continued through later America’s Cup and British sailing initiatives.
Brand decisions
2022
Acquisition by Monte Rosa CapitalM&ABackground
Henri Lloyd changed ownership again after its Aligro Group period.
Action taken
Monte Rosa Capital acquired the brand.
Aftermath
The acquisition placed the brand under new investment ownership; further operating details are not established in the supplied sources.
2018
Sell brand and trademarks to Aligro GroupM&ABackground
Henri Lloyd faced severe financial difficulties and reduced costs while divesting assets.
Action taken
The brand and trademarks were sold to Swedish investment firm Aligro Group.
Aftermath
The operating company entered administration, 128 jobs were lost, the Manchester office closed, and the brand moved to Sweden.
2018
Refocus product range on European sailorsStrategyBackground
Following the ownership transition, Henri Lloyd sought to relaunch with a more focused assortment.
Action taken
The company announced a 2019 relaunch of 25 men’s and women’s styles for one-design sailing, keelboats, and superyachts, with Northern European and Mediterranean sailors as key audiences.
Aftermath
The strategy repositioned the brand around a narrower European performance-sailing offer.
Sources2 sources
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