ALAN PAINE HERITAGE
ESTABLISHED 1907
When William Paine founded our famous knitwear brand he originally named it Paines of Godalming.
William discovered some knitting machines in an old warehouse behind the shop, taught himself and others to knit, and
began to manufacture knitted garments, arguably developing the first
cable knit sweaters.
1920 - 1930
By 1920 the business had grown to include supplying speciality shops -
principally by adding the Club Colour Trim to a plain cable sweater.
SWATCH BOOK
The swatch book held a swatch of wool for each client that could be used
to create a sweater in the required club, school or regimental colours.
PRINCE OF WALES
Cable-knit sweaters were increasing in popularity at this time. It was
in this decade that Alan Paine's most famous unofficial patron, the
Prince of Wales (later to become Edward VIII) ordered his own
personalised sweaters, finished in his regimental colours.
JOAN LYCETT
British women's tennis player Joan Lycett is sporting an Alan Paine
cardigan in this photo. She was the first woman to play at Wimbledon
without stockings.
GROWTH OF THE WORKFORCE
The swatch book held a swatch of wool for each client that could be used to create a sweater in the required club, school or regimental colours.
WHO IS ALAN PAINE?
Alan Paine was born to parents William and Jessie in 1907. Having worked
as an apprentice in a Leicester factory, when he was 18 Alan joined the
family business, taking the helm of the company when William died in
1949.
This was a turning point for the business and marked the
beginning of the expansion to the United States and a company name
change to Alan Paine.
By the end of the sixties, Alan’s sons Richard and Nigel had joined him in the business.
QUEEN'S AWARDS
In 1970 the company was further honoured with its second Queen's Award
for Outstanding Export Achievement. In 1973 Paine's were asked by the
Worshipful Company of Woolmen to knit two vicuna sweaters as a wedding
present for Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips.
RICHARD & NIGEL PAINE
In 1976 Alan's eldest son Richard was appointed Managing Director. His youngest son Nigel played a significant part in developing the North American market until his retirement in 2010.
JAMES HINTON
The company passed through several different owners in the 1990's before
being purchased in 2006 by James Hinton, the present owner.
James joined the company as a sales representative in 1986 progressing
through the ranks to London and European Sales Manager then, in 2000,
Sales Director and Managing Director in 2003.
Following the purchase by James Hinton, Alan Paine had returned to its roots and was once again in family ownership..
ENGLISH EXPLORER COLLECTION
"Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?"
"Because It's There.
Alan Paine has also
created a successful English Explorer collection of contemporary
knitwear and outerwear inspired by the company's connection with the
eminent English mountaineer George Mallory.
Mallory lived in
Godalming and taught at Charterhouse. He died in 1924, attempting to
reach the summit of Everest. When his frozen body was discovered in
1999, various items of clothing were recovered and one item bore the
label W.F. Paine, 72 High Street, Godalming.
COUNTRY COLLECTION
In 2009 Alan Paine launched its country wear collection featuring
stylish tweeds, performance waterproofs, versatile fleeces, quilts,
knitwear and accessories.