About James Hare

1865

The founder, James Hare, sets up as a merchant of woollens and worsteds from a cottage in Leeds.

1891

The company grows into one of the largest fabric wholesalers in Britain specializing in woollens  and worsteds for the tailoring trade.

The founder, James Hare, travels each day into work in a horse and carriage. His wife and daughter would regularly accompany him to go shopping in Leeds. This symbol became the companies' famous horse and carriage logo

1901

Queen Victoria dies, James Hare sells over 250,000 metres of black sturge for funeral wear.

1908

James Hare the founder dies, his sons Arthur and Clifford continue the business.

1913

The company starts to manufacture cloth with 7 looms.

1922

James Hare is the first company outside London to install a teleprinter link.

1931

During wartime, james Hare offers the entire fleet of cars at the disposal of candidates supporting the national government, along with the services of their chauffeurs and department managers.

1933

The company opens a suit making up service.

1935

2,000,000 metres of fabric is despatched from James Hare warehouse in this year.

1937

Record number of orders despatched, 1,168 parcels by 12 noon on the Wednesday following Easter holiday.

1939

James Hare is the only English fabric manufacturer, to guarantee their dyewares during the second world war.

Queen Mary and the Duchesse of Gloucester posed for a photograph on the James hare stand in White City, London

1951

The company concentrates on the export trade, opening offices in Canada and Germany.

1953

James Hare, the founder's great grandson joins the company

1968

Tim Hare, the founder's great grandson joins the company.

1973

The international name “Hare of England” is sold, and the company concentrates on the distribution of fine dress fabrics including silks under the management of James Hare, the great grandson of the founder.

1984

James Hare becomes the leading silk supplier to the bridal trade.

1989

Sold millionth metre of silk

1995

The company stocks the largest colour range of silk Dupion in Europe

1999

Moves into the Interior design trade exhibiting at Design Interiors, Birmingham.

2000

Charlie & Saffron Hare, the founder's great great grandson and daughter join the company.

New colour card of hand woven dupion launched comprising of 160 colours.

Team of agents for the interior trade is established to cover the United Kingdom

2002

Exhibit at Decorex, London for the first time.

2004

A range of cushions and throws is introduced.

2005

Exports now cover over 28 countries.

New design team join James Hare.

2006

Launch the Secret Garden and Venetian Silks collections.

Exhibit at Premier Vision, Paris for the first time.

2007

Launch the Pergola collection.

New Orissa dupion colour card introduced comprising of 74 colours at 140 cms wide.

James Hare sponsors the Nutcracker by the Northern Ballet Company

2008

James Hare opens in Libertys of London dress fabrics department and John Lewis Oxford Street.