2023.05.30

The Depth Behind 'Healthknit', Pioneer of the Henley Neck T-Shirt

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When we talk about a 'Henley neck' T-shirt, many people might think of 'Healthknit'. This T-shirt, admired as a classic piece, actually has roots dating back over 120 years. Yoshiteru Harada of the Healthknit Brands, Inc. shared the story of this historic Healthknit Henley neck T-shirt with us.

There's "No Fit Like" Healthknit

"Erected around the time when the Western pioneer era came to an end in America in 1900, Edward J. McMillan established a company called 'Standard Knitting Mill' in Knoxville, Tennessee. Healthknit became the brand of this company.

"Fast forward to around 1920, Knoxville evolved into the world’s largest textile industry district. Thirteen spinning mills congregated, and it was even referred to as the 'Underwear capital of the world'. Among them, Standard Knitting Mill had the largest site in the region (equivalent to two Tokyo Domes), employing over 3,500 people, thanks to its integrated production facilities that produced an astonishing 43 million T-shirts and underwear yearly.