2024.07.09
The Quality Acknowledged by James Bond: The Heritage of Luxury T-Shirts Woven by "SUNSPEL"
How did the "T-shirts" we wear in our daily lives come to be?
The roots can be traced back to the 19th century Europe where they were initially born as undergarments. The turning point in spreading globally was during World War I when American soldiers brought back French Navy's undergarments to the U.S. During World War II, the American military adopted cotton undergarments, and when soldiers returned home wearing them post-war, it caught on among civilians.
Moreover, movies played a significant role in boosting T-shirts' recognition as a fashion item. In 1951’s "A Streetcar Named Desire," Marlon Brando, and in 1955’s "Rebel Without a Cause," James Dean were shown wearing T-shirts. T-shirts, which had been considered as undergarments until then, suddenly became a top choice for styling. They continued to evolve tied to various cultures like sports, music, and corporate advertising.
In the midst of this evolution, the T-shirts by "SUNSPEL" have carved out a unique luxurious path. With their meticulously selected materials and excellent craftsmanship, they have transformed T-shirts into luxury wear.
This time, guided by the creative director, let's unveil the lineage of SUNSPEL T-shirts that has been handed down to the present.
PROFILE
David Telfer
SUNSPEL Creative Director
After working at COS as a menswear designer, he has been in his current role since 2016.
A Brand Synonymous with Luxury T-shirts Using Meticulously Chosen Materials Worldwide
First, could you tell us about the origin of the brand?
Founded in Nottingham, UK, in 1860. The founder Thomas Hill aimed to create the finest underwear using the highest quality wool, silk, and the world's most rare Sea Island cotton in his own factory.
It is said to be synonymous with luxury T-shirts, but why is that?
SUNSPEL began making T-shirts with Sea Island cotton in the early 20th century. It was groundbreaking to use such a luxurious material for clothing still recognized as undergarments at that time. In other words, SUNSPEL can be said to have made the world's first luxury T-shirts.The Rare Caribbean Cotton Symbolizing SUNSPEL's Quality
Sea Island cotton, which is indispensable when talking about the brand's history, is a unique material. Can you tell us about it?
Sea Island cotton is the world's finest cotton, often called the 'jewel of fibers'. It's a type of Barbadian cotton grown in the Caribbean islands, accounting for only about 0.0004% of the global cotton supply. SUNSPEL uses the handpicked Sea Island cotton grown in the Caribbean.
How is Sea Island cotton different from regular cotton?
It is classified as "extra-long staple cotton," meaning the fibers are much longer than regular cotton's. While ordinary cotton fibers are about 2 centimeters in length, Sea Island cotton fibers exceed 5 centimeters. As a result, it feels as smooth and supple as cashmere, with excellent moisture-absorbent and moisture-release properties, and a rich sheen reminiscent of silk.
If there is a downside, it's that the rare material makes stable supply challenging. Although it's difficult to secure this material, we have strong ties with the production areas, allowing us to continue making T-shirts using this material every season.
A Timeless Standard Model Produced in Their Own Factory
Besides Sea Island cotton, there are other models made with special cotton, right?Yes, since the early 1900s, we've been making the "Classic T-shirt." It uses high-quality extra-long staple cotton from the U.S., known as Pima cotton. For this model, we use Supima® cotton, which stands for "Superior Pima," the highest quality among Pima cottons.
Furthermore, SUNSPEL exclusively selects Supima cotton ethically grown on a single farm in California. The unique material "Q82" used in the "Classic T-shirt" is made from this Supima cotton.
Over the years, we have continuously improved this material, focusing on the yarn. Each fiber is combed to remove impurities, twisted for strength and smoothness, and gas-burned to eliminate fuzz and impurities. When knitted with this yarn, "Q82" offers a rich sheen and smoothness, with a soft and gentle touch. Additionally, it is durable, retaining its shape despite repeated wear and washing.
Share Article
TOP ARTICLES
RELATED ARTICLES
CONTACT
If you have any questions or enquiries, please enter your details in the form below.