Private White V.C. keeps Salford's clothing heritage alive by the Irwell

On the banks of the River Irwell in Salford stands a factory with one of the longest garment-making histories in the region. Clothes have been produced on the site since 1853, and today it is home to Private White V.C., a menswear brand built on that heritage.

The brand takes its name from Private Jack White, whose life became closely bound up with the factory. According to the Science Museum Group, he joined as an apprentice pattern cutter after the First World War, rose to become general manager by 1934 and bought the company outright in 1937.

The factory played its part in two world wars. Science Museum Group records note that it produced gabardine trench coats during the First World War and waterproof parkas for the RAF during the Second. Jack White later sold the business in 1949 because of ill health, according to Creative Tourist.

The modern story began when the family brought the business back under their ownership in 2007, and the name changed in 2010. Brummell Magazine credits James Eden, Jack White's great-grandson, with founding the brand that year.

What makes Private White V.C. stand out is how much still happens under one roof. The Rake has described how the Salford site houses design, production, the head office and the brand's garment archives, so the people drawing up new pieces work close to those making them.

Local supply is part of the philosophy too. Creative Tourist notes that much of the cloth comes from mills in Greater Manchester and that garments are made on the premises, keeping skills and work in the region.

The brand is best known for its outerwear, but it has broadened its range. Brummell Magazine has reported on Flaneur, a loungewear line knitted from merino and cashmere blends, adding softer pieces to a wardrobe known for structured coats and jackets.

The factory also welcomes shoppers. A factory shop with a showroom has opened to the public, offering the chance to browse the collection a short walk from the cutting tables. Details of the shop and the current collection can be found on the brand's website before planning a visit.