Rupert and Buckley

(Redirected from James Buckley Thorp)

Rupert and Buckley was a British University derived clothing brand with its brand headquartered in Barnstaple, Devon.[2]

Rupert and Buckley
Company typePrivate
IndustryFashion
Clothing
Apparel
GenreRetail
Founded2011 (Canterbury, Kent)
FounderJames Buckley-Thorp
HeadquartersBarnstaple, United Kingdom
Area served
United Kingdom
Europe
Ireland
United States
China
Key people
Alexander Newman
ProductsClothing and Accessories
RevenueIncrease £3,000,000 (2017)[1]
Number of employees
7
Websiterupertandbuckley.com

History

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The company was founded in 2011 by James Buckley-Thorp whilst at the University of Kent where he was reading Law.[3]

Having previously sold items in other outlets, the company opened its first own shop in Bath.[2] In November 2013 the fashion label launched its "Brand Ambassador Scheme".[4]

In early 2014, 25% of the company was sold to private investor Nigel Robinson.[2]

On 5 November 2016, Rupert and Buckley opened their new store in the city centre of Oxford. The opening was supported by rising BBC Introducing star Chris Smee.[citation needed]

In January 2017 James Buckley-Thorp resigned[5] as director and a new CEO was appointed. Mr Alexander Newman is the current CEO and sole director of Rupert and Buckley LTD.[citation needed]

On 9 October 2017, Rupert and Buckley were announced as the Official leisurewear partner to The Boat Race, for a period of 3 years. Supply the teams with all their off water apparel.[citation needed]

In May 2019 the company entered in to a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) with its creditors,[6] and in August 2022 the company began liquidation, owing over £3.3m to creditors[7]

Branding and Products

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The brand name was a combination of the founder's surname and the name he'd like to call his first child.[8] The company incorporated aspects of British heritage and sporting design in its products,[2] and used a deep purple and dark yellow colour scheme for its packaging and in some of its products.[8] The fashion label described itself as grassroots university derived styling and the image and style of the branding was for the university market.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Company Check Rupert and Buckley 2014-2015" (PDF). Company Check. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d "Insider News South West – Crowdfunders sought for upmarket fashion label". Insidermedia.com. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  3. ^ "Put your shirt on James to be a top designer". Canterbury Times. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  4. ^ a b Taylor, Rachael (28 October 2013). "Rupert & Buckley grows with student ambassadors". Menswearinsight.com. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  5. ^ Crawley, James (11 April 2017). "Rupert and Buckley eyes return to Bath". Bath Chronicle.
  6. ^ "RUPERT AND BUCKLEY LTD. - Insolvency (free information from Companies House)". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  7. ^ "RUPERT AND BUCKLEY LTD. filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Fashion house re-locates to a county farm". Worcester News. 14 December 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
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