|
Harris Sumrie
Harris Sumrie (1866–1951) was a Polish, Jewish immigrant who founded the pioneering men's fashion textile company, C. and M. Sumrie Ltd, in Leeds in 1891. Harris was a skilled tailor who foresaw the potential of providing high-class male tailoring to a mass market eager for clothing that had aesthetic appeal.[1] He founded a company specializing in the production of high-class ready-to-wear clothing and bespoke tailoring.[1] To do this, he developed a process for creating garments in 100 different sizes.[2] He is credited with providing the first ready-to-wear garment to the London market, and establishing Leeds as the leading center of ready-to-wear fashion.[1] Throughout its history, Sumries was known for producing good quality clothes for the gentleman of taste.[3][4] Early lifeHarris was born in Głowno, Congress Poland, Russian Empire in May 1866, to Myer and Rebecca Sumrie.[5] He began in the textile trade as a boy and arrived as a journeyman in Leeds in 1886.[6] He and his wife, Malka Tulinsky (b.1860 Poland-1926), known as Mary, were listed in Leeds as Russian nationals, despite being proud of their Polish identity.[7] Their first child, Maurice, was born in Russia in 1885.[5] Their other children were all born in Leeds, Carl Saul (b. 1891), Esther (b. 1894), and Charles (b. 1896).[5] Textile CompanyIn 1911, Harris was operating out of a bay-windowed house in Exmouth Grove, Leeds, as a coat maker and tailor.[5][8] By 1919, he employed around 35 people.[1] During World War I, the business grew rapidly under Harris and his sons, and in 1921, it moved to new premises, a two-story building, on Woerth Place, Camp Road.[3] The firm employed 250 people.[6] In 1922, they trademarked their 'welcut' clothing line.[3] In 1924, another factory was opened at Stamford Works, Cross Stamford Street, where a further 300 people were employed.[3][1] In 1932, the business became a private company.[3]  In May 1934, a new factory, called Sumrie House on York Road, was opened by the Lord mayor of Leeds, Mr A. E. Wilkinson.[3][8] The architect was Mr C. Castelow.[8] The architecture was noted for its dignified appearance, with a south-front using sand-faced bricks and horizontal lines, coloured steel window frames, an entrance hall lined with marble, and spacious, well-lit and brightly colored interiors.[1] This architecture was seen as a reflection of the changing face of Leeds industries, from smoke-laden and cramped factories, to a modern, clean appearance.[1] The planning of the machinery was supervised by the consulting engineer, Mr. J. Edwin Storr, including a special layout of steam boilers and steam pipes for process work and heating, electric lifts, and individual motor drives on benches to keep walkways clear.[1] The sewing machines were supplied by The Bellow Machine Co. and the pressing machines were Hoffman Presses, made by Isaac Braithwaite & Son of Kendal and Leeds.[1] There was also a canteen with steam, gas and electric units; the latest system of telephone communications between departments; and an innovative stock room to store garments.[1] Messrs Mason and Co. were responsible for installing the showroom, clad with Australian walnut and tungum, with north-facing windows for good light, and display cases featuring garments for the season ahead.[1] At the opening ceremony in May 1934, the chairman presented a check for £250 to the Leeds General Infirmary Appeal and £100 to the German Fund.[8] The business now employed 1,300 people, a rapid increase noted at the 1934 opening ceremony.[8][6] At Sumrie House, there were a team of designers working on perfecting garment fit and also the garments' appearance. Seventy models were employed to provide garments in seventy different sizes.[1] The firm exported its goods around the world, particularly to Australia, South Africa and Europe.[3] Stamford Works was retained for the production of boys' clothing, later moving to Lovell Road.[3] In the 1930s, the firm employed the advertising slogan 'Sumrie clothes are good', which continued to be used in the 1950s.[3][9] They also developed 'Sumgrip', hip-fastening flannels, in competition with Simpson Daks.[3] LegacyHarris died on 30 September 1951 and is buried in the United Hebrew Congregation cemetery in Gildersome.[5] In his will, he left £4,796 5s 5d to his sons Carl Saul and Charles Sumrie.[5] Harris's sons continued to grow the family business. In 1957, Sumrie suits were advertised as being sold at Robinson & Cleaver and at Selfridges.[9] In 1958, they acquired the Ledux brand of women's suits and coats.[3] In 1967, the company sponsored a golf event at Hollinwell course, Nottingham, with a prizes totaling £6,000.[10] In the 1980s, the company moved from Sumrie House, which was later demolished, and taken over by Executex.[3] Harris was featured in the exhibition, Leeds to Innovation (26 October 2019 – 26 September 2020), at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills.[11][12] References
|
||||||||||||||
Portal di Ensiklopedia Dunia
