Name: Alfred Brown
Founded: 1915 by Herbert Brown in Bramley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Headquarters: Empire Mills, Bramley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Quick Facts
Specialty |
Pure wool and wool-blend worsted suiting fabrics woven entirely in Yorkshire; traditional English cloth updated for modern tailoring |
Range / Collections |
Classic Tailoring, Contemporary Collection, Wool-Mohair Blends, and seasonal bunches for bespoke and made-to-measure markets |
Product Types |
Worsted suiting fabrics for jackets, trousers, and uniforms; available in stock-supported ranges for fast order fulfillment |
Scale / Capacity |
Produces over 25,000 meters of fabric per week with more than 60,000 meters in stock inventory for immediate supply |
Reputation |
Known for consistent quality, reliability, and the preservation of true British textile heritage; supplier to Savile Row and international tailoring houses |
Mill History
Alfred Brown was founded in 1915 by Herbert Brown in Yorkshire. From its early days, the mill wove military uniforms and steadily built expertise in worsted wool textiles.
Over the ensuing century, the Brown family maintained careful control of the operation and invested in modern weaving technology. The mill, known as Empire Mills, still operates in the same weaving shed footprint, though production capacity has increased substantially.
Alfred Brown positions itself as a maker of "everyday luxury suiting cloths," balancing quality and performance, and selling directly to tailors. The company claims to stock over 60,000 meters of fabric inventory to support cut-length orders with fast turnaround.
Their core collections include "Classic Tailoring" (all-season to winter weights) in pure wool and wool-mohair blends, with a range of weaves like twills, hopsacks, and plain weaves.
Alfred Brown combines a heritage of British weaving with modern efficiency and direct service to tailors, aiming to make fine English cloth more accessible without compromising on consistency or craftsmanship.
Why We Love Alfred Brown
Alfred Brown is part of our stock selection of fabrics, meaning the turnaround time is typically quicker for a garment made with Alfred Brown fabrics. It is a small English, family owned mill, with everything done completely in house.
We particularly love their high-twist wool selection for a durable trouser, and their wool-linen mix for a breathable summer suit. Being English, the fabrics tend to be a bit heavier, but that means they finish very cleanly and hang nicely from the body.