Connolly Leather

Connolly Leather Ltd.. , a British company for leather manufacturers from Ashford in Kent, the particular made ​​a name as a supplier of automotive brands in the upper price segment.

The company evolved from a simple London shoemaker, which had specialized in quick repairs. In 1878, John Connolly, Joseph and Samuel Frederick Connolly changed the business structure and is geared towards the production of new leather. In the following years the company manufactured mainly leather for the interior of carriages, the company grew and the royal supplier. Among other things, the company played a role as a saddler the coronation carriage at the Coronation of Edward VII in 1902.

In its heyday, the firm supplied nearly all British luxury brands, such as Aston Martin, Jaguar, Bentley or Rolls -Royce. Foreign luxury brands used Connolly leather, for example, Maserati or Ferrari. At that time, Connolly leather was considered one of the most valuable interior materials at all.

In addition to the later major works in Ashford and Northampton founded the company in the nineties more plants abroad. A collaboration with U.S. companies failed due to lack of awareness.

1998 was acquired by the British fashion designer, retailer and founder of the fashion label JOSEPH Joseph Ettedgui that Connolly Luxury Goods brand. Ettedguis wife Isabel was the chief designer at Connolly and had encouraged the expansion of the Connolly - range in the early 1990s. Under Ettedguis line -designed by Andrée Putman opened a flagship store in London's Conduit Street, which still exists today. Connolly London sells leather accessories, apparel, bags, and luggage in the upper price segment.

The production of leather for the automotive equipment was set in 2000 and in 2002 the company announced Connolly finally bankruptcy. The last built with Connolly leather car is the Pontiac Bonneville SSEI, to adjust the model for 2005 has been worked with Connolly leather.