Gloves and Glove-making

From workaday marigolds to hand-wear custom crafted for the Queen, gloves perform many functions – insulation from the cold, protection from injury, and even ceremonial roles. Gloves have been used since prehistoric times, but in Britain their use as formal and fashion items took off during Elizabeth I’s reign, and played a surprisingly significant cultural role well into the nineteenth century. They were often given as precious gifts, used in coronation ceremonies, sent to indicate assent, or even to offer a formal challenge. This beautifully illustrated history, published in association with the Worshipful Company of Glovers of London, delves into the glove’s place in history, offers detailed descriptions of their production in the artisanal workshop and on the factory floor, and also tells the fascinating story of the closely guarded privileges of the glove-makers’ guilds.

Author Biography

Mike Redwood has been involved in the glove business for around three decades, as part of a life-long career in the leather business. He worked for Pittards, world leader in glove leather as Commercial Director, travelling the world in search of the best raw material and working with the world’s top brands in fashion, retail and sports, then designed and developed golf gloves for the world leader FootJoy. He is a liveryman of the Guild of Glovers in London, sitting on their industry committee. He now is a part-time teaching fellow in marketing at Bath, and a visiting professor in Leather at the University of Northampton. He edits three industry magazines, and will be writing for a new industry magazine starting this year. He is a trustee of both the Museum of Leathercraft and the Leather Conservation Centre.