William Halsted - a part of the largest speciality fibre manufacturers and merchants in the world

The company was founded in 1875 in Bradford by William Halstead (1815-1924). Late in 1889 with the business expanding rapidly, William built Stanley Mills to which the company transferred in 1890 and still operates from today.

The business has been run by a further five members of the family until in 2006 the company was acquired by SIL Holdings Ltd, another Bradford based family textile business. SIL are one of the largest speciality fibre manufacturers and merchants in the world.

Types of cloths:
- Bespoke: They work closely with many of their customers to produce exclusive cloths and designs styled to individual requirements.
These designs have been featured in everything from Hollywood blockbusters, to catwalk shows and celebrity fashion shoots.
Bespoke lengths are designed and woven on dedicated sample looms here in Bradford by our highly skilled pattern weaving team.

- Bunches: They offer four stock supported bunches for both tailors and garment makers. All come with the guarantee of "Made In England":
British Super 120s: A range of super 120s & Cashmere twills and plain weave fabrics. The yarns used are two fold in both warp & weft to give the fabrics excellent strength and performance for tailoring.
British Mohair: A range of mohair cloths in various qualities and weights. 100% mohairs, mohair baratheas, kid mohairs, 2 & 3 ply mohairs and tropical dinner jackets.
British Classic: An excellent collection of classic British tailoring cloths in clear cut and flannel designs. The fabrics are 100% wool twills and weigh 320/340gms.
Explorer: A collection of authentic travel cloths in a variety of weights and blends. The cloths have a crisp dry handle ideal for tailored travel suits.

- Seasonal: They produce two seasonal collections a year that feature a wide range of cloths and designs:
British Mohairs: comprehensive collections of luxury mohair suitings using summer kid, kid and adult fibres.
100% Mohair: luxury 100% mohair cloths in the best microns.
Exclusive Fibres: licensed to weave both Camdeboo Mohair and Escorial wool.
Explorer: reverse twist cloth offering superior crease resistance for travellers.
Classic: traditional British worsteds in seasonal designs.
Luxury: range of fabrics in microns up to Super 180s.
Flannels: fully milled Yorkshire flannels created with our finisher Roberts Dyers.
Sun cloths: selection of wool sun designs.

Photos and information: williamhalstead.co.uk