Alfred Dunhill

Originally farmers and shopkeepers in Nottinghamshire, Alfred Dunhill’s direct ancestors had moved to London to set up as linen drapers on Oxford Street. Capitalizing on the number of horses in London, they soon built up a successful harness business on Euston Road that Alfred took over in 1893 at the age of 21. The beginning of Alfred’s stewardship coincided with the dawn of the motorcar for which he converted his father’s horse carriage accessories business to motorcar accessories.

“Dunhill’s Motorities,” as their store on the Euston Road was known, housed a showroom, workshops and offices, and it supplied accessories to the manufacturers, chauffeurs and mechanics of the motorcar trade. Dunhill’s Motorities ranged from heavy leather coats to helmets and goggles and all else that was needed for protection in an open motorcar. Mechanical accessories were also an important part of the Dunhill’s Motorities range: car horns, dashboard clocks, motoring lamps and trunks.

Within a few years, the business moved up-market, with the opening of two Dunhill’s Motorities stores in Mayfair. In accordance with the etiquette of the time, one store was exclusive to ladies and the other exclusive to gentlemen. By this time, Dunhill’s had become known not only for practical and reliable motoring accessories, but also for fashionable motoring attire. The Dunhill’s Motorities catalog featured over 1,300 items illustrating all that was available.

Dunhill’s Motorities became such an integral part of the motoring scene that in 1904, the company won a gold medal for “automobilist’s clothing” at Crystal Palace. “Everything but the Motor” was not only the Dunhill’s Motorities boast, but also a company rule Alfred broke only once with the inventive and rather curious “Dunhill Tweenie” motorcar of 1912.

Over the years, Dunhill began offering a range of 3,500 luxury products in more than 20 stores around the world. At the dawn of the twenty-first century, Dunhill continues to supply luxury goods to the discerning gentleman, and offers a superior selection of exceptional leather goods, timepieces, writing instruments, ready-to-wear, jewelry, and gifts and games.

Products are available at boutiques and fine retailers around the world.

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