Our Heritage
From a lineage of Freemen and textile merchants based in the Scottish countryside close to the border of Northern England, to the far away shores of Southern New Zealand, the fourth generation Dunlop family governs this innovative design-based organisation across the Asia-Pacific region.
John Dunlop of Mayfield
John Dunlop of Mayfield
John Renton Dunlop of Mayfield
James Dunlop
John Renton Dunlop
John R. Dunlop
1776
Scottish origins
In 1776 James Dunlop & Son was established in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Scotland. John Dunlop travelled 10 miles each day from his farmhouse 'Mayfield' in the village of Reston to his general store which stocked an array of fashionable garments and textiles. The business flourished under the stewardship of future generations, until the possibilities of the new world beckoned in the 1890s.
1907
A new world
James Dunlop was one of many Scots who chose to emigrate in response to high taxation and political unrest. He paused briefly in Tasmania before arriving in Wellington and finally settling in Dunedin, which with a sheltered port and proximity to the Central Otago gold rush, was the commercial centre of New Zealand.
With acquaintances in the textiles industry, James Dunlop & Co. Ltd. was established in 1907 as a general importer and agent of Scottish apparel tweeds. His eldest son John Renton Dunlop succeeded him in 1928 at age 20, expanding the wholesale offering to distribute everything from clocks and watches to hats, handkerchiefs, gloves, and scarves.
1950s
James Dunlop Textiles
At the request of their father, John, Tony, and Tom joined the family business in the early 1950s. As a sales representative covering the Christchurch territory, John Jr. travelled for months with 27 suitcases visiting customers from the West Coast to Christchurch, Nelson, and Blenheim, before crossing the Cook Strait to Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and Taranaki.
With an affinity for the innovations and colours being developed in the textiles industry, general products and apparel textiles began to be dropped from the range and in 1958 the company was renamed James Dunlop Textiles.
2000s
Global expansion and original design
In the early 2000s James Dunlop began designing textiles in addition to their existing distribution of European fabrics, and the 2011 acquisition of Mokum Textiles strengthened the upholstery offering and opened the company to the Australian and American markets. Zepel Fabrics was acquired in 2017, expanding the commercial product range and formalizing an international partnership with Bru Textiles.
Together, James Dunlop, Mokum, and Zepel became the James Dunlop Group; a global business encompassing two design studios, three house brands, two warehouses, and a unique sample making function.
2020s
The future
The 2020s saw the company pivot to offer digital solutions to a traditionally tactile industry; transitioning internal processes whilst revolutionizing the way textiles are visualized and specified. As part of a global network of designers, mills, consolidators, and distribution partners, together we make looking good easy.
