John Smedley, the long-established British knitwear brand, has announced a capsule collection titled “JOHN SMEDLEY for WALES BONNER” in collaboration with Wales Bonner.The collection will go on sale on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at John Smedley’s directly operated stores in Japan and on its official online shop.
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The Craftsmanship of the Capsule CollectionHigh-quality British-made items, centered on polo shirts, infused with modern preppy designs
At the heart of the capsule collection are polo shirts featuring chic colors inspired by plants and tree bark, with ivory tones making a striking impression.Crafted from high-quality, delicate extra-fine merino wool, the shirts convey a preppy aesthetic without feeling stuffy. All items are produced at John Smedley’s headquarters and factory in Derbyshire, England. The result is a one-of-a-kind capsule collection that blends British craftsmanship with contemporary design.
Background of the CollaborationWales Bonner explores John Smedley’s 240-year-plus archive to reinterpret British-made aesthetics
Wales Bonner is a London-based fashion brand founded by British designer Grace Wales Bonner. It is known for its unique, luxurious hybrid style that blends traditional European tailoring with her British and Jamaican roots and diverse cultural background.This collection was unveiled at Paris Fashion Week 2025 as part of Wales Bonner’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection.
For this collaboration, designer Grace Wales Bonner visited the headquarters and factory of John Smedley, which has been in operation since its founding in 1784. She meticulously researched the brand’s archives spanning over 240 years.She drew inspiration from mid-20th-century knitwear, including checkered textures, lace-like collars, and surface finishes so delicate they are barely noticeable unless viewed up close.For John Smedley, this collaboration served as an opportunity to reexamine its own archives from a contemporary perspective, placing as much emphasis on delicacy as on British craftsmanship.
Jess Maguire-Dudley, Managing Director of John Smedley, said, “John Smedley has long admired Grace Wales Bonner’s design aesthetic and values.We also wanted to collaborate with a brand—whether domestic or international—that truly understands the tradition of British manufacturing and can expand the possibilities of knitwear. The fusion of Grace’s integrity and creativity with our tradition of authenticity and craftsmanship has created the ideal partnership. We are delighted to bring this project to life.”
The ‘JOHN SMEDLEY for WALES BONNER’ lineupTwo styles and three items of knit polo shirts, plus a knit pullover, all made from extra-fine merino wool
This capsule collection features three styles and four items: the Short-sleeved polo shirt (A4938) in two colors, the Short-sleeved polo shirt (A4939), and the Crew-neck multi-striped jumper (A4947).All items are made from extra-fine merino wool.
Release Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Country of Origin: Made in England
Available at: JOHN SMEDLEY Ginza, JOHN SMEDLEY Aoyama, JOHN SMEDLEY Osaka, JOHN SMEDLEY Official Online Store
