For the Best Days of your Life
Born in Manchester, England in 1963, Henri-Lloyd’s mission was to create the very best weatherproof protection in the world for the then-pioneers in sailing and exploration, those who were determined to explore the unknown and push the boundaries of what was possible.
This pioneering spirit that defined the brand then still endures today, creating exceptional clothing for all conditions, supported by a commitment to sustainable practices.
Henri-Lloyd is more than a clothing brand – it’s a lifestyle, a mindset and an invitation to enjoy the best days of your life.
Our Heritage
Since Henri Strzelecki founded Henri-Lloyd in 1963, we have come a long way. Inspired by the sea, and built to withstand its challenges, our clothing is designed with purpose – engineered to perform and built to last.
Our history is deeply intertwined with the achievements of early sailing pioneers, including iconic figures like Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Sir Francis Chichester, and Sir Ranulph Fiennes. These trailblazers of exploration relied on Henri-Lloyd to provide them with the cutting-edge sailing gear that enabled them to conquer uncharted landscapes and push the boundaries of human achievement.
Milestones in our Journey
From the very beginning, Henri-Lloyd and its partners have dared to challenge the ordinary. Our ambassadors are trail blazers -- paving the way and consistently setting a new standard. Like those that have proudly represented us, we strive to break new ground too. We proudly introduced seam taping in jackets, revolutionising waterproofing and setting a new standard. Innovation is more than a slogan; it’s the hallmark of our design ethos.
1963
Henri-Lloyd is born and our Founder, Henri Strzelecki MBE ('Mr Henri' as he was known) sets out on his journey to create the world's best waterproof clothing to be worn in the most extreme conditions.
1963
Henri-Lloyd introduces the new Bri-nylon fabric to create lightweight, flexible foul weather clothing for sailors and adventurers. At the time fabrics were just stitched, but Mr Henri created a durable waterproof seam by gluing a tape over the seam with pressure applied by hand.
1968 - 1969
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston becomes the first non-stop circumnavigator of the globe. Sir Robin was one of the earliest endorsers of our foul weather gear, who on the 17th of January 1969 completed the first ever non-stop circumnavigation; whilst wearing Henri-Lloyd clothing.
1976
Success and innovation continued through the 1970s, with the British Sailing Team wearing Henri-Lloyd at the 1972 Olympic Games, and Clare Francis wearing Henri-Lloyd when setting a new women's single-handed transatlantic record in 1976.
1979
Referred to as ‘The world’s last great adventure’ by the New York Times, the Transglobe Expedition sees Sir Ranulph Fiennes – protected by Henri-Lloyd foul weather gear – trek through 100,000 miles of demanding Arctic and Antarctic conditions.
1984
Henri-Lloyd entered the world of fashion thanks to the ever influential Milanese youth sub-culture - the Paninaro. Henri-Lloyd epitomised the Paninero’s care free cool, which became a global lifestyle phenomenen.
1985
Awards followed in the 1980s, with Mr Henri being awarded an MBE in 1985, and Henri-Lloyd receiving The Queen's Award for Export Achievement in 1986 and 1987.
1987
Dennis Conner won back the America's Cup during the celebrated series in Fremantle. The entire crew wore Henri-Lloyd, with the famous navy blue and red stripes seen across their jackets for the first time, and definitely not for the last.
1987
Olmes Carretti creates the iconic Round The World Race (RWR) Jacket.
1989
Tracy Edwards captains the first female crew round the world aboard the Whitbread wearing Henri-Lloyd.
1990's
Henri-Lloyd clothing, with its distinctive designs and innovative sportswear aesthetic, seamlessly integrated into the ‘Madchester scene’s fashion landscape. Cultural icons were frequently seen clothed in Henri-Lloyd attire.
1996
A young sailor was making waves in the Laser class, and was quickly recognised by Henri-Lloyd. Following on from his Silver Olympic medal in Atlanta in 1996, Ben Ainslie joins Henri-Lloyd in what has become over a 25 year unbroken relationship with the brand. Ben Ainslie has since become the most successful Olympic sailor ever.
1997
Henri-Lloyd launched Black Label, the Italian-inspired sportswear collection by Massimo Goggi, using technically innovative fabrics. This led to Henri-Lloyd being awarded 1997 Fashion Brand of the Year in the UK.
2001
Henri-Lloyd’s TP3 Reflex Jacket and Hi-Fit Trousers win DAME awards at the METSTRADE show in Amsterdam because “their design incorporates all of the features and important attention to detail that such garments should have” and because of the company’s relentless pursuit of perfection.
2008
The award-winning Optivision hood and Blue Eco winning a highly-regarded DAME Award at the METSTRADE show in Amsterdam for the most eco-friendly product.
2009
Henri-Lloyd’s reach extended beyond the open waters to the realm of Formula One. The partnership with Brawn F1 Team witnessed Jenson Button win the World Drivers Championship in his debut season for the team.
2014
Partnerships continued to thrive, with the Henri-Lloyd yacht winning the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2014.
2024
Henri-Lloyd is official sponsor and apparel provider to Team, INEOS Britannia (captained by Sir Ben Ainslie) who finishes runner up in the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona in 2024, having clinched the Luis Vuitton Cup.
An Icon is Born
Back in 1965, the inaugural Consort Jacket was launched. Initially conceived to cater to Explorers and Pioneers, the Consort embarked on global journeys, spanning across oceans, scaling the loftiest peaks, and gracing the avenues of bustling metropolises.
As it enters its 7th decade, the Consort Jacket continues to be the preferred partner for adventurers and city dwellers alike, standing the test of time.
Our Ambassadors
Henri-Lloyd proudly outfits its sailing and adventure ambassadors with worldclass sailing and lifestyle gear, ensuring they stay dry, comfortable, performance ready, and look great, in any conditions
Partnerships
Our legacy extends to collaborations with elite teams and partnerships with globally recognised ambassadors. We’ve proudly supported the America’s Cup teams and their campaigns, including the American and British teams, as well as those in the Volvo Ocean Race, Vendee Globe and more, where our technical innovations have been put to the ultimate test in some of the harshest environments on earth.
INEOS Britannia
Official sponsors and apparel provider to the INEOS British Sailing Team, the Challenger of Record for the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona 2024 and the British Challenger for the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland in 2021.
Emirates SailGP
Proud partners of Team Emirates GBR, led by the most successful Olympic sailor of all-time, Sir Ben Ainslie, as CEO. This elite international sailing competition features high-performance F50 foiling catamarans.
Nautor Swan
Henri-Lloyd is official sportswear partner to the Nautor Swan family - the ultimate-ocean going, performance, luxury sailing yachts of unrivalled build quality.
