Daniel Hanson Reveals Debut Collection For Paul Smith

Behind The Tapestry X Paul Smith at Daniel Hanson is a new chapter in British luxury borne out of a serendipitous encounter between young designer Nicholas Hanson and Sir Paul Smith in 2023, shortly after the acclaimed designer brand Daniel Hanson arrived on Savile Row. Both Hanson and Smith hail from Nottingham and despite being a generation apart, they have in common a love of bespoke tailoring and passion for British craftsmanship and high-quality materials.

The Sons of the eponymous bespoke dressing gown brand’s founder–Julian and Nicholas –took on the mantle of their father when he sadly passed away in 2019. They continue their work under the watchful guidance of their mother Julie Hanson. Julie is Managing Director of Daniel Hanson and still very active in the business, managing all customer communications and order confirmations.The Hansons were offered a coveted spot on London’s iconic Savile Row in 2023.

Daniel Hanson launched his business in 1987. His coveted luxury designs have been stocked in Harrods since 1988, with previous stockists including Neiman Marcus, Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman in the USA. They are the world’s most sought after gown-maker with numerous other well-known branded dressing gowns made by their hands in Nottingham each week. A team of just six highly skilled makers in Nottingham oversee this fastidious process–Chris, Jayne, Jenny, Gita, Rebecca and Steve.

Now on Savile Row the sons of Daniel Hanson have taken on the mantle of the Nottingham-founded heritage brand, creating designs that pay homage to their father’s tailoring skills and traditional dressing gown styles, whilst making the brand appeal to a new generation through repurposing textiles and tapestries into high end dressing gowns, shirts and scarves.

Daniel Hanson has an unparalleled reputation for creating one-off designs inspired by artists, writers and designers as varied as Basquiat to Oscar Wilde.

Musicians and movie stars have worn Daniel Hanson designs, attracted by the unique hand-crafted designs and luxurious materials. Sir Elton John was an early adopter of the brand and has worn Daniel Hanson robes for years, even wearing one in a John Lewis Christmas advert, and the gowns have been commissioned by costume designers for Hollywood films–Penny Rose commissioned the dressing gowns for films including Entrapment, Pirates of the Caribbean and Ronin 47, after first seeing them in Newman Marcus in Beverley Hills 15 year ago–and stylists for fashion shoots. Since arriving on Savile Row, the sons have worked with several high-profile costume designers on pieces for forthcoming productions.

So it’s no surprise that the latest collaboration revealed by the ambitious and talented siblings– Daniel Hanson ‘Behind The Tapestry’– is a capsule collection designed exclusively for Paul Smith. The collection demonstrates the love of fine craftsmanship shared by the Hanson brothers and Sir Paul Smith. Nicholas Hanson explains: “Behind The Tapestry reflects a shared vision: finding beauty in the discarded, and recontextualizing the offcuts. The last time I met Paul, I was just a child. But meeting again as an adult, we talked about the artistry that continues to inspire us both.”

Hanson studied at the Royal Academy of Antwerp where a passion for tapestry and repurposing textiles was ignited, which led to the conversation with Sir Paul Smith that started the capsule collection. Smith and Hanson both found joy and beauty in the ‘wrong side’ of a tapestry, with its wild mix of colours and yarns, and this led to a collection that reimagines tapestries as wearable pieces of art.

Sir Paul Smith commissioned Daniel Hanson to create the collection of double-sided silk prints made in England and designed in Nottingham–Hanson and Smith’s home town–which blend heritage and modernity and includes co-labelled bespoke dressing gowns, lounge sets, scarves and sleep masks. The collection is available now at Paul Smith and Daniel Hanson boutiques & online.

Daniel Hanson’s Sons: The Next Generation of Savile Row Tailoring

The legacy of Daniel Hanson–one of preserving tradition and craftsmanship whilst embracing innovation–lives on through his sons, who have taken the helm of the family business. The transition of leadership from Daniel to his sons marks an exciting new chapter for the business, as they blend their own vision with the rich heritage of Savile Row tailoring.

I met Nicholas and Julian Hanson in their Savile Row store as they prepared to launch the collection with Sir Paul Smith, and they gave me some insight into their story and the inspiration behind their work. There is a palpable energy and love between the brothers, and they interrupt each other in their enthusiasm when talking about the brand and their late father.

Creative to the core–Julian is an accomplished musician who has performed on Jools Holland, and Nicholas was a professional Skateboarder–their skills as tailors were developed as young boys hanging out with the cutters and seamstresses in their Father’s Nottingham factory in the 90’s–this was their after-school club as children.

Julian Hanson gave me a bit of insight into how the brand started: “Daniel Hanson was established by Julie and Daniel Hanson in the late 80s. The first collection with Dad’s name on it was in 1989 but it started happening before then. Essentially, he just loved collecting dressing gowns.

Dad was commissioned to make a collection of nightwear for Derek Rose. This design project ignited Dad’s instinct for gowns and home-wear. He had an idea for a nightwear design and manufacture business under his own name, and by chance he met the nightwear buyer for Harrods on a train. He told her of his idea for a fully silk-lined cashmere dressing gown made in England, and she said if he made her a sample she would place an order for Christmas. So, order in-hand, they went to the bank and asked for finance: They were laughed out of the building. So they went it alone, using what they had from consultancy and that which Mum had saved from working as a social worker.”

Daniel Hanson is founded on hard work, love and ingenuity and the brand is still entirely independent, family run and owned.

The Savile Row Tradition

Savile Row, located in the heart of London, is world-renowned for being the birthplace of bespoke tailoring. This prestigious street has a rich history dating back to the late 18th century, with skilled tailors and ateliers crafting garments that have been worn by royalty, celebrities, and the elite of society. The bespoke tailoring tradition of Savile Row is not just about creating clothing; it is about offering a personal, custom experience that reflects the individual’s unique personality and style.

The Daniel Hanson Approach

The Daniel Hanson’s philosophy revolves around creating garments that not only fit perfectly but also make a statement of quiet luxury. The focus of the brand is on classic yet contemporary styles, embracing the elegant British aesthetic while pushing the boundaries of what modern tailoring can achieve.

Every garment produced under the Daniel Hanson name is made in-house in Nottingham with a meticulous attention to detail, using the finest fabrics and materials, sourced from the best mills in the world.

What sets Daniel Hanson apart is its dedication to the craft of bespoke tailoring. The team of skilled artisans use time-honored techniques to ensure each garment is a work of art. Daniel Hanson’s creations are designed to stand the test of time, both in terms of their physical durability and their ability to transcend fleeting fashion trends.

An antidote to Fast Fashion

In a world where fast fashion often dominates, Daniel Hanson remains steadfast in its commitment to the art of bespoke tailoring, luxury materials and a commitment to creating unique pieces that last forever. The brand is a testament to the enduring appeal of craftsmanship and quality. As part of the Savile Row legacy, Hanson has managed to carve out a niche that respects tradition while appealing to a new generation who love unique fashion that represents creativity, craftsmanship and innovation.

Nicholas Hanson told me: “I don’t think I’m nostalgic. I’m optimistic for the future, but I look to the past. I love the original Coco Chanel, Salon style. Think William Morris meets Jimi Hendrix and you get the eclectic vibe of Daniel Hanson.

Explore the Daniel Hanson collaboration with Sir Paul Smith here.