Belstaff celebrates its centenary with "Our First 100 Years" - an archive exhibition and series of brand events in our home town of Stoke-on-Trent. Belstaff is pleased to announce the latest in a series of special projects and events to celebrate its centenary. Returning to Stoke-on-Trent, the birthplace of Belstaff in 1924, the brand will take over the Gladstone Pottery Museum for one weekend (Saturday 25th - Sunday 26th May 2024) to present an immersive brand experience and exhibition of its design archive for the very first time.
The exhibition will explore the history of Belstaff from industrial innovators in the Midlands to becoming the leaders in motorcycle and outdoor, all-weather clothing. Belstaff’s deep and unique connection to motorcycling will be highlighted with a space dedicated to the iconic Trialmaster, including the display of Hollywood legend and motorcycling enthusiast Steve McQueen’s original jacket. The brand’s long history as purveyors of outdoor apparel will also be brought to life through displays of archive outerwear, including some of the original pieces designed for and worn by Sir Chris Bonington in collaboration with Belstaff for his legendary climb of ‘The Ogre’ in 1977.
Earlier this year, Belstaff launched a new coffee table book ‘Belstaff: Our First 100 Years’, exploring the brand’s history and extensive research archive. The brand worked closely with leading vintage collectors from around the globe to source some of the earliest archive pieces for the book, some of which will be displayed for the first time at the exhibition. People have always been at the heart of Belstaff, and a series of social activities will take place over the weekend to give back to the local community.
Some of the people who worked for Belstaff - amongst them pattern cutters, machinists and factory supervisors - were featured in the book through new photo essays and researched images. Belstaff will be holding a reunion for ex-factory workers at Gladstone on Saturday 25th May as a way of celebrating the people who helped to build the business, many of whom still live locally and remain an integral part of Belstaff’s history. The Archive Yard Sale will also take place on Sunday 26th May, bringing together some of the UK’s top vintage collectors for a special, one-off market.
All proceeds from ticket sales over the weekend will go to Friends of the Potteries Museum, a registered charity with a mission to promote, support and improve The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and The Gladstone Pottery Museum. The exhibition will also look at Belstaff’s future, and will play host to the final stage of its inaugural Cloudmaster project - a talent incubator and prize fund for the next generation of design talent, in partnership with the Manchester Fashion Institute. The finalists’ designs will be prototyped and displayed at Gladstone Pottery and the winner will be announced after a panel discussion with the project’s judging panel - hosted by author and menswear journalist, Charlie Porter.
The ‘OUR FIRST 100 YEARS’ exhibition is the latest in a series of special projects, capsule collections and collaborations to celebrate the brand’s centenary, which kicked off in March with the launch of the book and will continue throughout 2024.
You can download the full Press Release here.
Our New Vision
We’re embarking on an exciting new journey with a renewed vision for Made in Stoke.
Vision Statement
At Made in Stoke, we envision a vibrant, thriving Stoke-on-Trent where every individual feels a profound connection to the city and is inspired to contribute their time, expertise, and resources. By fostering a robust and engaged network of people dedicated to the well-being and development of our community, we aim to create a future where Stoke-on-Trent stands as a beacon of collaboration, generosity, and sustainable growth.
Outcome
A robust and interconnected Stoke-on-Trent where empowered communities, enriched by social capital, expert guidance, and financial support, collaborate effectively to achieve sustainable development and collective prosperity.
Building Blocks to Succeed
- Creating Economic Development
- We aim to develop programmes that open up new career, educational, and personal growth opportunities for residents. By encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, we will drive local economic development. Collaborating with businesses and academic institutions, we will create pathways for success and maximise the skills and expertise of our network to offer more work-based learning opportunities.
- Cultivating Ambassadors and Champions
- We will identify and support individuals who can positively advocate for and represent Stoke-on-Trent. Offering platforms and opportunities for ambassadors to share their stories will inspire others. Recognising and celebrating the achievements of community champions will build a culture of aspiration and pride within our community.
- Raising Aspiration and Ambition
- Providing opportunities to improve learning through a wide range of extraordinary life chances and experiences is critical. Promoting success stories and role models will elevate community morale. Creating a supportive environment will encourage lifelong learning and continuous improvement, fostering a culture of ambition.
- Building Capacity in Communities
- It is crucial to empower local organisations, businesses, and groups to take on leadership roles and drive community initiatives. Building community capacity through increased social capital and providing expertise or financial investment will foster collaboration and mutual support among community members.
- Supporting Heritage and Culture
- We will work closely with partners to pool resources and build on Stoke-on-Trent's rich cultural heritage. Acting as a landing space for people to bring ideas that support the city, we will foster a culture of collaboration between key partners and volunteers, ensuring our heritage and culture thrive.
Engaged Core Partners
We are proud to have strong support from core partners like Port Vale FC, Stoke City FC, Staffordshire University, local philanthropists, YMCA North Staffordshire, Staffordshire Community Foundation, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. These partnerships are integral to our mission and help us drive forward our initiatives with a united effort.
Thank you, James Routledge
Thank you to James Routledge for outstanding leadership over the past 12 months. James is now focusing on his role at Staffordshire University and his work at the Knot, but he will remain an ambassador for Made in Stoke, continuing to support our mission.
MIS T-shirt Campaign
We’re eager to see where our Made in Stoke T-shirts will travel. Message us directly or reach out on our social media to get yours. Our shop will be up and running next month, with international shipping available.
We’d love to see photos of you in your tee using the hashtag #iammadeinstoke
Upcoming Projects
We’re excited to share that we are working on two significant projects that will impact the city over the next six months.
Stay tuned for more updates soon—we can’t wait to tell you more!
#iammadeinstoke
Please help us spread the word and share the message of Made in Stoke, whether in the city or around the world. Use the hashtag on your socials to show your support and connect with our global community.
Sharing your stories and photos can help us reach more people and showcase our pride in our wonderful city. Let's get the message out there and celebrate Stoke together!
if you want to volunteer, offer your expertise or financially invest in the city - we can link you to the right opportunities and organisations to help make this happen. Please get in touch with us at hello@madeinstoke.com
