About

Mackintosh's history dates back to 1823, the year Charles Macintosh created the world’s first waterproof fabric, known as "Mackintosh cloth." Since then Mackintosh has been one of the world’s most influential coat makers. The DNA of the brand surrounds its craftsmanship, unequalled expertise in the manipulation of rubberised fabric and the constant evolution of its designs. The brand has become synonymous with its outerwear products, but also with the introduction of new collections, including the Mackintosh Mainline and collaborations with some of the world’s leading fashion houses.

Mackintosh’s history

  • Charles Macintosh (1766-1843)

    The Mackintosh story began at the dawn of the industrial revolution in the early 19th Century when Scottish chemist Charles Macintosh invented a new method of waterproofing cotton.

  • The Mackintosh Coat

    Charles Macintosh’s discovery soon led to development of rubberised outerwear and the Mackintosh coat was born.

  • Due to the waterproof benefits the Mackintosh coat or “Mac” soon became an international success. The first type of fabric to ever exist with this completely waterproofing technology which came to revolutionise both fabric technology and design.

  • British Army Trench Coat

    Rubberised trench coat made for the British Army in 1945. During World War I and World War II, a messenger would carry maps or document of strategy in the chest pocket and deliver them by motorbike.

  • British Railway Coat

    Rubberised coat supplied for British Railways from the 1920s until the 1980s. Mainly worn by those who would carry out security checks.

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    Making a Mackintosh

  • The core material in a classic Mackintosh coat is the bonded cotton fabric - two layers of cotton bonded together with rubber that is dyed to perfectly match the outer cotton layers so there is no show-through.

  • Once the bonded cotton arrives at the Mackintosh factory the patterns are laid out and marked up.

  • Once the pieces of a coat have been cut into the correct patterns, they are sewn, united and sealed using a special type of glue that is applied by finger.

  • This is an intricate technique that is learnt and mastered over many years. As well as ensuring that the seams of each coat are waterproof, this technique also makes it easier to join both curved edges and corners.

  • Once the pieces are glued together a water-resistant tape is attached by hand and then pressed over any exposed seams to make sure there is no water intrusion. This elaborate production process results in a very limited number of garments being produced each year making sure the quality is of the highest standard.

  • It is due to these traditional techniques still being used to this day and an unsurpassed dedication to craftsmanship which has resulted in the Mackintosh products seen today.

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    Mackintosh today

    Mackintosh’s signature rubberised coats continue to be made by skilled craftsmen in the same tradition pioneered in the early 19th century. Today Mackintosh is a firmly established luxury name that combines updated technology with traditional techniques, heritage and craftsmanship.