Our products are used in ways you might not expect. From everyday projects to extraordinary creations. Most recently, they took centre stage at London Fashion Week through an exciting partnership with an historic armourer.
From medieval battlefields to the prestigious London Fashion Week runway, F.H. Brundle's premium materials made a stunning appearance this February through an innovative collaboration between long-term customer Lancaster Armoury and fashion label Annie's Ibiza, combining historical craftsmanship with contemporary fashion.
A partnership forged in steel
For nearly five decades, Lancaster Armoury has been at the forefront of crafting authentic medieval reproduction armour, with current owner Matthew Finchen continuing this legacy since 2017. The Mansfield-based business's work, ranging from historical reenactment pieces and pieces for English Heritage sites to more diverse markets such as HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts), jousting, film and theatre, relies heavily on F.H.Brundle's extensive range of steel plates, stainless steel sheets, and aluminium sheets, along with specialised wrought iron components, such as railheads, for toolmaking and sword pommels, and smooth spheres for helmet-making.
From workshop to runway: An exciting new chapter
The London Fashion Week presentation marks a departure from both companies' traditions. Fashion label Annie’s Ibiza contacted Lancaster Armoury as they wanted to feature armour on the London Fashion Week runway. This unique project showcases how industrial materials can be transformed into wearable art, bridging the gap between historical craftsmanship and contemporary fashion.
Michael Brundle, Managing Director of F.H.Brundle, said: “Supporting Lancaster Armoury has been a fascinating departure from our typical commercial and industrial supply work and it's incredibly rewarding to see our industrial materials transformed into fashion pieces and featured on the London Fashion Week runway – a testament to the versatility of our materials and Matt's extraordinary skill.”
Innovation meets tradition
Working alongside final-year Costume Design and Making student Isabel Waugh to help her design something that was historically inspired but might not fully follow those traditional norms of costume, Lancaster Armoury supplied Annie’s Ibiza with three very different time periods and armour shapes to demonstrate what could be done out of historical garments. The final design piece blends 15th-century breastplate designs with 16th-century corsetry elements. As Isabel noted, "Matt has been really good at giving me different inspirations from the armouring world that I could then take and merge with things that I know from the historical textile world, making something fresh and modern that people haven't seen on the runway.”
Craftsmanship built on trust
Matthew Finchen said of F.H.Brundle's role in Lancaster Armoury's success: “F.H.Brundle has consistently been the most reliable supplier, offering unique products that are essential for our craft. Their broad range of products, competitive pricing, and fantastic local delivery teams make them the perfect supplier. As demand rises, and we look to move into more diverse markets, we will need a supplier that can provide us with what we need and our relationship with F.H.Brundle has been crucial in meeting these varied demands. Working with a family-owned business that understands our needs and can deliver quality materials quickly has been invaluable for our growth.”
Excellence in supply and service
With 136 years of experience, F.H.Brundle's commitment to quality and service is evident in our impressive infrastructure. Operating from eight strategic locations with a fleet of over 70 branded vehicles, we offer nationwide delivery and free shipping on orders over £150. Our comprehensive product range includes nearly 13,000 items, from steel sections, mesh and fencing to handrailing, glass balustrading, gate hardware, and landscaping products, all maintained with 98% stock availability. This extensive network and inventory ensure that customers such as Lancaster Armoury, and innovative projects like its fashion week pieces, can move seamlessly from concept to creation.
Contact us now
For more information on our product range and how we can help you with whatever products you need, contact us or request our new F.H.Brundle catalogue now.
