Item 2019.206.2 - London 2012 Paralympics Technical Officer Jacket

Identity area

Reference code

2019.206.2

Title

London 2012 Paralympics Technical Officer Jacket

Date(s)

  • 2012 (Creation)

Level of description

Item

Extent and medium

2 (jacket and tag)

Context area

Name of creator

Next
(1982-)

Administrative history

British retailer Next was founded by the Leeds-based menswear company Hepworths (1864–1986). Responding to changes in UK clothing retailing in the early 1980s, the Hepworths Group purchased Kendall & Sons, a family-owned womenswear business, in 1981. The following year they recruited retail entrepreneur George Davies (b. 1941), alongside designers Conran Associates (design director John Stephenson came up with the name ‘Next’) to lead the project to transform Kendall & Sons into a new women’s fashion chain. The label was aimed at fashion-conscious women aged between twenty- four and forty-four; by May 1982, eighty stores had been completely redesigned, fitted out and stocked as Next. The label was hugely successful and in 1983 Davies was given the responsibility of the 350 Hepworths menswear stores, quickly deciding to replace them with a menswear version of Next. Next for Men launched in August 1984, the last Hepworths store closed in 1985, and the parent company of J. Hepworth & Son changed its name to Next plc in 1986. Next launched their mail-order business Next Directory in 1988 and in 2015 opened their 546th store.
Sources: Hepworth Mercury; George Davies, What Next? (London: Century, 1989); nextplc.co.uk.

Repository

Westminster Menswear Archive

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Content and structure area

Scope and content

Grey, two-button, single-breasted tailored jacket. It was part of the uniform for technical officials at the 2012 Paralympic Games. The jacket’s lapels and collar are trimmed with black binding, accented by a light blue edge, excluding the notch. The same piping detail forms the jetted edging on the two hip pocket flaps. A welted breast pocket on the left chest displays the London 2012 Paralympics logo in light blue, featuring the "agitos" symbol in place of the Olympic Rings.

The lining is dark blue with a light blue print depicting iconic London landmarks such as Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the London Eye. These buildings are also embroidered into the felt under the collar. Comes with the original tag (in the Object File).
Size: 42 S

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      Physical characteristics and technical requirements

      Label on the inside lining: This uniform has been created for you as a Technical Officer for the London 2012 Games. We hope you enjoy the London 2012 experience and wear your uniform with pride.
      Care Label: next / Made in China / 49% cotton / 27% polyester / 22% virgin wool / 2% elastane / Lining: 59% acetate / 41% viscose / 835-163
      Garment tag: Stock ID: JX/066
      Measurements:
      Armpit to armpit 55cm
      Shoulder seam to cuff end 62cm
      Shoulder seam to shoulder seam 49cm
      Back of neck (under collar) to base of rear 74cm

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      Note

      The formal uniforms for the London 2012 technical officials were designed by Next and Locog (London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games).

      Note

      From Inside the Westminster Menswear Archive:

      PARALYMPICS JACKET
      Next
      2012
      This two-button, single-breasted tailored jacket was worn by technical officials at the 2012 Paralympics in London, and it features references to numerous London landmarks. The lining print depicts Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Battersea Power Station, Nelson’s Column, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Gherkin and the London Eye. The buttons have engravings of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the undercollar is embroidered with the London skyline. The welted breast pocket is embroidered in light blue with the London 2012 Paralympics logo (the London 2012 Games logo with the Paralympics ‘agitos’ replacing the Olympic Rings). The uniforms were designed by the London 2012 Organising Committee and the British high-street retailer Next, but they were produced in China.
      Cotton, Polyester, Wool, Elastane, Acetate, Viscose
      Archive no. 2019.206.2

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