The Fold London is a British womenswear fashion label providing luxury business attire, and describes itself as offering "the feminine alternative to the Savile Row suit".[1] The brand is London-based, with a large retail store in Belgravia, London.[2]
History
The company was founded in 2012 by British entrepreneur Polly McMaster, a former finance executive.[1][2] McMaster is an alumnus of London Business School, and was included in the Management Today list of "35 under 35".[3] The Fold is backed by Active Partners,[1] with Nick Evans (founder of Evans Cycle) leading the board of investors.[4]
The company began by offering a "semi-bespoke" service from a studio and workshop in London's Clerkenwell, and this facility had closed by the time the first store had opened in 2018.[2][5]
Their first store opened in March 2018, a 1,400 sq ft space in a grade II listed building in Cadogan Place, in London's Belgravia.[2][5] The store's interior design was created by the all women London-based firm KKD.[5][6]
In August 2018, Tatler included The Fold in its "Chic, smart and British: The 5 workwear brands to stock up on this autumn", and wrote, "corporate dressing doesn't have to be frumpy".[7] The brand has been included in workwear recommendations articles from publications including Marie Claire[8] and Who What Wear.[9]
Awards and recognition
In 2016, The Fold was one of 12 companies selected the by UK luxury brand association Walpole (founded by John Ayton) for its Brands of Tomorrow programme.[10][11][12]
For several years, the company has supported Smartworks.org, a charity dedicated to donating free, smart workwear for women going back to work after a period of unemployment, with donations and fundraising activities.[13][14]
