Harris Sumrie (1866–1951) was a Polish, Jewish immigrant who founded the pioneering men's fashion textile company, C. and M. Sumrie Ltd, in Leeds in 1891. Harris was a skilled tailor who foresaw the potential of providing high-class male tailoring to a mass market eager for clothing that had aesthetic appeal.[1] He founded a company specializing in the production of high-class ready-to-wear clothing and bespoke tailoring.[1] To do this, he developed a process for creating garments in 100 different sizes.[2] He is credited with providing the first ready-to-wear garment to the London market, and establishing Leeds as the leading center of ready-to-wear fashion.[1] Throughout its history, Sumries was known for producing good quality clothes for the gentleman of taste.[3][4]
Harris Sumrie | |
|---|---|
 Unknown artist, Harris Sumrie, c. 1930, Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills | |
| Born | 1866 Głowno, Congress Poland |
| Died | 1951 Leeds |
| Resting place | United Hebrew Congregation Cemetery, Gildersome |
| Occupation | Textile manufacturer |
| Organization(s) | C. and M. Sumrie Ltd |
Early life
editHarris was born in Głowno, Congress Poland, Russian Empire in May 1866, to Myer and Rebecca Sumrie.[5] He began in the textile trade as a boy and arrived as a journeyman in Leeds in 1886.[6] He and his wife, Malka Tulinsky (b.1860 Poland-1926), known as Mary, were listed in Leeds as Russian nationals, despite being proud of their Polish identity.[7] Their first child, Maurice, was born in Russia in 1885.[5] Their other children were all born in Leeds, Carl Saul (b. 1891), Esther (b. 1894), and Charles (b. 1896).[5]
Textile Company
editIn 1911, Harris was operating out of a bay-windowed house in Exmouth Grove, Leeds, as a coat maker and tailor.[5][8] By 1919, he employed around 35 people.[1] During World War I, the business grew rapidly under Harris and his sons, and in 1921, it moved to new premises, a two-story building, on Woerth Place, Camp Road.[3] The firm employed 250 people.[6] In 1922, they trademarked their 'welcut' clothing line.[3] In 1924, another factory was opened at Stamford Works, Cross Stamford Street, where a further 300 people were employed.[3][1] In 1932, the business became a private company.[3]
In May 1934, a new factory, called Sumrie House on York Road, was opened by the Lord mayor of Leeds, Mr A. E. Wilkinson.[3][8] The architect was Mr C. Castelow.[8] The architecture was noted for its dignified appearance, with a south-front using sand-faced bricks and horizontal lines, coloured steel window frames, an entrance hall lined with marble, and spacious, well-lit and brightly colored interiors.[1] This architecture was seen as a reflection of the changing face of Leeds industries, from smoke-laden and cramped factories, to a modern, clean appearance.[1] The planning of the machinery was supervised by the consulting engineer, Mr. J. Edwin Storr, including a special layout of steam boilers and steam pipes for process work and heating, electric lifts, and individual motor drives on benches to keep walkways clear.[1] The sewing machines were supplied by The Bellow Machine Co. and the pressing machines were Hoffman Presses, made by Isaac Braithwaite & Son of Kendal and Leeds.[1] There was also a canteen with steam, gas and electric units; the latest system of telephone communications between departments; and an innovative stock room to store garments.[1] Messrs Mason and Co. were responsible for installing the showroom, clad with Australian walnut and tungum, with north-facing windows for good light, and display cases featuring garments for the season ahead.[1]
At the opening ceremony in May 1934, the chairman presented a check for £250 to the Leeds General Infirmary Appeal and £100 to the German Fund.[8] The business now employed 1,300 people, a rapid increase noted at the 1934 opening ceremony.[8][6]
At Sumrie House, there were a team of designers working on perfecting garment fit and also the garments' appearance. Seventy models were employed to provide garments in seventy different sizes.[1] The firm exported its goods around the world, particularly to Australia, South Africa and Europe.[3] Stamford Works was retained for the production of boys' clothing, later moving to Lovell Road.[3]
In the 1930s, the firm employed the advertising slogan 'Sumrie clothes are good', which continued to be used in the 1950s.[3][9] They also developed 'Sumgrip', hip-fastening flannels, in competition with Simpson Daks.[3]
Legacy
editHarris died on 30 September 1951 and is buried in the United Hebrew Congregation cemetery in Gildersome.[5] In his will, he left £4,796 5s 5d to his sons Carl Saul and Charles Sumrie.[5] Harris's sons continued to grow the family business. In 1957, Sumrie suits were advertised as being sold at Robinson & Cleaver and at Selfridges.[9] In 1958, they acquired the Ledux brand of women's suits and coats.[3] In 1967, the company sponsored a golf event at Hollinwell course, Nottingham, with a prizes totaling £6,000.[10] In the 1980s, the company moved from Sumrie House, which was later demolished, and taken over by Executex.[3]
Harris was featured in the exhibition, Leeds to Innovation (26 October 2019 – 26 September 2020), at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills.[11][12]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "C. and M. Sumrie Ltd Makers of High-Grade Clothes Sumrie House Leeds". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 9 May 1934. p. 5.
- ^ "People and Events". Great Britain and the East: 29. 1955.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Honeyman, Katrina (2000). Well Suited: A History of the Leeds Clothing Industry, 1850–1990. Google Books: Oxford University Press. pp. 299–300.
- ^ Honeyman (2000). Well Suited. p. 99.
- ^ a b c d e f "SUMRIE, Harris". British Jewry. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ a b c "Mr. Harris Sumrie". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 1 October 1951. p. 6.
- ^ Kent, Aaron M. (2015). Identity, Migration and Belonging: The Jewish Community of Leeds, 1890–1920. Google Books. p. 60.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b c d e "Remarkable Growth". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 10 May 1934. p. 3.
- ^ a b "Sumrie of Course". Illustrated London News. 23 November 1957. p. 47.
- ^ "Golf Magazine". Birmingham Daily Post. 3 November 1967. p. 35.
- ^ Shaw, Iola (27 October 2019). "Leeds To Innovation exhibition inspires at Armley Mills". West Leeds Dispatch. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ^ "Leeds to Innovation Online Exhibition". Leeds Museums & Galleries. Retrieved 16 May 2020.