Summary:
- Grace Wales Bonner and John Smedley released three Merino wool polo shirts for Spring/Summer 2026
- Wales Bonner visited the Derbyshire mill to study the brand's production methods and archive details
- The polos feature co-branded logos and are made in England
Grace Wales Bonner released a new collaboration with John Smedley for Spring/Summer 2026. The British designer worked with the heritage knitwear manufacturer on three Merino wool polo shirts. Each piece carries a co-branded chest logo and gets made at the John Smedley facilities in England.
Wales Bonner traveled to the John Smedley mill in Derbyshire to learn about the production process. The visit happened after the Met Gala last year. She studied the factory floor and examined archive pieces from the brand's 240-year history. The trip gave her direct access to signature elements like check textures and lace-collar finishes that John Smedley has used across decades.
The designer took these traditional details and filtered them through her own approach. Wales Bonner tends to work with preppy silhouettes and clean lines. The collaboration stays true to this method while respecting the technical standards John Smedley maintains in its knitwear production.
The capsule includes three color options. All pieces use Merino wool as the base material. John Smedley has built its reputation on this specific fabric and the way the company processes it. The brand sources wool from specific suppliers and controls each step of production in its own facilities.
Wales Bonner continues to expand her design work beyond her main label. She starts her role as menswear creative director at Hermès in 2027. The John Smedley project fits into her Spring/Summer 2026 season and shows how she balances multiple design commitments while maintaining focus on craft and material quality.
The partnership connects two British fashion entities with different histories. John Smedley has operated since the late 18th century and focuses exclusively on knitwear. Wales Bonner launched her label in 2014 and built a following through collections that blend cultural references with precise tailoring.
The three polo shirts represent a practical addition to the Wales Bonner seasonal offering. The pieces work as standalone items or as part of layered outfits. Merino wool regulates temperature and holds its shape over time when cared for correctly.
Both brands made the collection available through their own retail channels. You find the pieces on the Wales Bonner website and at John Smedley stockists. The collaboration reflects a growing interest in partnerships between contemporary designers and heritage manufacturers. These projects allow newer labels to access specialized production techniques while giving established companies fresh design perspectives.
Wales Bonner has done similar work with other British brands in past seasons. She understands how to adapt her aesthetic to different production contexts without losing the core elements that define her collections. The John Smedley collaboration demonstrates this skill through a focused product range that highlights what both parties do well.
The polo shirts arrive as part of the broader Spring/Summer 2026 collection. Wales Bonner structured the season around elevated basics that prioritize longevity over trend cycles. The John Smedley pieces fit this framework through their classic silhouette and quality construction.
John Smedley maintains its production in England and has resisted moving manufacturing overseas. The brand treats this as a core part of its identity. For Wales Bonner, working with a manufacturer that keeps production local aligns with her interest in transparency around how clothes get made.
The collaboration shows how heritage brands and contemporary designers approach shared values through different lenses. John Smedley focuses on perfecting a limited range of products through controlled processes. Wales Bonner explores how traditional craftsmanship translates across cultural contexts and time periods. The three Merino wool polos represent where these perspectives overlap.