The beginning
Who Founded Jordan Bespoke?
The history of the automobile is a tale of people, drivers, and adventures as much as it is about the vehicles themselves, and Jordan Bespoke – thanks to the background of its founder, Simon Jordan – is ideally suited to combining these ingredients together.
With passion for cars and motorsport that runs deep, it was inevitable that Simon would find his way into the automotive industry. Indeed, from the moment he left school to become a toolmaker, Simon’s innate attention to detail, quality, and craftsmanship was evident – and would eventually lead him into forming a highly regarded company restoring MGB, TVR, and Lotus sports cars.
Concours victories would follow before the allure of working directly with Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, and Maserati became too great to resist.
WE HAVE DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED FOR:
The Inspiration
Behind the Founding of Jordan Bespoke
It was on a trip to Mugello in Tuscany, Italy in 2005 when Simon was struck by the concept of Jordan Bespoke. The story is best told in Simon’s own words:
“I was working with Bob Houghton, the global Ferrari specialist, and we took some clients to the Mugello circuit for the world final of the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy. It was a fantastic weekend. Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello were demonstrating their F1 cars and Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo, Vice-President Piero Ferrari, and Managing Director Jean Todt were all there.”
“On track there were demonstrations of an ex-Alberto Ascari 500 F2 car from 1953, an ex-Niki Lauda 312 T, a 312 T4 driven by Gilles Villeneuve in 1979 and an ex-Alain Prost F1-91. It was Ferrari-heaven!”
“On the day I noticed that one of our clients had a poor-quality nylon kit bag and another had a really smart leather bag. The nylon bags were common – but seeing it alongside the leather bag made me wonder why. I mean, everything in motor racing is about high quality – so why should the kit and accessories be so poor?”
“I asked the owner of the leather bag where he got it from and he replied that he bought it in a store in Florence. So, I said, on Monday before we go back to the airport I’m going to drive into Florence and I’m going to buy an identical bag.”
“The inspiration to combine my love of motorsport with the best in leather and technical goods started there and then.”
made in Italy
Jordan Bespoke’s Florence Connection
Florence is famous for leather-making – its fertile land is filled with cattle, the Arno River provides water for the tanning process, and its history goes back a millennium for artisan craftsmanship. It’s truly irresistible if you love handmade goods.
During Simon’s visit to Florence, shortly after the Ferrari event, he struck up a conversation with a shop owner who told him about her uncle’s leather workshop.
The description sounded incredible – a workshop built on artisan skills passed on over generations – so he said there and then that he was going to come back, visit the workshop, and buy some more bags.
Jordan Bespoke
The Pursuit of Perfection
The leather bags that Simon purchased in Florence were inspiring, but they were not perfect – not to Simon’s standards.
“When I got the bags home, I realised that while the overall appearance was great, there was much about it that felt cheap, for instance the zip, the D-rings and the lining. When I scrutinised it and took it apart, I could see where improvements could be made.”
From that moment, Simon looked at combining the rigor and exactness of British design with the flair of Italian materials and manufacture in order to create a new company – and thus Jordan Bespoke was born.
Our history
Timeline
All in the detail
Unique to You
In 2008 Jordan Bespoke created a red holdall to celebrate Ferrari’s first-ever race win. On Sunday 25th May 1947, at the Roma Grand Prix held on the streets around the Baths of Caracalla, Franco Cortese won the race for Enzo Ferrari’s burgeoning race team, wearing the number 56 on the side of his Ferrari 125 S. It was the start of an incredible racing legacy.
The red holdall, also wearing the commemorative number 56, generated instant recognition, and today race-numbered items generate a significant proportion of Jordan Bespoke business.
Furthermore, in 2015 Jordan Bespoke added luxury personalised fine cotton linings, printed with an image or a design unique to the customer – making the item individual, memorable, and collectable. As Simon explains, “It’s all in the detail.”
BRG
Passionate About British Racing Green
As a British brand, it is only correct that Jordan Bespoke supports the extraordinary heritage of racing in Britain, and through its corporate colours celebrates the victories of the famous green cars in international motorsport since the turn of the last century.
The origin of ‘Racing Green’ harks back to Selwyn F. Edge, Director of the Napier Car Company and fearless competitor. ‘SF’ as he was known is credited with introducing British Racing Green to the sport, with his Napier team cars on the Gordon Bennett Cup races – the famous international events established by millionaire owner of the New York Herald, James Gordon Bennett Jr.
For its branding, Jordan Bespoke combines the iconic British Racing Green colourway with Racing Red – the Italian national racing colour – and is proud that all its goods and accessories are handmade in Italy.
Stirling Moss
Jordan Bespoke Range with Stirling Moss
In 2008 the Jordan Bespoke name was being mentioned in race paddocks and concours events around the world, and Simon built up the courage to approach the great Sir Stirling Moss – a childhood hero and motor racing legend.
It was a true honour for Simon when Sir Stirling responded favourably to the concept of creating a bespoke range of ‘Moss’ leather goods. “I’ve kept the letter from Stirling when he agreed to lend his name to the products,” explains Simon, “It’s one of my most treasured possessions.”
The Moss range recreated the character of the British driver’s Ferrari 250 SWB racing car – indeed with its number 7 in a white roundel and blue background telling a story in itself.
Partnerships
Lotus, Instituto Ayrton Senna and More
The accuracy and consistency of the items also drew great admiration, and soon Jordan Bespoke had been commissioned by Classic Team Lotus, McLaren, Instituto Ayrton Senna, and Sunseeker Powerboats.
Expanding the range beyond helmet bags to include leather bags, briefcases, luggage, folios, and small leather goods, Jordan Bespoke has since created items with personalities such as Niki Lauda, Bernie Ecclestone, Sir Jackie Stewart, Prince Albert of Monaco, and nine-times Le Mans winner, Tom Kristensen.
Since 1987
Coach Trimming and Vehicle Upholstery
Simon Jordan started restoring cars in 1987, and therefore it is a natural progression for Jordan Bespoke to offer its skills and experience in leatherwork and manufacture to customers seeking bespoke coach trimming and upholstery for their premium and classic cars. Commissions are now being booked, with a full Porsche 911 RSR retrim underway at Jordan Bespoke’s workshop at Bicester Heritage in Oxfordshire, England. Only the finest Tuscan performance leather and suede hides are used for coach trimming and upholstery. To find out more contact info@jordanbespoke.com.
From Bicester to Tuscany
Jordan Bespoke Drivers Club & Italia HQ
With 37 years of experience in automotive, Jordan Bespoke will be arranging curated trips from its UK HQ at Bicester Heritage to Italy, sharing its vast knowledge and passion for Italy in an unforgettable series of adventures. Furthermore, special guests – and friends of Jordan Bespoke – from the highest echelons of automotive and motorsport will accompany guests on the Drivers Club events.
In addition, Jordan Bespoke is creating a private and secure car storage facility in Tuscany within 30 minutes of the international airport. The facility will be available to club members and will be the headquarters for Jordan Bespoke in Italy and a hub for driving events, tours, product launches, and will feature a boutique store and a global distribution centre.
For more information on the Jordan Bespoke Drivers Club and the Italia HQ, contact Simon direct on 07920 427430.
