Mulberry Group
British fashion company best known for luxury leather goods, especially women's handbags.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Mulberry Group is a British fashion company founded in 1971 by Roger Saul and his mother, Joan Saul. It is best known internationally for Mulberry, a luxury accessories and fashion label whose strongest association is with leather handbags. The business developed from a Somerset-based manufacturing operation into a globally distributed fashion company with products spanning women's and men's bags, small leather goods, accessories, footwear, luggage, and ready-to-wear clothing. The company's early identity was closely connected to rural British life and practical leather craftsmanship. After opening a factory in Chilcompton, Somerset, in 1973, Mulberry established a distinctive lifestyle aesthetic through products such as poacher bags, binocular bags, and dispatch bags. Its Somerset manufacturing base remains an important part of the brand's identity, even though production is divided among facilities in different countries and product categories. The original factory is known as The Rookery, while a second Somerset facility, The Willows, began production in 2013 and was formally named in 2014. Mulberry's development has been shaped by successive creative directors and by efforts to balance British manufacture, luxury positioning, international expansion, and commercial growth. Scott Henshall joined as creative director in 2000 during a period when the company was under financial pressure. He worked on the fashion and accessories collections, rebranding, advertising, and celebrity visibility before leaving in 2001. Stuart Vevers led the creative direction from 2005 to 2007. Emma Hill joined in 2007 and became associated with commercially successful products including the Alexa Chung handbag. Her tenure coincided with strong initial profits but also with trading difficulties linked to the credit crisis and later profit warnings. Hill left in 2013 after reported creative differences. Johnny Coca served as creative director from 2015 to 2020. During this broader period, Mulberry expanded its international business through partnerships in Asia, including Mulberry Asia with Challice and Mulberry Japan with Onward Global Fashion. The group continued to operate stores, concessions, wholesale relationships, and online channels across the United Kingdom and overseas markets. In 2014, it opened directly operated stores in the United States and Germany and added a concession in France; by 31 March 2015 it reported 70 directly operated stores. Mulberry is also a publicly traded company. Its shareholder discount scheme historically offered qualifying shareholders a discount at Mulberry stores, with the minimum qualifying holding increased from 250 to 500 shares in 2018. Ownership and control became a significant strategic issue after Frasers Group acquired a 12.5% stake in 2020 and subsequently increased its holding. In 2024, Frasers made two unsuccessful approaches to acquire the company, with the bids rejected by majority investor Challice. The group continues to present itself through a combination of British heritage, leather expertise, fashion design, and international luxury retail. Its manufacturing and apprenticeship activities in Somerset support a local production narrative, while its global partnerships and stores extend the brand beyond the United Kingdom. In 2025, it entered new United Kingdom wholesale agreements with John Lewis, Liberty, and Harvey Nichols. Reference material also states that Christopher Kane was appointed creative director of the ready-to-wear collection in 2026; this future-dated development should be independently verified against current company information.
History
Mulberry Group began in 1971 when Roger Saul and his mother, Joan, established the business in the United Kingdom. The company opened a factory in Chilcompton, Somerset, in 1973, in an area with an established leather and footwear manufacturing tradition. This location helped shape Mulberry's long-term identity as a British leather-goods company with a strong connection to regional craftsmanship. During its early development, Mulberry built recognition through practical yet distinctive leather products associated with rural and outdoor lifestyles. Poacher bags, binocular bags, and dispatch bags became important expressions of the brand. The range later expanded into women's and men's clothing, handbags, accessories, footwear, luggage, and small leather goods. Although Mulberry became an international luxury name, Somerset production remained central to its heritage. The original factory became known as The Rookery, and a second Somerset factory began production in 2013 before receiving the name The Willows in 2014. The company's creative direction changed several times as it sought to modernize its image and increase its fashion relevance. Scott Henshall became creative director in 2000, at a time when the company was experiencing financial difficulty. His responsibilities included jewelry, fashion and accessory collections, rebranding, and advertising. He also pursued a celebrity-led visibility strategy, using Anna Friel in advertising and placing Mulberry products with prominent public figures. Henshall left in 2001 to concentrate on his own mainline collection. Stuart Vevers served as creative director from 2005 to 2007. In 2006, Mulberry also introduced an apprenticeship programme designed to give local young people production training and potential employment at its Somerset factories. Emma Hill joined in 2007 and was credited with creating several important products, including the Alexa Chung handbag. The company initially reported strong profits after her appointment, but later encountered pressure from the credit crisis and issued profit warnings. Hill departed in 2013 after reported creative differences, and the announcement negatively affected the share price. Mulberry's manufacturing model combined British production with overseas sourcing. Reference material indicates that some categories, including men's bags, were produced in Turkish factories, while small leather goods and Scotch-grain luggage were made in China. This reflected the company's use of different production locations for different product types while retaining Somerset as a significant manufacturing and brand-heritage center. The group continued international retail expansion in the mid-2010s. In 2014, it opened directly operated stores in the United States and Germany, added a concession in France, and temporarily closed its Stansted Airport store because of terminal redevelopment. As of 31 March 2015, it had 70 directly operated stores. The year ended 31 March 2015 produced reported revenue of £148.7 million, lower than the £163.5 million reported for 2013, with retail growth offset by a decline in wholesale sales. Earlier reported figures for 2012 included revenue of £168.5 million, operating income of £35.4 million, and net income of £36.0 million. Johnny Coca was creative director from 2015 to 2020. During this period, Mulberry broadened its Asian commercial structure. In 2017, it launched Mulberry Asia with Challice and agreed with Onward Global Fashion to establish Mulberry Japan, headquartered in Tokyo. The company's shareholder discount scheme was revised in 2018, increasing the qualifying holding from 250 to 500 shares. Ownership became a prominent strategic issue in the 2020s. Frasers Group acquired a 12.5% stake in 2020 and was reported to have increased that holding to 37% by 2023. In 2024, Frasers made two unsuccessful bids to acquire Mulberry for up to £111 million. The proposals were rejected by Challice, which was reported to hold 56.4% of the company. In 2025, Mulberry signed new United Kingdom wholesale agreements with John Lewis, Liberty, and Harvey Nichols. Reference material further states that Christopher Kane was appointed creative director of the ready-to-wear collection in 2026; because this is future-dated material, the appointment should be checked against an authoritative current source.
- 2025
New United Kingdom wholesale agreements
[1]Mulberry signs new wholesale agreements with John Lewis, Liberty, and Harvey Nichols.
- 2024
Frasers bids for Mulberry are rejected
[1]Two reported acquisition approaches by Frasers Group are rejected by majority investor Challice.
- 2020
Frasers Group acquires a minority stake
[1]Frasers Group acquires a reported 12.5% stake in Mulberry.
- 2017
Asian joint ventures expand
[1]Mulberry Asia launches with Challice, followed by the creation of Mulberry Japan with Onward Global Fashion.
- 2015
Johnny Coca becomes creative director
[1]Coca takes over creative leadership for a period that runs through 2020.
- 2013
Second Somerset factory begins production
[1]Mulberry adds a second Somerset production site, later named The Willows.
- 2007
Emma Hill joins Mulberry
[1]Hill joins the company and later becomes associated with the Alexa Chung handbag.
- 2006
Apprenticeship programme begins
[1]Mulberry launches a local programme intended to develop production skills and employment opportunities in Somerset.
- 2000
Scott Henshall becomes creative director
[1]Henshall joins during a difficult financial period and works on product, branding, advertising, and celebrity visibility.
- 1973
First factory opens in Chilcompton
[1]Mulberry opens a factory in Somerset, establishing the manufacturing base that remains central to its British identity.
Products and positioning
British luxury fashion positioned around leather craftsmanship, Somerset manufacturing heritage, distinctive handbag design, and a lifestyle-oriented interpretation of contemporary British style.
Handbags
Luxury handbags
Handbags are Mulberry's most internationally recognizable product category. The company is particularly associated with women's leather bags that combine functional construction with British country and fashion references. Its handbag offering has supported the brand's luxury positioning and provided the platform for named and celebrity-linked designs, including the Alexa Chung handbag.
Leather bags
Poacher bags
Poacher bags are part of Mulberry's early product heritage. Their practical, outdoors-oriented character helped establish the company's lifestyle identity and differentiated it from purely formal luxury accessories. They represent the brand's early connection to British rural imagery and durable leather craftsmanship.
Leather bags
Binocular bags
Binocular bags belong to Mulberry's early range of functional leather products inspired by outdoor pursuits. The category illustrates how the company translated practical British equipment into fashion and lifestyle accessories while building recognition for its leatherworking capabilities.
Leather bags
Dispatch bags
Dispatch bags are another heritage category associated with Mulberry's early identity. Their utility-led design language reflects the company's original emphasis on durable leather goods and helped establish a bridge between traditional British accessories and contemporary fashion.
Women's handbag
Alexa Chung handbag
The Alexa Chung handbag is associated with the creative direction of Emma Hill and represents Mulberry's use of named, personality-linked products to build cultural visibility. It formed part of the company's modern handbag strategy during Hill's tenure and contributed to the period's commercial momentum.
Leather accessories
Small leather goods
Mulberry's small leather goods include accessories such as purses, wallets, and phone holders. Reference material identifies these as a distinct product group within the wider assortment and indicates that this category has been manufactured in China.
Apparel
Ready-to-wear
The company has offered women's and men's fashion alongside its leather accessories. Ready-to-wear became a specific area of creative leadership in the reference material, which states that Christopher Kane was appointed creative director for the ready-to-wear collection in 2026; that claim requires verification.
Footwear
Footwear
Footwear is part of Mulberry's broader fashion and accessories range. It extends the brand's leather and lifestyle proposition beyond handbags and small goods, although the supplied reference material does not identify specific footwear models or launch dates.
Travel goods
Luggage
Mulberry offers luggage as part of its accessories portfolio. The reference material specifically mentions Scotch-grain luggage and indicates that this category has been manufactured in China.
Marketing campaigns
- 2000Henshall rebranding and celebrity visibility programme
United Kingdom · International
Under Scott Henshall, Mulberry worked on a rebrand and advertising activity that used Anna Friel as the face of the brand and increased visibility through celebrity product placement.
Outcome. The activity was intended to modernize the brand and broaden its fashion profile during a financially difficult period.
Brand decisions
2026
Appoint Christopher Kane for ready-to-wearOtherBackground
The supplied reference material describes a new creative leadership appointment for the ready-to-wear business.
Action taken
Christopher Kane was reportedly appointed creative director of the ready-to-wear collection.
Aftermath
The appointment's status and scope should be verified because the supplied information is future-dated.
2025
Expand United Kingdom wholesale distributionStrategyBackground
Mulberry sought to strengthen domestic distribution through established luxury and department-store partners.
Action taken
The brand signed new wholesale agreements with John Lewis, Liberty, and Harvey Nichols.
Aftermath
The agreements broadened the brand's United Kingdom wholesale presence.
2024
Reject Frasers Group acquisition approachesM&ABackground
Frasers Group sought to acquire Mulberry after becoming a substantial shareholder, while Challice remained the reported majority investor.
Action taken
Two approaches by Frasers Group, reportedly valued at up to £111 million, were rejected by Challice.
Aftermath
Mulberry remained independent, subject to the continuing influence of its major shareholders.
Reported maximum value of acquisition approaches. Up to £111 million (October 2024)
2020
Frasers Group takes a stake in MulberryM&ABackground
Frasers Group began building a strategic position in the listed luxury company.
Action taken
Frasers Group acquired a reported 12.5% stake and later increased its holding to a reported 37% by 2023.
Aftermath
The investment made ownership structure and potential corporate control important strategic issues for Mulberry.
Reported value of initial 12.5% stake. Approximately £19 million (February 2020)
2018
Raise the shareholder discount thresholdPrice changeBackground
Mulberry operated a shareholder discount scheme for qualifying investors.
Action taken
The minimum qualifying shareholding was increased from 250 shares to 500 shares.
Aftermath
Eligibility for the discount became more restricted.
2017
Create Mulberry Asia and Mulberry JapanM&ABackground
Mulberry pursued a partnership-led approach to international expansion, particularly in Asian markets.
Action taken
The group launched Mulberry Asia with Challice and formed Mulberry Japan with Onward Global Fashion.
Aftermath
The arrangements expanded Mulberry's regional operating structure and retail reach.
2013
Expand Somerset manufacturing capacityStrategyBackground
The company continued to emphasize British production while operating a broader international supply chain.
Action taken
A second Somerset factory began production and was later named The Willows.
Aftermath
The additional site increased the group's domestic production footprint and became part of its manufacturing heritage.
2006
Introduce a Somerset apprenticeship programmeStrategyBackground
Mulberry sought to preserve and develop local production skills while creating employment pathways around its Somerset factories.
Action taken
The company launched an apprenticeship programme offering training in production skills, with graduating apprentices offered employment opportunities at its factories.
Aftermath
The programme reinforced Mulberry's local manufacturing and community-oriented brand narrative.
Sources1 sources
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