Since 1989
The Founder
In the 70s and 80s, good quality men’s footwear was somewhat limited in choice and styling, or so the young Oliver Sweeney thought (and looking back we can probably all agree there were some rather mundane offerings). In 1989, having spent 20 years meticulously learning his trade from the best shoemakers in the industry, Oliver set up his own brand, designing and producing innovative shoes and boots in a highly skilled, artisan factory in Italy. The designs celebrated traditional craftsmanship with refreshing modern styling, created with the best available materials from renowned tanneries. The resultant range was a new genre of high quality footwear that broke away from the traditional limited offering on the market at the time.
35 years later our brand has flourished into a comprehensive menswear collection of clothing, footwear and accessories. We use those same principles, pioneered by Oliver, of modern design and quality construction in everything we do.
Since 2009
Meet our CEO
Tim Cooper has been at the helm of the brand since 2009. Footwear is in his blood, having generations of cobblers and shoemakers before him. After graduating in Economics at University, Tim followed the family passion serving a comprehensive factory apprenticeship in France, where he learnt the skills and processes involved in the manufacture of footwear (along with some rather dubious factory floor French). His subsequent career has taken him around the globe sourcing from among the world’s best. This experience has instilled in Tim the importance of the manufacturing and supply base and the need to build long term, committed partnerships.
Our Partnerships
At Oliver Sweeney we view our business as a series of partnerships – our customers, our supply base and our team.
Our customers are key. We strive to keep you happily in our family for as long as we can. We make things properly from the best sources. We design for today but with a longevity to ensure you enjoy your choices for seasons to come. We carefully consider how our clothing and footwear can be put together to create an effortless style that instils confidence. And, if things occasionally go wrong, we provide a personal customer care service with real human professionals to resolve any issues.
We see our Factories, Tanneries and Mills as an extension of our brand, choosing established, ethical, highly skilled partners that we admire and are proud be associated with. We know all our factories personally and build long term, trusting relationships with them. Not only is it a joy to develop these partnerships and learn from the incredible knowledge and expertise they bring, but we also benefit from consistency, flexibility and the ability to develop and innovate.
Our Team
In an industrial backwater in Kentish Town, London is a hive of creativity with photographers, artists, designers, authors and stylists (and where even the local brewery ‘crafts’ its ales). This is our working home.
We are proud to boast a lively, talented and diverse team of creatives, geeks, youth and experience from all corners of the UK and the globe. We are a small, hardworking and loyal team, many of whom have grown with the business. We relish this dedication and the contribution and ideas that each member brings. Following Tim’s philosophy, our team have all enjoyed factory visits to understand and gain first-hand knowledge of the production processes (and inevitably, the local wines).
Our Philosophy
We are in it for the long term, whether it is our suppliers, our staff or, more importantly, our customers. We believe there is value in making things properly and are passionate about the skill and expertise of our partners and colleagues, who go the extra mile to make the our ranges the best they can be.
We hope our collections will inspire confidence not only in the styling and coordination of the clothing and footwear, but also in the quality and provenance of the materials and manufacture. We hope, above all, you will share our passion.
Welcome to Oliver Sweeney, we’re glad to have you on board.
