Aquascutum calls in administrators

Aquascutum, the London Fashion Week label owned by Harold Tillman, has collapsed into administration, putting 250 jobs at risk at the classic British clothing brand.

FRP Advisory was appointed as administrators after Mr Tillman was unable to find a buyer for the company, the maker of luxury raincoats worn by Winston Churchill and Humphrey Bogart. It was put up for sale two weeks ago.

The brand was founded in 1851 by tailor John Emary, who patented a technique of shower-proofing wools and was the first to introduce rain repellent cloth. He was commissioned by the Government to design a coat for First World War officers in the trenches – hence the trench coat.