A Shropshire company that started off making protective clothing is now strutting its stuff on the catwalk in Italy.

Bradley’s the Tannery, based in Stanley Lane, Bridgnorth, now creates gardening tools and clothing, using only hand-crafted English materials and hides. And its designs have proved a big – if unusual – hit at the Vogue catwalk fashion show. Bradley’s is one of only six tanneries still in existence in the UK.

It originally manufactured heavy leather gear, including welding gloves, jerkins and aprons.

But now its range of floral linen and leather gloves, aprons and tool pouches in vibrant bright pink and blue has been snapped up by organisers of the Vogue fashion show.

The magazine has chosen to accessorise some of the world’s top models with Bradley’s designs.

Brad Burn, owner of Bradley’s, said: “We are now more involved with the fashion industry and ladies looking for unusual leisure clothing, gardening tools and gifts rather than industrial workwear.

“We were absolutely thrilled when our accessories were chosen for the Vogue fashion show.

“We have come a long way from our original products, but it is so exciting to see this happening – the sky’s the limit now.”

Mr Burn was recently invited to visit Japan for a week-long exhibition organised by the country’s high fashion magazine Penn.

He will display a selection of goods in the British fashion section of a store similar to Harrods. Bradley’s is a regular award-winning exhibitor at Chelsea Flower Show and has won several accolades.

By Steve Todd