Jannete Hamrouni

In a special post, we remember a man who helped found Double TWO and became a war-time British spy helping to defeat the Nazi war machine!

The late Harry Beckhough had a very eventful life indeed!

When the government gave the Donner family (who themselves had fled Nazi occupied Austria) a permit to start a shirt making factory in an area of high unemployment, it was Wakefield that was chosen. Acting as translator and business advisor to Isaac Donner, Harry Beckhough helped get the family on a train to Wakefield to meet with the Ministry of Labour and the Midland Bank. He helped to setup the business and stayed to work with the company, becoming its first ever salesman.

Harry studied four languages whilst at school, English, French, German and Greek, as part of a deal he states he made with the Headmaster to escape expulsion! Mr Beckhough passed all four languages with flying colours, winning a place at Bristol University to study German.

In the

In a special nostalgic look back at our history, we first need to travel back to the early 1940’s.

The war had bought many scientific inventions as weapons technology developed, but it was the discovery of a new fibre that drew the attention of our Chairman, Mr Isaac Donner.

In 1941, in the midst of war, a scientist named Dr. Rex Whinfield derived a new fibre from oil. Despite this unlikely origin, the fibre looked and felt like silk and had many more qualities than any natural fibre could hope for.

The British government were so impressed with the discovery that the shackles of the Secrets Act were clamped on it until the end of the war!

Once the war was over, Dr Rex Whinfield along with Imperial Chemical Industries (I.C.I) patiently developed this man-made fibre for years, ironing out the snags and increasing its wonderful properties. They named it Terylene.

Then in 1951, just three days before the British Industries Fair, Isaac Donner, our founder a

There’s no questioning that James Bond is one of the most well-known film characters of all time. With Spectre released to UK cinemas today, we've selected our favourite fashionable Bonds to share. Bond has been a style icon since his debut in the sixties, but who dressed best?

5) Starring as Bond just the once, in 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, George Lazenby is the fifth star of our Best Dressed Bonds. As the #1 global male fashion model 1964-1968, Lazenby oozes classic style, with a Savile Row tailored suit and accessories such as a Rolex Submariner wristwatch. Whilst his role of Bond received mixed reviews, we think his classic British suave style makes him a timeless fashion icon.

Created to commemorate our 50th year, the following video offers a nostalgic glimpse into life at Double TWO head office in the 90's!

The video takes us through the innovative spare collar of the original Double TWO Shirts, the pioneering first polyester shirt and a tour of our head office, showcasing our use of, at the time, cutting edge technology to create the famous Double TWO Shirts.

Now in our 77th year, of course a lot has happened since the creation of this video, which now in itself offers a heavy dose of nostalgia from our archives.

Double TWO are pleased to announce exciting plans to expand into India in 2017. This will include the opening of three retail stores located in call centres as well as a planned flagship store located in a shopping centre in the heart of Bangalore.

A range of Double TWO Shirts, ties, knitwear and cufflinks will be stocked within one call centre store while the other two will be ‘catalogue shops’.

Instead of carrying stock, these ‘catalogue shops’ will be able to use samples and sizing sets to choose what they want, before placing an order online. Orders will be delivered the next day in the Bangalore area.

Double TWO has rented a 10,000 sq. foot warehouse in Bangalore, and will hire staff and vans for the next-day delivery service. Retail staff will be hire

In a special dose of nostalgia, we take a trip down memory lane to 1984 and the 'Everest Double Glazing' Round Britain Offshore Powerboat Race.

The race, which had previously been held in 1969 and has only ever been held once since, in 2008, was a 10 stage tour around the British coastline. With huge costs involved, sponsorships were invited involving some of the big brands of the time. Double TWO were delighted to be involved.

Beginning in Portsmouth, 28 powerboats set off racing to Falmouth. Leg 2 saw a race further up the coast to Fishguard in Wales, then to Douglas on the Isle of Man, a race around the Isle of Man for leg 4 and then on to Oban in Scotland. Competitors then cut through the Caledonian Canal as part of a non-racing cruise before resuming the race from Inverness to Dundee. From there the race continued to Whitby, to Great Yarmouth, to Ramsgate and then finally back to Portsmouth. A total race distance of 1,650 miles.

Welcome to the launch of the Double TWO Blog.

As we celebrated our 75^th Birthday in June this year, we are delighted to say we are one of a few family owned clothing companies continuing to prosper in this ever changing world.

We’ve seen a lot! Established in 1940 we have consistently improved and evolved to where we are today, and it’s been an exciting journey.

Our website has experienced some changes recently and now you can shop with us online, on your tablet and mobile as well as on your computer at home.

Launching this blog allows you to find out what we are up to here at Double TWO HQ, and the kind of trends, news and information we find interesting. (Hopefully you will too!)

From hints and tips to behind the scenes at our photoshoots we will be updating here to tell you all about it.

We hope you enjoy.

We will also be updating our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram regularly as well so keep watching.

We are raising money for Wakefield Hospice by taking part in Jane Tomlinson's Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon. Last year was a great success where we managed to raise over £1000!

Can you help us to beat that this year?

Please sponsor us at www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/DoubleTWO-Runnershttp://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/DoubleTWO-Runners

Thank you from all the Double TWO Team!