Our story · Inside the atelier
The oldest glovemaker by Royal Appointment in the world — where every pair is still cut, stitched and signed by hand in the Sussex countryside.
The oldest glovemaker by Royal Appointment in the world
Cornelia James has been handcrafting gloves for over 80 years. We are still a family-owned business, now in its third generation — and every glove is made to measure in Sussex, England.
This deep heritage and passion for bespoke tailoring makes us the trusted name in premium gloves — fit for Royalty, on stage and screen, and by anyone who knows the quiet luxury of something made entirely by hand.
Ripe, East Sussex
Our atelier sits on a working farm in the Sussex countryside, framed by hedgerows and the rolling chalk of the Downs. It is a slow, quiet place — and that unhurried rhythm is stitched into everything we make. Nothing here is rushed; every glove is given the time the craft deserves.
Three generations · One Royal Warrant
Founded in 1946, Cornelia James made gloves to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1947, and in 1979 till her passing held the Royal Warrant as glovemaker. Inside the atelier, framed photographs of the Queen and Princess Anne still watch over the makers — a daily reminder of the standard every pair is held to, and the legacy that Andrew and Genevieve continue to carry forward.
Handcrafted at every stage
One yard of fabric, one hand, and a single pair of gloves. Here is how it comes together.
1
Every style begins with card patterns, hand-drawn and kept in each size from 6 to 8½ — the templates the whole craft is built upon.
2
Cloth and leather are cut by hand and by steel die on the chequered cutting-room floor — each piece keyed to the exact size ordered.
3
Each machinist has her own technique for the same glove — a personal style that only comes with experience, on machines decades old.
4
Bows and buttons are added by hand — the Thalia alone carries eighteen individually made bows on a single pair.
Put a name to a face
Every glove we send out is handcrafted at every stage, then individually signed off by one of our makers — so you can truly put a name to a face. We're a small team, and we all help wherever we can. It's that shared care and craftsmanship that makes every pair so special.
Made by Nellie
Glove Maker
Our youngest — and newest — glove maker, learning a craft that develops with every pair.
Made by Katie
Monogramming & Making
Our go-to for all things monogramming — every new design, font and size gets her thumbs up before it goes out.
Made by Milena
Our Longest-Serving Maker
Bringing years of skill to the team — and the maker trusted with our most intricate designs.
Packed by Katie
Dispatch & Gift Notes
Everything dispatch — she packs every order, handwrites the gift notes, and makes gloves in her spare moments too.
Made by Lalee
Glove Maker
New to gloves — and discovering just how intricate and complex this craft really is, one pair at a time.
Made by Mohammed
Glove Maker
A love of sewing brought him to gloves — and he’s now one of our most skilled and fastest makers.
Made by Catherine
Experienced Seamstress
An experienced seamstress who brings a wealth of expertise — and a genuine joy for the craft.
Swipe to meet all seven
Signed, sealed, sent
Look inside your gloves and you'll find a small tag — Made by Nellie, Katie, Milena… Each order is signed off, hand-wrapped and sent with a handwritten note. Not made by a machine, but by someone. That is the whole point.
The styles our makers love best — each one handmade to measure in Sussex.
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