Folk is a London-based contemporary menswear brand founded in 2000 by Cathal McAteer, a Scottish designer who moved to London from Glasgow with the ambition to build a label that made well-crafted everyday clothing with a focus on subtle detail, honest fabrics, and cut. Now in its 25th year and still proudly independent, Folk has become one of the most consistent and respected names in British menswear, with a loyal following among musicians, artists, chefs, and anyone who appreciates clothing designed to be worn rather than displayed.
Key Facts
- Founded: 2000
- Founder/Creative Director: Cathal McAteer
- Headquarters: London, UK
- Stores: Multiple London locations including Lamb’s Conduit Street, Soho, and Coal Drops Yard
- Industry: Contemporary Menswear
History
McAteer saved up from various jobs in London to launch Folk in 2000, starting with a small collection that focused on interesting fabrics and precise cut. The brand’s early growth was significantly enabled by a Japanese buyer who liked McAteer’s designs and provided advance payment to fund production — a relationship that shaped the brand’s strong Japan connection and its fabric-first approach. Folk now designs many of its own fabrics, working with mills in Portugal and Japan, and produces bi-annual collections from its London design studio.
The brand has remained independent through 25 years of shifts in the fashion industry. McAteer has spoken about his philosophy as akin to Paul Smith’s: more defined by what he’s said no to than what he’s said yes to. Folk has collaborated with John Lewis and a range of artists, musicians, and makers, and has expanded into furniture and objects as an extension of McAteer’s broader design interests.
Aesthetic
Folk’s menswear centres on modern, tactile clothing with minute detail — the quality of a button, the texture of a fabric, the precision of a fit — rather than brand identity or logo display. The colour palette is typically muted with occasional saturated accents; silhouettes are relaxed and wearable. The brand uses Japanese calico for jerseys, Bolivian alpaca for knitwear, and high-quality Portuguese cotton and linen for shirting — fabrics developed or sourced specifically for each season.
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