Ally Capellino joins AB Group, founder becomes group creative director

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Dec 17, 2019

Capellino Design, the company that owns the UK-based Ally Capellino brand, has merged with Authentic Bespoke Group (AB Group) with brand founder Alison Lloyd now creative director of the combined group.

Ally Capellino is an independent high-end accessories brand with an almost-40-year history, although in its early days it was known for its ready-to-wear.  

AB Group also controls a basket of heritage brands including venerable British shirtmaker Budd, 140-year-old leathergoods maker Tusting, and Washington DC-based retailer of British brands Sterling & Burke.  

Lloyd said the move to merge the company should help her brand reach a larger consumer group than it could as an independent and she praised AB Group’s understanding of its brand values.

AB is an interesting company that has been in existence only since 2017 when it was formed to “champion micro-brands, bringing them to a wider audience in order to increase their brand equity and longevity”. It was founded by Stephen Murphy, who’s its executive chairman, and MD Rebecca Simonds.

Alison Lloyd launched her first Ally Capellino womenswear apparel collection in 1980, adding a diffusion line called Hearts of Oak three years later, with men’s and kidswear debuting in 1986. She launched the accessories that are now the driving force of the business only in the year 2000.