Maker of ‘fine hats’ Christy’s finds safe home under Liberty

The hatmaker of the British Monarchy bought by Liberty (BlueGem Capital Partners)

Upmarket London department store Liberty has purchased Christy’s, maker of ‘fine hats’ to luminaries as diverse as Winston Churchill and Johnny Depp.

The hat maker, synonymous for its Trilbys, Fedoras and Ecuadorian Panamas, was established in 1773 and is the first addition as part of a new expansion strategy at the department store firm.

Liberty, which was bought by investment firm BlueGem Capital Partners last year, shrugged off the gloom sweeping the High Street posting strong 2010 trading figures last week.

Sales were up 35 per cent and it said the good news had continued into the first half of 2011 with revenues rising 16 per cent.

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