The trio of students built the brand from nothing, with the help of some young aspirational charm and eager business brains winning them a small investment to get the ball rolling. Fast forward 14 years and Van Mildert became super successful, occupying multiple stores across the North East and Yorkshire with over 100 staff on the payroll. The time came to sell up and move on with the three entrepreneurs branching out and exploring other work ventures. Chris, however, has retail in his bones and a passion for tailoring, so in 2010, Woven was born.
With a desire to have a more personal approach to men's fashion, combining both high-quality products from British and European brands and a close relationship with customers, Chris has created not only a brand but a community. Personal service is one of many attributes that make visiting us more than just shopping but a full endearing experience, and Chris’s above-and-beyond attitude has left a trail of satisfied customers along the way who can't help but come back for more. Our attention to detail and long-standing commitment to customer satisfaction makes us a brand you can trust for consistently high-quality products and services.
In 2016, Chris was joined by his son Oliver and quickly became a celebrated independent in the city centre. Originally located in the Millburngate shopping centre, the store expanded and moved to Elvet Bridge, a full circle moment for Chris with it being the same site as the original Van Mildert store. This expansion was a testament to the success of their business mindset and stands today as a clear indicator of Chris and Oliver's commitment to excellent customer service and tailoring at Woven.
The store has achieved an impressive feat by surviving the pandemic and has earned the trust of many through its admirable business and our success demonstrated by the 15+ awards we have won in our 13 years of trading.
From then it's been nothing but up for the business with the arrival of Quickstich from Saddler Street in Durham, taking roots at Woven and rebranding to the Woven Workshop. The Workshop team offers a wide range of services, including clothing and fabric alterations, dry cleaning, and service washes. Our skilled seamstresses are committed to providing quality service and top-notch results. With decades of combined experience, you can trust us for a perfect fit and clean, fresh fabrics.
The Woven brand has become known for our quality, a customer-focused approach which is now reflected through our online presence after a major investment into our website, reaching larger audiences and expanding our product range to include clothing, accessories, and home and lifestyle products, delivering services to customers all around the world.
With our wide selection of premium brands and unique tailoring, Woven offers customers much more than just an average shopping experience. Each purchase is a personal journey with Chris and Oliver’s passion for tailoring and customer service ensuring that customers walk away with the looks they love. It's no surprise that customers appreciate the attentiveness and quality selection, allowing them to look their best and feel confident in their clothing choices.
Find us at 21 Elvet Bridge, Durham City, DH1 3AA and browse our impressive range of clothing and accessories from well-known names, UK-based designers and exclusive Woven-labelled pieces that offer something for everyone. With an eye for detail and high-quality tailoring, you are sure to find looks that fit your style, budget and personality.
