Rohan Originals at Keswick

May 10, 2009 Rohan Shops, News & Events 11 comments

bens_gallery

I know a place that houses the most complete collection of early Rohan garments I have ever seen.
I know a person that has spent years collecting the garments. Rohan garments that even I had long since forgotten. Rohan garments that chart the lineage of Rohan from 1975 with pride.

Where is this place? Rohan Keswick

Who is the person? Ben Evans Owner of Rohan Keswick

Next time you are in Keswick call into the Rohan shop and ask for Ben. Vintage Rohan is a favourite subject.

I was on my first visit back to Rohan Keswick in 12 years when I discovered the bounty. Wow! the shop has changed. So much bigger, on the other side of the road a substantial, smart, sunny shop greeted me. It was a dreadfully cold day in early March. No daffodils up.
I was made very welcome by Ben and his great team.
The shop was very busy but it was not long before our heads where deep into the awesome archive boxes, billing and cooing at the bounty. Garments that I had not seen for many years, bursting with the colour and innovation of Rohan Originals. A fantastic vintage Rohan collection.

A week or so after my visit I learnt from Ben and his team that they have decided to display the best of the Rohan Originals in the shop so we can all share them.

“We have many customers that are very interested in Rohan’s history. They have many of the early garments , some they are still wearing or are still in use because they have handed them down in the family and we all want to talk about them. So it makes sense to display some of the real landmark originals for us all to share”

That’s exactly what has happened. The gallery is now displaying a fantastic example of the first Rohan Tundra circa 1978-80 – soft shell before soft shell was thought of, the Starkhorn Jacket circa 1976 – Rohans first jacket and the 1st Strider circa 1976. The good news is there is more to come including, rumour has it, The Pacer a very unusual and rare find. More to come on this one in future posts on Rohantime

Next time you are in Keswick call in and get acquainted or re-acquainted with the Rohan Originals.

Ben will keep us all posted on new updates to the Rohan Original gallery at Keswick.

Sarah Howcroft

11 Comments

Martin Read says:

13/11/2009 at 17:25

I just donated my Olfio top to the charity shop a week ago (Jade/Purple) – then saw this! Never mind!
Larkinabout says:

10/11/2009 at 14:17

I wish I had donated my two vintage Rohan jackets now to Keswick instead of the charity shop I wore both for 10 years until I got a new one for my birthday. It’s amazing to see how fabric technology has moved on. One thing Rohan does well is be discreet with its logo, I’m glad that hasn’t changed in years and I hope it never does!
Laurence J . Power says:

09/11/2009 at 20:19

Guildford is catching up courtesy of the load of stuff they are getting from me – original Olfio with bellows sides, a yellow belt, RAF blue bags from 1980, and the list goes on.

Laurence
Jason Lane says:

31/05/2009 at 20:26

I too have a blue and green moving on and a green and purple one too, which maybe if I lose a stone and a half I may fit once again (born optimist). Plus a couple of shirts. Also have a selection of early catalogues containing the wonderful colours. Whatever happened to those wonderful colours? I dont mind looking dusty brown or grey – for work, but simply doesn’t feel like ROHAN.
Ken Tait says:

21/05/2009 at 12:33

This sounds great!
What I want to know though is this, Will Rohan consider re-awakening any of these classics?
I would dearly love to see Steppes trousers, and have made mention to Rohan several times.
Keswick has always been the best store of all those I have visited, and it is always on our priority list of places to call in, when we are in the area visiting or travelling through from here in Co Down.
ben evans says:

19/05/2009 at 22:37

Hi Geoff
Many thanks for your offer of the original two shades of green ‘Moving On’. I would be very interested in this to add to my Keswick ‘Rohan Originals’ in- store gallery. If you could provide your contact details for me to get in touch or ring the shop on 017687 74963 that would be great.
If any else has any Rohan Originals to donate/loan please get in touch.
Many thanks
Ben Evans
Geoff Roberts says:

19/05/2009 at 18:02

Does Keswick have a “Moving On” in the original two two shades of green. I have an as new example I would be prepared to donate if they need one
admin says:

19/05/2009 at 13:33

Word on the street is that the Rohan Originals gallery is growing – watch out for news and photos from Ben and the team at Rohan Keswick
ben evans says:

16/05/2009 at 10:58

Thanks Simon and Mike for your comments.

Although the ‘Rohan Originals’ display is in its infancy the feedback instore has been very positive. I am aiming to put two more ‘original’ products on display next week-the Pacer (Mk 1 Moving on) and the original Action Jacket.

If anyone has any vintage Rohan products (or catalogues) from before 1985 that you would like to donate, or loan to the Rohan Originals gallery then please get in touch either through Rohantime, or call in the store, or ring the store on 017687 74963.

Thanks Ben
mike says:

15/05/2009 at 13:55

This is a good idea. I will call in when I am in Keswick. I have a number of very old Rohan garments I will bring them with me to see they are any use to Ben. Due a weekend in the lakes soon.
Simon Marshall says:

14/05/2009 at 09:28

A fantastic collection that i would love to see next time im in Keswick but i bet Ben cant find me a “stormer jacket” in mango in there !!!!!

Thanks to Ben and his team there for all the help over the years.

Simon