BEHIND THE BRAND

Summerill & Bishop is regarded as the finest tastemaker when it comes to dressing the table - we delve into its history

A DECADE or so ago, few described tablecloths as current, covetable or cool, but that attitude has arguably been turned on its head by the success of the London-based emporium Summerill & Bishop. Having established itself as the number one destination for tableware, and become a firm favourite among the style-savvy, the company has raised tableware – in particular, the tablecloth – out of its staid setting to shine a light on its role in bringing friends and family together.

As Christmas approaches, the brand prepares to launch Les Airelles, a cloth featuring sprigs of bright red cranberries on a clean white background. It follows the release of the Couture Collection, which launched in late October and is made up of a triptych of one-off tablecloths – a first for the company. From modest beginnings nearly 30 years ago, Summerill & Bishop designs now adorn dining tables across the world.

How it started 

Long-time friends June Summerill and Bernadette Bishop opened their first shop in Holland Park, west London in May 1994. They wrote the business plan together on a notepad, while perched at a local cafe.