Great British Designers & Craftsmen
For Over Three Centuries.
TOYE STORY
Through nine reigns and five major wars.
1600s
1685
October 22
A History That Began In A Bloodbath
More than 200,000 gave up everything they possessed and fled rather than renounce their faith. That mass exodus weakened France but enriched England, for many of the dispossessed fugitives were craftsmen of incomparable skill.
1685
October 22
A History That Began In A Bloodbath
More than 200,000 gave up everything they possessed and fled rather than renounce their faith. That mass exodus weakened France but enriched England, for many of the dispossessed fugitives were craftsmen of incomparable skill.
1685
October 23
A Town Called Hope
Guillaume Henri Toyé settled with his family in the appropriately named Hope Town (now Bethnal Green) where he began weaving silk, velvet and gold and silver laces for the gentry.
1685
October 23
A Town Called Hope
Guillaume Henri Toyé settled with his family in the appropriately named Hope Town (now Bethnal Green) where he began weaving silk, velvet and gold and silver laces for the gentry.
1700s
1800s
1855
June 13
The First Power Loom Operated By A Gas Engine
William’s eldest Son, also named William, invented a power loom operated by a gas engine. This invention propelled the company to further success and it soon expanded further by building a modern factory in Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green.
1855
June 13
The First Power Loom Operated By A Gas Engine
William’s eldest Son, also named William, invented a power loom operated by a gas engine. This invention propelled the company to further success and it soon expanded further by building a modern factory in Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green.
1861
April 11
Playing Both Sides
Controversially, and in relative secrecy, entrepreneurial Toye salesmen supplied uniform and accoutrements to both sides of the American Civil War.
1861
April 11
Playing Both Sides
Controversially, and in relative secrecy, entrepreneurial Toye salesmen supplied uniform and accoutrements to both sides of the American Civil War.
1889
March 17
Khaki Spells Disaster
The introduction of cordite, a smokeless gunpowder, transformed the battlefield and overnight the resplendent uniforms worn by the British Army, became a tactical disadvantage. The smokeless battlefield, combined with the increasing accuracy of rifles, allowed the enemy to identify and snipe officers with precision. And so khaki was introduced. It saved the lives of countless soldiers but brought Toye’s to the brink of financial ruin.
1889
March 17
Khaki Spells Disaster
The introduction of cordite, a smokeless gunpowder, transformed the battlefield and overnight the resplendent uniforms worn by the British Army, became a tactical disadvantage. The smokeless battlefield, combined with the increasing accuracy of rifles, allowed the enemy to identify and snipe officers with precision. And so khaki was introduced. It saved the lives of countless soldiers but brought Toye’s to the brink of financial ruin.
1890
September 16
The Hunt For New Markets
Guillaume Henri Toye’s rugged determination to survive, he turned his attention, energies and skills to making high quality regalia for friendly societies and masonic lodges. In addition, Toye began making the beautifully embroidered and hand painted banners for the emergent, and then beautifully dressed, trades unions together with their ornamental sashes.
1890
September 16
The Hunt For New Markets
Guillaume Henri Toye’s rugged determination to survive, he turned his attention, energies and skills to making high quality regalia for friendly societies and masonic lodges. In addition, Toye began making the beautifully embroidered and hand painted banners for the emergent, and then beautifully dressed, trades unions together with their ornamental sashes.
