Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli: The Artist Who Improved The Vision of Rainwear

My dear fashionistas, welcome to the second fashion story in a series of posts from Ireland on the Mr.M blog. This February will be dedicated to this unusual country in the heart of Western Europe, a country known for its greenest landscapes, St. Patrick’s Day, music, the famous Irish whiskey, but also for its extremely high quality wool. At the very beginning of today’s fashion story about Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli, an iconic Irish rainwear brand, I would like to thank the Enterprise Ireland team for the warm invitation to the 50th anniversary of the three-day Irish trade show Showcase Ireland and for making the collaboration with Irish fashion brands that you will have opportunities to see in fashion stories from Ireland.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Black Tie Chauffeur, a Dublin company that provides exclusive luxury chauffeured passenger services. This company enabled me to visit the Cliffs of Moher, which are among the most beautiful and impressive natural sights in Ireland. There will be a special travelogue about the Cliffs of Moher where you will get to know the localities in more detail, as well as the service of a private driver with whom you can quickly and with a high level of comfort and convenience enjoy the natural sights of Ireland.

With the selfless help of all the mentioned partners, fashion stories and travelogues from Ireland were created, which you will have the opportunity to read this February, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure. Today I will introduce an Irish brand that caught my attention during the Showcase Ireland trade show – Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli.

If by any chance you missed reading the previous travelogue post about Showcase Ireland or you want to remind yourself of some interesting things, take the opportunity to visit the following LINK.

Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli is a distinctive Irish brand whose tradition and love for rainwear spans nearly two centuries. You must be wondering what is the story of this extraordinary brand? Back in 1823, Mr. Charles Mackintosh patented his breakthrough invention in the form of an extraordinary waterproof fabric. His material has been used by a select few manufacturers to make special raincoats, using his patent 2 layer double cotton bonded with a rubber compound which is then further bonded with rubberised cotton. Later, in 1889, one of those manufacturers from Manchester expanded its operations to Ireland and in 1934 registered its Mackintosh manufacturing business.

The popularity of raincoats has led to them being exported to countries as far as the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. They were worn by men and women who appreciated their function and quality workmanship, however, complaints continued due to the unpleasant smell of the rubber and their tendency to melt in warmer temperatures and become very stiff during cooler temperatures. These raincoats were in such demand that they were also supplied as the official uniform raincoats to Irish government organisations such as the State Police, Military Police Airport Police, Army Officers, Prison Officers and other semi state organisations such as Irish Rail and the Post & Telegraph Service until the downturn in demand caused by the recession and availability cheaper synthetic waterproof materials.

The turning point for the brand was in 1983, when the company was bought by Francis Campelli, who solved all the above complaints and developed a fabric that is odorless and will not change its properties in extreme weather conditions. This fabric is a double cotton texture, with a high-tech breathable membrane sandwiched between 2 layers of cotton, it is breathable, waterproof, windproof, durable and has the added benefit of being dry cleanable and hand washable. For nearly 200 years, generations of artisans have produced these raincoats that have come to be known as ‘The Mack’.

The fabric used to make Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli raincoats is known as Double Texture Cotton. This material is made of 2 layers of fine quality cotton and one special layer of high-tech polyurethane waterproof breathable membrane. It is important to note that all 3 layers are connected by heat and pressure with a hidden waterproof membrane located in the center.

The fabric is pre-shrunk and lightly sanded to provide extra comfort to the touch. Also, this material is additionally coated with a moisture repellent finish to disperse rain. It is important to note that this material is silent unlike the others and does not cause excessive noises when rubbing. The fabric is waterproof, windproof, breathable and durable in general wear conditions.

The Mackintosh will hold its shape thanks to the construction of the seams and the bonded membrane that binds the 2 layers together. It will not become excessively rigid at low temperatures, nor will it melt during exposure to high temperatures. This fabric can be cleaned in a number of ways: dry clean, hand wash or machine wash, but machine wash is not recommended as the Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli team usually use wool linings that can shrink or leather belt buckles that would fall apart in the machine or other non-machine washable covers. It is important to note that after washing or the first season of wearing, the fabric of your raincoat will become a little softer.

As you are used to sharing maintenance tips for Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli raincoats, today I will try to share some additional maintenance tips with you. As for cleaning, the brand recommends Chemical or hand wash at 30° with soap flakes that should be rinsed well. After washing, hang the raincoat on a wide roomy hanger and dry naturally. If you decide to use an iron, then use a steam iron on low heat. After cleaning, reprime if necessary to maintain the shower-repellant finish. It is important to note that colors may lighten after cleaning.

Machine washing is not recommended, but the double-textured fabric used in Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli mackintoshes can actually be washed in a modern washing machine with a delicates or wool programme. The fabric will not shrink or delaminate, the color may change – lighten, but not more than when washing by hand. If the raincoat is machine washed, the pre-shrunk wool lining may still shrink and any genuine leather buckles may begin to fall apart. After a good rinse with plenty of cold water to remove any residue will ensure an even colour, this can be done using a shower head in the shower or bath, or even a garden hose if you have the option. After rinsing it is best to hang your Macintosh on a wide plastic hanger on the clothes dryer.

To maintain the beauty of your Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli raincoat, there is no need to iron or refinish the rainproof finish as the mackintosh will remain waterproof due to the hidden waterproof membrane, but leaks may occur at the stitching points if the rainproof finish is somehow damaged worn out. Iron the garment only from the inside, using a modern steam iron, which will have a Teflon backing to prevent the surface from shining. Remove all detachable items and iron separately. Pressure can be applied to any area where there is only one layer of fabric.

During ironing it is only necessary to use light pressure or no pressure at all on areas where there are folds or 2 layers of fabric. To restore the rain-resistant finish, you can purchase a product from specialized camping equipment stores and look for products that are used to repair cotton clothing and follow the instructions for proper use. To extend the life of your Macintosh, hang it to dry in a well-ventilated area and make sure it is completely dry before long-term storage.

In today’s story I present to you this unusual Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli short brown raincoat with special wool lining which is ideal for cold and windy weather. A brown raincoat is needed by every man during the winter period, and this raincoat can be worn on all occasions and has a special and elegant charm. It is important to note that this raincoat is extremely light and I liked this unusual oversized cut.

If you want to stay updated and find out what new products Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli, a luxury Irish rainwear brand, has prepared for us, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

OUTFIT

Short Raincoat: Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli

Sweater: Aida Barni

Trousers: Loro Piana

Sneakers: Fratelli Rossetti

Today’s fashion adventure we will continue with old friends, I’m sure you remember the brand Aida Barni, which is synonymous with the perfect softness and refined Italian processing of cashmere. Last season we enjoyed the beauty of bright colors, while this year I decided to paint cold winter days with some warm pastel colors. Soft, light and warm cashmere items are also a good investment and practical gift during the fall-winter. When you give someone a cashmere sweater, it is a gift from the heart, because a cashmere sweater carries a certain symbolism with it.

Aida Barni is a brand that belongs to the Annapurna group. Founded in 1978, the Annapurna Group has become one of the leading Italian and world manufacturers of high-quality cashmere knitwear with its two fashion lines, Annapurna and Aida Barni.

Annapurna uses all the latest production techniques available on the market, from cotton looms to the latest and most advanced knitwear machines of all sizes. The current production capacity is about 120,000 pieces per year. It is important to note that the entire production cycle is performed in Italy, more precisely in the factory of the company located in the city of Prato, which is also the center of the province of the same name located in the heart of Italy – Tuscany.

“Made in Italy” is more than a production concept, but this brand has proven to be much more than the perfect cashmere sweater on a store shelf. It is love at first touch, an impression to remember.

Annapurna is a name that evokes everyone with exceptional mountain landscapes, especially the mountain range in the Himalayas where goats live with their winter fleece, hiding the soft, warm “cloak” that made them so famous.

Aida Barni is an iconic and fascinating name for a fashion line that produces high quality knitwear from the finest cashmere. Aida Barni is a symbol of a goal for a woman who decided to enter the world of business in the late seventies and reach the very top of this challenging and one of the most difficult sectors of the market.

The Aida Barni brand was created as an artistic expression of the way of life and existence, the essence of unstressed chic, refined luxury. A collection for men and women dedicated to everyone who loves timeless and elegant knitwear that encompasses true elegance in the preciousness of materials, shapes and details.

The man who wears Aida Barni knitwear does not follow trends, but creates and adapts to the needs of everyday life. The men’s collection is made up of cult clothing items of sentimental value, which evoke a healthy and environmentally friendly way of life. Customers of the Aida Barni brand love natural and fine yarns, enjoy comfort, but do not give up the elegance and sophistication of cuts and models.

Aida Barni concept of men’s “sports elegance” is simple and with style, but rich in materials and inconspicuous details that make this brand cult because it represents an expression of uniqueness and special class.

The turtleneck sweater with zipper you see in today’s post is from the latest Aida Barni FW24/25 collection, a wonderful orange colour and is made of pure cashmere. Refreshing colour for the new season!

You can buy Aida Barni cashmere items in multi-brand stores and department stores across Europe and the world and through authorized online stores. When you give someone an Aida Barni piece, it is more than respect and love because you are giving a piece in which love and deep respect for art that is not worshiped every day is woven.

For all Aida Barni fans in Germany, I have discovered two men’s spots where you can find and enjoy in the beauty of Aida Barni incredible knitwear: Braun Hamburg and Mientus retail stores.

If you want to stay tuned and find out all the news that Aida Barni is preparing for us this fashion season, follow them on the social networks Facebook and Instagram.

Loro Piana is an Italian company specialised in clothing and textile products. This fashion house is considered the largest producer of cashmere and also the world’s largest artisanal company processing the luxury fiber.

The Loro Piana company has three divisions (textile divisions): a division that deals with the production of high-quality materials using precious fibers such as cashmere and baby cashmere, vicuna, linen and merino wool, a division that deals with the creation of luxury fashion items(production and distribution of men’s, women’s clothing, footwear and fashion accessories) and the interior design department – production and distribution of interior design products.

In today’s post you have the chance to see a special item, a cashmere trousers from the latest men’s Loro Piana Autumn-Winter 2024/25 collection, which is just a small piece of my favourites this season due to their signature elegance and my love for neutral colours. Made from 100% cashmere, these camel trousers is perfect for the man who pays attention to details and leaves nothing to chance.

This elegant cashmere trousers in camel color is perfect for all occasions and extremely easy to match with other colors. If you want to stay updated and find out which pieces the Loro Piana brand has in its offer, visit their official online store and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

We end today’s fashion adventure with old well-known friends of the Mr.M blog – Fratelli Rossetti. This Italian footwear brand that I’m sure everyone recognises for their comfortable shoes that are made from the highest quality materials Fratelli Rossetti footwear is fantastic for the reason that this brand makes classic shoes that are elegant and simply unbeatable, shoes for all time! You had the chance to see their most famous model, the Brera, in my Jordan fashion stories as well as in many other fashion stories on the Mr.M blog over the past years.

What is the story of this brand? In the middle of the 20th century, more precisely in 1945, Mr. Renzo Rossetti started his story from scratch, where he worked alone to cut leather for several types of sports shoes. His shoes were sold at the famous Brigatti store in Milan, one of the few remaining stores of its kind in the city. After a few years, Fratelli Rossetti saw success, but, wanting to develop further, they transferred the brands and equipment for this special production to Atala Sport in Padua.

So they decided to start their story again from the beginning and decided to switch to the production of classic shoes. Those were the years between 1952 and 1957, which witnessed the orientation and acquisition of new skills in the creation of women’s ballet flats and elegant, simple men’s footwear characterized by extremely flexible and high-quality workmanship. All this led to the creation of a small collection of men’s shoes with contours that differed from the various styles sold at the time. Renzo Rossetti consequently engaged in work that demonstrated his aesthetic sense and artistic perfectionism.

The story of the Fratelli Rossetti company is an inspiring story of a successful Italian family business that opened its doors in 1953. This is not just an ordinary company story, but a family story: the founder, Renzo Rossetti, and his wife, Lisetta, were dedicated to their work all their lives. The Fratelli Rossetti company is currently run by the second generation of the Rossetti family, the brothers Diego, Dario and Luca, who, due to their different roles and by developing their own different skills, have successfully brought their company to its 60th anniversary, always in search of quality and united by their passion with strict respect for tradition.

Fratelli Rossetti has a long tradition of “big little innovations”. In this company, tradition and quality have always gone hand in hand with insatiable curiosity and commitment to innovation. From the introduction of tassels and the invention of shoes designed to be worn without socks, to stylistic innovations and the launch of the “masculine” style, to the application of colors in unique chromatic shades. It was Renzo Rossetti who emphasized the importance of embracing new materials, styles and shapes: as early as the 60s, he was already experimenting with different color combinations on leather. Today, the company continues its research and development activities thanks to the knowledge of its craftsmen and the creative spirit of the styling department.

Fratelli Rossetti in its collections for men has timeless classic lines that you can find all year in their offer, some of the models are: Brera, Brera Sport, Hobo Sport, Yacht, La Giusta.

In previous stories you had the opportunity to enjoy the Brera models, but this season I decided to show you the other side of the Fratelli Rossetti brand – the new face of sporty elegance.

In today’s fashion story, I want to present to you the dynamic and metropolitan look of Fratelli Rossetti sneakers from the latest Fall-Winter 2024 collection, which are made of the highest quality soft nubuk leather in dark brown chocolate color. Of course, there is also an insole that can be removed and ventilated. The cupsole features the brand’s logo on the back and is made of flexible, lightweight rubber with a custom tread that lets you feel like you’re walking on clouds.

This sneaker model comes in several variations, mine is dark brown made of nubuck leather, while there are 2 more shades of brown: brown deerskin sneakers and smooth antique-effect leather sneakers in ebony colour. Of course, there are also sneakers in the indispensable classic olive color made of suede leather. In addition to this sneaker model, the Fratelli Rossetti brand offers several other sneaker models, so I am convinced that if you are looking for quality and well-designed sneakers, you can find them in the Fratelli Rossetti collection this season.

If you want to stay freshly updated and find out which models of shoes and leather goods the Fratelli Rossetti brand has in its offer, visit their official online store and follow them on the social networks Facebook and Instagram.

My dear fashionistas, we have come to the end of the second fashion story from the series of posts from Ireland, where together we discovered the beauty and splendour of fashion with the Irish brand Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli, the beauty of refined cut with the Italian brand Loro Piana, the luxury and softness of Mongolian cashmere and the Italian production of luxury knitwear with Aida Barni and the beauty of the comfort of Italian footwear with Fratelli Rossetti, partners with whom fashion stories are a real adventure. I sincerely hope you got some inspiration for your ideal winter outfit!

In the following posts, I will try to show you the beauty of the capital of Ireland – Dublin, as well as some natural beauties of Ireland with unusual fashion stories I made there. Today’s fashion story would not be possible without the selfless help of Enterprise Ireland, Black Tie Chauffeur, Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of local culture and the beauty of everyday life in Ireland.

Today I tried to show you the beauty of elegance and refinement of luxury fashion in the natural beauty of Ireland, that’s why I prepared this outfit for you with a lot of love, I believe you will like it. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or any message for me, you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social media channels, which you can find on the CONTACT page. See you soon!

With Love from Ireland,
Mr.M

This post is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, Black Tie Chauffeur and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence, as well as Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli, Loro Piana, Aida Barni and Fratelli Rossetti brands. This post is my personal and honest review of their products.