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How did Simon Butler go from wearing the clerical collar to sourcing clerical clothing; and what goes into making Butler & Butler Clerical Shirts? Here’s what Simon had to say for himself.
A cleric himself, Butler & Butler’s CEO, Simon Butler, described how he came to put together the clerical clothing family firm with a reputation for quality.
Sustainable Partnerships, Value for Money
“From the start,” begins Simon, “I wanted to ensure that Butler & Butler’s dealings with customers and suppliers were fair and honest; building long term, sustainable partnerships with suppliers and providing value for money to our customers.”
Simon established Butler & Butler in 2008 to supply clergy with attractive and well styled shirts of the highest quality material, cut, and workmanship at a reasonable price - and made from Fairtrade certified cotton cloth.
Clerical Shirts in Fairly Traded Fabric
“But no matter how hard we looked,” recalls Simon, “we couldn’t find anyone producing clerical shirts in Fairtrade material. And so the idea was born.”
After numerous conversations with the Fairtrade Foundation, Simon managed to make contact with a garment maker in East Africa who was able to produce clerical shirts to Butler & Butler’s exact specification.
Same Ethic from Grower to Customer
In fact,” says Simon, “like the cotton used in the production of our shirts, the garment manufacturer was also Fairtrade Certified. So the Fairtrade Certification runs right through our whole supply chain: from cotton grower to garment producer.”
From the outset, the company wanted to ensure that their shirts were durable and well made using top quality fabrics with designs that are stylish and well cut; keeping in mind the diverse range of clergy men and women who will wear them.
Women’s Shirts with a Feminine Cut
“We try to be adventurous with our colour range,” says the Reverend Butler, “and we’re always interested to know what colours our customers would like to see.
“Our women’s range has been exceptionally well received as we’ve cut these shirts to have a distinctly feminine look.”
Butler & Butler shirts also give their wearers the added comfort of knowing they’ve given something back.
“All our garments carry the Fairtrade Foundation Trademark,” assures Simon, “which guarantees that small scale cotton farmers from developing countries receive a fair and stable price for their goods and labours.
“Additionally they receive a Fairtrade premium which enables them to invest in their farms, businesses and communities."
Supporting Clergy in The Third World
A percentage of the company's own profits are channelled into relief work and social ventures in the developing world. The company also helps a number of overseas dioceses fund clergy salaries in poorer regions.
“We work with dioceses across the developing world to supply their clergy and ordinands with free clerical wear. When all is said and done,” concludes Simon, “we think that Good Business is good business.
Clerical Shirts with Comfort and Style
Keeping clergy and church leaders well dressed, comfortable and looking good, Eden’s range of Butler & Butler Clerical Shirts provides a big value choice of popular colours, styles and sizes for men and women; with most items ready for same day dispatch.
