Batch LDN’s founders turned savings and family loans into a menswear label worn by Britain’s biggest names.
Three years ago, Sam Matanle and Julian Osborne were hunched over a kitchen table in a cramped flat, wondering if they’d made a huge mistake.
Today, their menswear label, Batch LDN, is worth £5 million – and their suits are being worn by Ant & Dec, Simon Pegg, Steven Bartlett, Jamie Laing and England rugby star Maro Itoje.
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The pair, both 30, launched their brand after pooling £50,000 from savings and small family loans.
“It means so much that our loved ones took a chance on us,” Sam said. “Thankfully, we’ve now paid both loans back in full.”
Their mission was simple: reinvent the men’s suit.
“I’ve always found the traditional suit uncomfortable and outdated,” Sam explained. “Most men don’t want to spend thousands to look good.”
Batch LDN’s answer was the casual, made-to-order suit – high-quality tailoring starting from £395.
“Every man should have a casual suit in his wardrobe – it shouldn’t cost the world,” Julian said. “We wanted to bridge the gap between quality and affordability.”
The approach has resonated. Unlike some brands, Batch LDN hasn’t paid anyone to wear their designs.
“It feels crazy that Ant & Dec or Simon Pegg choose us over global high-end brands,” Sam said. “I love Hot Fuzz – so to think Nicholas Angel is in one of our suits is surreal.”
Last November, the brand opened its first store in Covent Garden. At a time when physical retail is rare, they see the shop as key.
“We wanted a homely atmosphere, somewhere men could feel comfortable, rather than the stale or intimidating experience tailoring can sometimes be,” Sam said.
From a two-man operation, Batch LDN has grown to a seven-strong team. With ambitions to expand across the UK – and eventually go global – the duo is determined to take their vision further.
“All the hard work we’ve put in is starting to pay off,” Sam said. “But this is just the start for us.”
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