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is an established independent family owned company, founded in 1937. We are based in Glastonbury in the south west of England, traditionally the heart of England's sheepskin industry. We are proud to say we are a fourth- generation family business, and have been manufacturing in our Glastonbury factory for over 80 years, now the oldest sheepskin footwear manufacturer in the United Kingdom. We specialise in luxurious natural products of sheepskin and leather, that provide both warmth and comfort, in traditional English designs, which are popular worldwide. Our footwear takes up to 4 weeks to manufacture, and we use only the finest materials available.
The company was founded by Richard Jack Draper, who after many years in India and Canada had become involved in the 1930’s with a Glastonbury glove maker, Harry Cox. His success in marketing the products, particularly gloves for industrial use, led to him taking over the premises and setting up his own company in 1937. The original buildings were a former chapel and cottages dating back to the medieval days of Glastonbury. Mr Cox’s original company was started back in 1911.
From working on Government contracts, supplying safety asbestos and leather protective wear during world war two, the business was gradually extended to make use of the available raw materials of sheepskin and leather. A pool of skilled local labour, with specialists experience drawn from generations of working with sheepskin, encouraged the development of the footwear business. By 1946 suede and sheepskin slippers were being made, as well as leather and suede sandals with crepe soles.
In 1952 the footwear manufacturer of the local firm Baily’s was taken over and the Baily’s brand was used for several years on sheepskin boots. Baily's were also famous for manufacturing the boxing gloves used by Muhammad Ali.
The second generation Richard Donald Draper joined his father in 1955 and it was at this time that new Italian vulcanising machinery was installed for sheepskin boot making. It was the first machine of it's kind in England.
During the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, the company became a major boot supplier to the U.S.S.R and extra factory facilities were taken over in Clevedon and Bristol. By now over four hundred people were employed in manufacturing
Draper sheepskin products
A showroom and shop in Sydney Street, Chelsea began operating for many years to promote the sheepskin coat business in London. The third generation of the family came into the company with Nicolas Richard Draper, in 1979. He is the present managing director and is responsible for our new retail outlet, a new concept allowing customers to view the factory production lines while shopping, and modern web site which has gone from strength to strength. It was at this time a 100 acre farm in south Wales was bought; to cope with demand for quality materials of leather and sheepskin.
Today the company is still very much a traditional family concern, with four generations of the family having been involved with the company. We now produce an average of 1000 pairs of sheepskin slippers and sheepskin boots a week, twenty five percent of which is exported to the highest quality accounts throughout the world. The Glastonbury premises, extended in 1962, are situated in the shadow of the famous Glastonbury Tor.
that are still hand crafted in the Glastonbury Factory using the finest materials and skills available and are sold throughout the world. Our products have been worn and appreciated by royalty and countless celebrities, though we don't like to shout about it. We know our product is for those who appreciate the very best quality.
Please email us with any questions that we can help you with at
Style and functionality apart, comfort is one of the important aspects of choosing the right footwear. Choosing the right kind of footwear is based on a number of parameters. But, what can be said for sure is that happy feet make the day less tiring and help you stay on your feet for long. The best footwear variants are the ones that answer the call of fashion and functionality equally. Sheepskin footwear certainly fits that bill with ease. Apart from slippers, boots are also quite popular among the fashion enthusiasts. One can find a wide variety of the sheepskin footwear at
