House style

Get Wimbledon- and Ascot-ready

WHEN THE COLLECTOR and ethnologist Henry Christy returned to England from Constantinople in 1850 with a sample of a novel, looped-pile fabric he had discovered there, he was to revolutionise the bathing habits of the Western world. After studying the fabric closely, he and his brother created the first machine that could weave looped cotton on an industrial scale, and launched their new ‘Turkish towels’ to the market a year later. Queen Victoria was an early fan, after being presented with a set at the 1851 Great Exhibition.

Almost 170 years later, Christy, the firm originally established by Henry’s father, is still known for the quality of its towels and bed linen, and has produced the official Wimbledon towels for the past 30 years. Its 2018 range is now available, including designs for the players’ towels (which can be personalised free of charge, for those wishing to channel their inner Serena or Rafael) as well as face cloths, wash mitts and baby towels.

This year, for the second time, Christy is also the textiles supplier to Ascot, and, along with ‘Rider’ and ‘Jockey’ towels, has created a range aimed at those who prefer the leisurely sport of picnicking. The colourful, digitally printed tea towels depicting glamorously behatted ladies and gentlemen would look good wrapped around a bottle of champagne, while the striped throw and herringbone-check, wax-backed blanket and cushion are designed for comfortable pre-race lounging. Plus, there’s a tennis version, to complete the game, set and match. christy.co.uk

Check mates: Christy’s latest Wimbledon range includes this picnic set