HISTORY
HISTORY
Learn about our history
“When the roots are deep, there’s no reason to fear the wind.”
Denys Finch Hatton was the archetype of the brave adventurer — a man whose freedom was his highest maxim and the principle by which he directed his life.
But who was Finch Hatton, and why does he serve as the namesake for a fashion brand?
Denys Finch Hatton was born in England on 24 April 1887. The second son of an earl, he grew up in privileged circumstances. After his education at Eton College, he attended Brasenose College, Oxford, graduating in 1910.
In 1911, Finch Hatton travelled to British East Africa — present-day Kenya — and was immediately captivated by its beauty and wildness. He chose to remain there, soon establishing himself as a successful big-game hunter and safari guide.
His services were sought by many prominent and wealthy visitors, including Edward, Prince of Wales — later King Edward VIII.
Denys Finch Hatton became acquainted with the author Karen Blixen, who ran a coffee plantation at the foot of the Ngong Hills. They began an intense and passionate relationship that lasted until his death in 1931 and was later documented in her world-famous memoir Out of Africa.
The story was subsequently adapted into a feature film, released worldwide in 1985.
At the same time, Roger Brandts was in South Africa. Like Finch Hatton, he was deeply captivated by the beauty of the continent and by the life of the British adventurer, whom he came to know through the book and film.
Both his own experiences in Africa and the powerful story portrayed on screen stayed with him throughout his life.
“When I completed a six-month internship in South Africa in the mid-1980s to prepare for my studies in textile technology, the film Out of Africa was released in cinemas. I was captivated — not only by this extraordinary continent, but also by the character of Denys Finch Hatton, portrayed by Robert Redford. He embodied a great spirit of freedom and a deep love for the nature and wildness of Africa.”
Roger Brandts
From the Story to the Brand
Born into a family of textile makers, Roger Brandts’ love of fabrics has been with him from an early age. Although he once considered following a path similar to that of Denys Finch Hatton, he ultimately chose to pursue his own adventure — founding his fashion label in 1988.
The name came naturally: FYNCH-HATTON.
It was conceived as a tribute to Denys Finch Hatton, whose independence, spirit of adventure and love of freedom left a lasting impression on him.
