Factory Records founder's son slams Selfridges collection prices

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jul 6, 2021

The son of the founder of Factory Records has criticised the label’s current owner and retailer Selfridges after a new collection of fashion and homewares went on sale with prices rising to the high hundreds of pounds.

The late Tony Wilson founded the Manchester music label that’s now owned by Warner Records. Known for its Manchester roots, and its signing of Joy Division and New order, it was also distinguished by its anti-establishment stance.

Oliver Wilson vented on Facebook saying “the sell-out is now complete” in response to hoodies selling at £520, cushions at £115, a Factory Records footstool at £700 and scented natural wax candles decorated with Joy Division and New Order record covers costing £45 each.

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Wilson added: “£500 hoodies, Joy Division woven cushions and Factory records natural-wax candles... wonder what my dad would have thought if he could have seen this when he started it back in 1979. Since he left I've seen a lot when it comes to ripping the legacy off.... but these prices are on another level.

“Factory was never about setting barriers or creating any kind of exclusivity, these items run against the core values they pretend to represent. A contradiction just like anyone who wears them.”

The collection has been launched on the Selfridges webstore and in its Manchester store as part of the campaign around the Use Hearing Protection Factory Records exhibition that’s at  Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry. Designers including Raf Simons, Marc Jacques Burton and Medicom worked on the pieces.