The Crown House Collection of Textile Documents was founded in 1989 by Kevin Lewis. The company and archive is owned by KML Trading UK.

Crown House first set up in 1989 as a publisher of rare limited edition books reproducing antique documents - many of which have become collectors' items.

The business expanded as larger collections were acquired. The acquisition of the Haward studio collection in 1995 helped establish Crown House as one of the largest archive dealerships in Europe.

We now have clients worldwide and supply many of the leading names in the home furnishings and fashion industries. Our clients include Colefax & Fowler, F Schumacher, Laura Ashley, Raymond Waites and Polo Ralph Lauren.

Crown House has continued to be involved in some major acquisitions of large collections both private and through auction including the archives of Bianchini Ferrier and most recently Boussac/Wesserling in December 2003. We now have a vast range of original designs covering many periods and styles.

We pride ourselves on working closely with clients and providing antique designs for a range of projects. We respond quickly to requests and travel all over the world to present our collections.

Our sister company Tom Lewis Studios Ltd has been active in the textile and wall covering business for over 40 years and is one of the World’s most successful design studios. They can undertake commissions based on our unique archive designs.

Who's who at Crown House?

Kevin Lewis & Martin Ellis

Kevin Lewis
Managing Director

Kevin Lewis began his career at the age of ten, pasting and mounting textile designs in his father’s studio in Manchester.

After graduating from Leeds University with a degree in Economics & History in 1984 he became the founder UK agent for Mode Information of Germany - the world’s largest distributor of fashion information.

Mode UK built up a large customer base in many different industries within the UK including dyers and printers, garment makers, fabric manufacturers and home furnishing producers. During this period he was involved in the development of the now world famous Pantone Colour Matching system. As the agent for Mode Information Kevin built up a wealth of contacts and attended trade exhibitions worldwide.

This thorough grounding in all aspects of the textile business enabled him to set up Crown House in 1989 and to develop it in to a worldwide business. In 1994 he took the Crown House brand in to the Far East and became the first document dealer to attend the important Japantex event and following this agents were established up in Japan and South Korea.

Martin Ellis
Sales Director

Martin, a Scotsman who has lived in England for the past 37 years has been involved with The Crown House Collection of Textile Documents for nearly 18 years.

He started his career in Advertising and Print, having spent 25 years in this field, working for Advertising Agencies in Print management and selling Print Services. During this period working with a leading fine art publisher he became responsible for the print production of the Crown House Collection and Fashion Graphics books published by Crown House Ltd.

In 1999 Martin was appointed sales director for the Star Licensing Studio with responsibility for sales in to both the home furnishing and paper product areas. Following a successful spell at Star he joined leading design studio Tom Lewis Studios Ltd (a sister company to Crown House) responsible for sales to the USA home furnishings market.

In 2002 he joined the Crown House Collection and became the Sales Director for the USA market. He has developed the business in the USA especially with the all important New York customer base. With the recent opening of our New York office he will be spending increased time in the city providing a high level of service to our clients there.

Brian Sage
Archive Manager

Brian is an accomplished graphic designer and illustrator and has worked in the graphic design field for over 30 years.

He has joined Crown House on a part-time basis to oversee the archive with particular responsibility for restoration of designs and cataloguing the collection.