In conversation with John, Founder of Mantidy
From handwoven grooming rolls to elegant tech organisers, Mantidy is one of those rare brands that manages to feel both considered and creative in equal measure. Nestled in the heart of St James’s, its products are more than just gifts – they’re statements of thoughtfulness, craftsmanship, and individuality.
We sat down with John, Founder of Mantidy, to hear about the journey so far, what inspires his evolving collections, and why St James’s is the perfect home for his brand.
Tell us a bit about yourself and the story behind Mantidy – how did the brand begin, and what drew you to personalised gifting?
I was a buyer in the fashion game for a good twenty years or so and decided it was time to do something for myself. I knew I wanted to do something within the accessories arena rather than clothing as these are less season orientated and you don’t have to worry about sizing and less about markdown.
I also knew I needed a USP so looked at what wasn’t being covered by other brands. Grooming and tech seemed to be the way to go, and we keep on evolving into other areas, such as our Cheese & Wine rolls, Wash bags, Carabiner pouches and Pooch pouches.
What led you to set up shop in St James’s, and how has the area influenced your brand or creative direction?
I started with wholesale and the first account I opened was The Conran Shop, which was a proud moment, followed by Liberty and some great department stores around the world. I then spent a couple of years doing pop-ups in different areas such as Islington, Shoreditch, Marylebone, Belgravia, Notting Hill, Soho and finally settled in St James’s.
The brand is very much influenced by customer feedback which has pushed me to create different ranges for different profiles, such as our Herringbone range, Gaucho Range, Aztec Range and various collaborations. St James's has a very mixed audience so we constantly evolve to cater for them.
St James’s is known for its sense of craft, heritage, and individuality – how do you see Mantidy fitting into that mix?
We’re very proud of our handwoven Herringbone collection - each piece is distinguished by the herringbone weave, which is handcrafted by women in Sibaltan, a small village in the Philippines, traditional mat and market basket weavers.
With its green manufacturer and GREAT Women Initiative, Mantidy supports local women entrepreneurs, allowing them to receive better payment and improve the infrastructure of their community, including solar-powered energy and running water.
What does it mean to you to be part of this historic community?
It really is something special. The architecture and location make it a pleasure to come to work, on most days! Within our arcade and the surrounding streets, there’s a genuine sense of community and mutual support that makes all the difference.
What’s your favourite part of being based in St James’s – any daily rituals, local spots, or hidden corners you love?
St James's Park is literally on the doorstep if I ever need a walk to clear my head. There are plenty of coffee shops and restaurants nearby which are great. Soho is literally on the doorstep for nightlife.
Summer often brings a sense of refresh and reset – are there any new ideas, collections or inspirations you’re currently exploring at Mantidy?
Absolutely. We are sometimes deemed as a ‘gift purchase’ retailer rather than a necessity so we will be launching a new range of ‘essentials’, including a holdall / rucksack and packing cubes, made from recycled sea plastic. Sustainability and ethical production is always our priority in all of our products and we are always looking at new designs / ideas and collaborations.
We have also realised that inclusivity is key so are looking to rebrand as ‘MyTidy' - we have been building up to this, adding in relevant products and branding.
What’s one piece of advice you'd give to someone looking to give a truly meaningful gift - and is there a Mantidy favourite that always hits the mark?
I think personalisation is the key to gift buying. Looking like you have made a lot of effort and thought. We can monogram our product with names or initials which always looks like you’ve spent more time sourcing and locating than you actually have. We also have lovely gift boxes and ribbons to make sure the ‘gifting’ is a pleasure from start to finish.
From sustainability to story-driven design, John’s vision for Mantidy is rooted in quality, creativity, and community. And here in St James’s - where tradition meets innovation - it feels right at home.
Whether you're looking for a meaningful gift or simply want to explore design-led accessories crafted with purpose, a visit to Mantidy is well worth adding to your list.