Iconic fashion retailer Austin Reed entered administration today. We look over the 116-year-old retailer’s history, from its heyday to its collapse.

1900: Austin Reed’s founder and namesake, Austin Leonard Reed, opens the retailer’s first store on London’s Fenchurch Street, introducing ready-to-wear suits to the high street.

1911: Opens its first flagship store on 113 Regent Street.

1930s: Opens concessions on luxury cruise ships including the HMS Queen Elizabeth.

1940s: During the Second World War, Austin Reed designs and manufactures uniforms for British soldiers. Winston Churchill wore siren suits designed by the retailer regularly.

1980s: Launches its first womenswear collection.

1990s: Austin Reed becomes official suppliers and outfitters to the royal family.

1998: Acquires womenswear brand CC, formerly known as Country Casuals.

Nick Hollingworth took the helm of Austin Reed in 2004

Nick Hollingworth

Nick Hollingworth took the helm of Austin Reed in 2004

2004: Nick Hollingworth appointed as chief executive.

2006: The retailer agrees a £49m takeover bid from investment group Darius Capital, led by Guy Naggar and Peter Klimt.

2009: Austin Reed buys upmarket fashion retailer Viyella out of administration.

2011: Austin Reed’s original Regent Street flagship is acquired by Supergroup. The upmarket retailer relocates to a new flagship at 100 Regent Street, comprising 35,000 sq ft, in the former Aquascutum store.

2014: Austin Reed hires Deloitte to draft turnaround plan after making a £1.29m loss in the year to January 2014.

Austin Reed put it's Regent Street flagship up for sale in 2015

Austin Reed, Regent Street

Austin Reed put it’s Regent Street flagship up for sale in 2015

2015: The menswear retailer undergoes a CVA, shutters 31 of its loss-making stores and puts its Regent Street flagship up for sale.

Alteri Investors provides a £6m loan to Austin Reed which boss Hollingworth says will allow the retailer to “further enhance our multichannel offer”.

2016: The retailer seeks advice from financial consultancy firm AlixPartners. Alteri Investors buys out Austin Reed’s loan notes and shareholder capital from Darius Capital.

Today: Austin Reed formally enters administration, putting nearly 1,200 jobs at risk