Vispring revolutionised sleep comfort through pocket sprung mattresses. Its name is composed of "spring'', its integral design element, and "VI", the Roman numeral for six – and the amount of turns each of its springs feature. These components have appeared in luxurious beds throughout history, from the staterooms onboard the RMS Titanic to the suites of The Dorchester.
Learn a little more about our latest addition to the Walpole collective in our interview with Vispring's Global Marketing Director, Clare Schifano, below...
Walpole: Tell us about the history of your brand…
Claire Schifano: In 1899, British engineer James Marshall lovingly handcrafted a mattress using coiled springs wrapped in muslin for his wife who was suffering an illness. His design came to the attention of John Nolon and Frederick James, who ventured to produce the pocket sprung mattress commercially in the UK. The pioneering pair incorporated the Marshall Sanitary Mattress Company in 1901 – latterly Vispring. It was to become a revolution in sleep comfort.
In 1911, ocean liners were the way to travel, and it was here that Vispring found its first major orders. The comfort and luxury of a Vispring mattress perfectly fitted the opulent cabins and suites of the world’s finest ships, including the RMS Titanic and RMS Olympic.
As the decades passed, Vispring’s expert bedmakers began to experiment with new, natural mattress fillings. Horsehair was used for natural spring, pure cotton for breathability, and Shetland wool for strength and comfort. Luxury finishes including silk and cashmere were used for softness. In 1932, Vispring continued to innovate, creating the world’s first pocket sprung divan to partner its mattress. This combination of sprung mattress and divan is now known as the ultimate sleep system and one that we continue to make in our Plymouth factory.
The design of Vispring mattresses has remained largely unchanged for more than 120 years. The same time-honoured skills of hand nesting, side stitching and tufting have passed down through generations and are still employed to produce our signature comfort.
What is your brand best known for?
As the name suggests, springs are a vital ingredient in our bespoke range of beds. The steel springs we use feature six turns, which is where the name Vispring comes from: "VI" being the Roman numeral for six. These springs work in harmony with the other luxurious, natural materials that fill every mattress to provide a delicate balance of strength and softness.
At the heart of every Vispring mattress lies a single, double, or triple layer of springs and it is the shape and gauge of the spring that matters. With nine different wire gauges and 58 distinct spring types to choose from, Vispring has perfected a variety of tensions that can be tailored to each customer’s exacting comfort preference.
We are one of very few bedmakers to still produce our own springs, in a process that remains very similar to our 1901 design. This method of production ensures a flexibility and resilience that is without equal.
What has been a significant achievement in your company’s timeline?
There have been many achievements over our 123 year history, from being on the RMS Titanic to being honoured with the Queen’s Award back in 2012. More recently, our flagship store opened on Regent Street in October 2022.
Why do you love the brand?
Vispring truly exemplifies traditional British craft and luxury in today’s modern world. We resolutely refuse to cut corners in our selection of natural materials and our standards of production. We believe our commitment to quality and longevity in materials, design and manufacture has enabled Vispring to stand the test of time.
Why does your brand represent the very best in British luxury?
Vispring’s exquisite use of artisan skills passed down generations represents the very best in British luxury. We are very proud that our craftspeople continue to create world-renowned beds from our Plymouth factory for a growing customer base in the UK and across the world.
What attracted you to becoming a Walpole member?
Walpole is a collective of some of the very best of British luxury brands, and we are very excited and privileged to now be a part of this amazing group. We look forward to collaborating with likeminded brands that share our values and vision.
If you could collaborate with another Walpole member, which one would you choose?
There are many brands across a broad range of sectors within Walpole that we would be delighted to work with. We already partner with Dorchester Collection; you can sleep on our mattresses in all their hotels. Rolls–Royce feels a natural choice as we are both British brands steeped in history with craft at our core. We look forward to exploring mutually beneficial partnerships that promote British luxury brands to a discerning global audience.
Tell us about an exciting development or new launch for your brand in the coming months...
We recently celebrated the launch of the Vispring Showroom, our second standalone London store, at Chelsea Harbour Design Centre. We’re so excited to now showcase our exquisite range at this important location for the interior design community and beyond.
