This Hugh Wright top hat belonged to William Brook-Smith. He bought it in the 1920s and wore it until the late 1930s when men's fashion became less formal. It was made in London by Woodrow & Sons for the New Zealand menswear business Hugh Wright Ltd. It is stamped with both labels. Hugh Wright Ltd was founded in 1904 when the tailor, Hugh Wright, returned to Auckland after spending several years working for London firm, McCombie Bros. His first shop was on the corner of Customs and Queen Streets. Hugh Wright junior joined the business in 1930, later expanding the business from three Auckland shops to 30 nationwide outlets. The business closed in 2002.