Many wonderful things have come from the Northeast. Cheryl
Cole. Alan Shearer. Brown beer. But while we all love Geordie women, nostalgic
footballers, and slightly weird beers, the true hero of South Shields has to be
Barbour International. Founded in 1894, Barbour is a fifth generation family
business that has defied all trends and impostors to become the mainstay of
every stylish man's wardrobe. Always up for adventure, with more history than
you can get with a corduroy collar, Barbour jackets somehow manage to be
dependable and practical and endlessly cool.
Originally created in 1936 for the British Army (WWII
divers wore them as standard),
the A1 one-piece jumpsuit, depicted in iconic dark green wax, was later adopted by riders of all ages. The Barbour International brand was born. Since then, the ramification has allowed civilians to access the military style on the streets.
A direct descendant of the A1,
the A7 jacket has
been a wardrobe classic for years and has played a key role in establishing
Barbour International as a beloved heritage brand. To celebrate this season's
flagship jacket, Barbour teamed up with another northern icon, albeit a bit
taller, for a limited-edition collaboration at London Fashion Week for men.
Originally from North Lanarkshire, Scotland,
artist and poet
Robert Montgomery has created some of the most striking installations of the
last decade. His moorland poetry displays have appeared in some of the most unlikely
art hotspots in the UK - the De La Warr pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea and under a
bridge in London's Old Street, not to mention. some, this has earned him the
name "text-art". Banksy '.
Montgomery's work has a rebellious spirit, often installed
without warning and with messages of protest. As an ode to the spirit of
bravery, Barbour International has created six unique and personalized A7
jackets with lines from Montgomery's poetry in luminous thread embroidered on
the back.
Introduced today at the brand's LFWM unveiling,
these one-of-a-kind jackets can now be purchased exclusively on Selfridges.com and are sure to be collectibles for years to come. So if you're in the market for portable artwork you'll need to grab one quickly before they're gone. Absence? Follow Barbour International on their new Snapchat channel (@BarbourInt), where the brand will also offer painted replicas of the jackets on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th January.
BARBOUR INTERNATIONAL
This season at Barbour International is all about layering.
Described as "the perfect summer wardrobe for an imaginary life on the
road" and inspired by the growing trend in sportswear and casual wear,
relaxed and lightweight fabrics in indigo and heather gray rub shoulders with
pops of vibrant color. Of course, the brand's motorcycle heritage runs through
the range - classic biker jackets with modern cuts are updated with hints of
casual wear. Highlights include Darley's jersey, which could be the perfect
striped jersey; and the Croft Crew jumper, a very British version of luxury
sport. If we stick with recent trends, the new Nomex Quilt jacket will be a
must-have, its bomber shape combined with a sporty collar and cuffs for a true
biker feel, while remaining lightweight and contemporary.