HERITAGE REDEFINED: BARBOUR & BRITISH VOGUE DESIGN COMPETITION
- Jul 22, 2022
- 1 min read
Updated: Mar 15, 2023
Barbour has been an icon of British style since 1894 – its storied heritage felt across the UK and worldwide. So our Founding Director, Yvonne Courtney could not resist throwing her hat in the ring when Barbour launched a design competition in partnership with British Vogue to celebrate 100 years of re-waxing – a sustainable technique that ensures the longevity of a Barbour garment.
Applicants across the world were invited to reinvent Barbour’s signature Beaufort jacket, attracting over 500 entries. Five designers were shortlisted – including Yvonne! True to form, rather than sticking to the jacket’s template, Yvonne spliced the jacket, distilling it into a hybrid scarf-gilet piece.
Versatility is at the heart of its design: it can be worn as both a jacket and a scarf. “It retains the distinctive front detailing and can be worn on its own over a sweater or layered under a cardigan or coat. The reimagined jacket encapsulates my hybrid approach to clothing; blurring boundaries – indoor/outdoor; town/country… while also addressing our unpredictable weather!” Yvonne explained to the judges from Barbour, Vogue and Selfridges.
The icing on the cake was the finalists’s designs going on display for a month in Selfridges department store in London (April-May 2022) and being featured in British Vogue!
Our one-of-a-kind pieces are the antithesis of fast fashion – and many are gender neutral and free/one size’. Carefully sourced pre-loved garments or unsold stock are upcycled and repurposed to create smart, sustainable solutions for the modern wardrobe.
