Barbour Jackets are world renowned for their heritage in producing some of the finest jackets. Over the last 5 years we have seen a colossal amount of change in J Barbour & sons. A decade ago we only affiliated Barbour jackets with our great British Country scene. The classic farmer’s  jacket has come along way indeed. Barbour focused on reminding everyone  what we all had forgot,  the sporting history of the brand , producing some of the finest motorbike jackets way back in 1936. With the re-release of the ‘Union Jack’ Jacket by Barbour International few years ago, Barbour has once again deepened it’s foundations in the fashion industry. So what’s next ? A collaboration with a top end Japanese designer…. wait, they have ticked that box already with Mr Tokihito Yoshida. A what fantastic jackets they are too, I have had mine almost three years now and it’s parked in the garage waiting a bit of re-waxing. Lets not forget Mr James Bond wearing the now dubbed Commander Jacket in the recent Skyfall film, which just identifies what heights Barbour have reached.

The To ki To Collaboration has now  come to an end, well almost, as we’ll be seeing more of the To ki To jackets being re-issued from the start again under a new label called Dept.B incorporating subtle changes, but that’s another blog for a different Saturday afternoon.

The latest developments with in Barbour are to the Beacon Heritage Range which for Autumn Winter 2013 will see a new collaboration with Norton & Sons of Savile Row.

Fashion over the last couple of seasons has divided into very much two split routes , one being the Street look, with the likes of Boy London and Billionaire Boys Club , Mr Bathing Ape to name a few, leading the way and the second and more in tune with Stuarts London is the smarter more tailored smart fashion. Its trendy once again to been seen in a blazer that will last the test of time, buying into quality. Top end fashion means parting with extra money, but as a wise man once said; you can buy cheap everyday of the week, but you only buy expensive once in a while to keep.

In short quality cost money and becomes a good investment.

Norton & Sons will of course fall into this category and with the creative direction of Patrick Grant, who has a sound reputation for working closely with celebrated designers of London, New York and Paris. One can only expect the best from this partnership between two British super brands. The collection will be based on authoritative cut blends with functional and rugged materials.

“You can buy cheap everyday of the week, but you only buy expensive once in a while”.

Inspiration for the collection comes from the artisan look and feel of workwear worn by traditional fishing and working communities along the Northumbrian coast. Combined with Barbour’s history in supplying these with quality, simplicity and understated style of Savile Row.

Norton & Sons established in 1821 by Walter Norton as tailors to the Gentlemen of the City of London, originally located on the Strand. The business flourished and by 1860 Norton & sons moved to Savile Row, where they still remain today. Savile Row still today is the home of bespoke tailoring. The Firm gained eminence as a sporting tailor, with an impressive portfolio of clients including King Edward VII, Wilfred Thesiger and Winston Churchill.

We look forward to being one of the very select few to stock this new collaboration for this A/W 2013. Deliveries will start End of July to Mid August.

Stuarts London is an official stockist of Barbour x Norton & Sons Collection.

Written by Ravi Grewal