Barbour’s collaboration with House of Hackney represents the best of British design

There’s a compelling dichotomy at the heart of British fashion. On the one hand, London is known as the most creative fashion capital; the birthplace of punk and a city where expressing your individuality through clothes is endlessly encouraged. On the other, Britain is also the home of many esteemed and storied fashion houses, and the nation that gave rise to the ‘Sloane ranger’ – a subculture notable for its preppy separates, heritage fabrics and love-forever chunky knits. But although these examples sit at polar ends of the sartorial spectrum, the two worlds have been beautifully combined this season, with British fashion stalwart Barbour joining forces with contemporary London label House of Hackney to create a stunning capsule collection that strikes the perfect balance between timely and timeless.

With a history stretching back more than 125 years, Barbour – a fifth-generation, family owned brand – is nothing short of a British institution. Founded in South Shields, the label initially specialized in high-performance outerwear designed to protect fishermen, sailors and mariners from the notoriously inclement British weather. However, the brand – which has not one but three Royal Warrants to its name – has since become closely associated with the monarchy (Queen Elizabeth II is often spotted in her waxed Barbour jacket) and, most recently, with arbiters of style Kate Moss and Alexa Chung.

Similarly defined by a sense of place is House of Hackney, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and is the brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Frieda Gormley and Javvy M Royle. Before founding the label, the pair worked in buying and product design, and it was a discussion around how to decorate their own home in creative hotspot London Fields that inspired them to establish an interiors brand that would combine the best tenets of period and contemporary design. House of Hackney has since amassed a cult following for its dramatic yet polished prints.

So, while these homegrown labels may appear to have more differences than similarities, their dedication to raising British design to new heights is a powerful unifier – and it will come as no surprise that their collaboration is as exuberant as it is elegant. Of course, outerwear was always going to be the zenith of this capsule, and it does not disappoint – reimagined in House of Hackney’s signature prints, Barbour’s most iconic coats and jackets feel like an utterly fresh proposition.

But while this deft blend of British heritage and modern talent was always going to get fashion fans hot under the collar, its innovative designs are also bona fide investment pieces, and the collection’s exquisite coats and jackets will have a cherished place in the closet for years to come. Let yours elevate blue jeans and a white tee on off-duty days; pair it with a summer dress and wellingtons for your next trip to Glastonbury; or enliven all-black outfits by opting for maximal florals. Whatever style you’re drawn to, these pieces guarantee endless milage.