february-2012

[ style icons ]
BARBOUR
FOUNDED IN 1894 BY
John Barbour, a Scot from
Galloway, Barbour established
itself in the burgeoning port
of South Shields in the North
East of England by supplying
oilskins and other waterproof
other garments to protect the
growing community of sailors,
fishermen and dockers.
British to the core, these
first weatherproof items
quickly established Barbour’s
reputation for innovation and
quality. Well known for waxed,
quilted country jackets worn
by landowners and farmers,
Barbour’s commitment to
functional work wear was
realised during both world
wars as it was called upon to
produce weatherproof outdoor
clothing for the military.
Barbour’s Ursula suit
became standard issue for
members of the Submarine
Service in World War II
and in 1936, Barbour created
the iconic wax cotton
international motorcycle
suit which was worn
by virtually every rider
on the International Six Day
Trials circuit from the 1950s
to the 1970s, including actor
Steve McQueen in 1964.
“In the 60s, Barbour was
strongly involved in the world
of motorcycling,” explains
Barbour’s marketing director
Gary Burnand. “John's
grandson, Duncan Barbour
was a keen motorcyclist and
a regular at the Isle of Man
TT races. From the mid 30s
to the mid 70s the majority
of the world’s national trials
teams wore the Barbour
International jacket and
trousers. It was seen as the
best kit for the job.”
By this time, Barbour
had become a dedicated
28 WIZZ MAGAZINE // FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012
CLOCKWISE
FROM TOP LEFT:
R&B STARS MR
HUDSON AND
PLAN B, AMERICAN
SOCIALITE OLIVIA
PALERMO.
RIGHT: THE
NORTHUMBRIAN
TRENCH QUILT
JACKET IN MINK
manufacturer of branded
goods and received its first
Royal Warrant, issued by
the Duke of Edinburgh (1974).
Royal Warrants by Her Majesty
The Queen (1982) and HRH
the Prince of Wales (1987)
soon followed.
According to Burnand,
“British Royal endorsements
are seen a seal of approval and
quality especially in the US and
Asian markets, such as Japan
and China. We are lucky to be
one of only seven companies to
hold all three Royal warrants
(Land Rover being another).”
In the 1980s, the chairman
Margaret Barbour, since
honoured as a Dame, designed
the three wax jackets that
would make the brand a
household name – the Bedale,
the Beaufort and the Border.
These jackets, especially the
Border, epitomised the growing
trend for casual clothing as
people’s leisure time increased.
The jackets also struck a chord
with celebrity, crossing age and
genres, and have been spotted
in the last year a full range of
names. Prince William, indie
band the Arctic Monkeys,
actors Daniel Day Lewis and
Ewan McGregor, English R&B
musician Mr Hudson, singer
Rufus Wainright and TV
presenter Alexa Chung cover
the entire celebrity spectrum.
“We have increased our
product ranges in recent
seasons and offer a lot more
that appeals to a younger
mindset. That said, what
they tend to be focusing on
is heritage, vintage looks and
classic pieces that can then
be styled and worn in their
own way,” says Burnand.
“When we launched our
GETTY/REX/BARBOUR