This season, an eye-catching miniature paisley pattern enlivens classic styles across the men’s Authentic collection. Originally used in Iranian and Indian design, the twisted tear drop pattern made its way to British shores by way of travelers and soldiers during the early 19th century. Men would return from foreign lands with patterned gifts, woven in rich silks and cashmere. 

Paisley Print Oxford Shirt - click here to view

Noting the popularity of the exotic designs, British textile merchants were eager to reproduce the patterns closer to home. The town of Paisley in Scotland, which was famed for its textile manufacturing (and incidentally had been home to the Stewart family, after which Stewart tartan is named), became a key producer of the design which fittingly adopted the town’s name. In the early days paisley fabrics were intricately produced on weaving looms, however this timely system was soon dropped in favour of printing. The new speedy and cost effective production methods led many designers to use the distinctive tear drop design in their work and in turn cemented its place in British design.

Paisley Print Shirt - click here to view.

The pattern was notably favoured by the mods during the 1960s and famously made its way onto the iconic Fender Telecaster guitar during the 1970s.

Modernised and simplified for spring 2013, the geometric pattern looks striking printed across the three button shirt and the woven Oxford style. The small scale two-colour teardrops create an almost polka dot effect when viewed from a distance, adding flashes of maroon and yellow to blue based fabrics. Elsewhere in the collection it brings a distinctive edge to both footwear and accessories.

The Spring 2013 men's Authentic Collection is available online and in Authentic shops now.

For Spring/Summer 2013, our women's Laurel Wreath Collection takes inspiration from 1950s British youth culture - teddy girl tailoring combines with a bold use of pattern to bring new direction to classic pieces.

Floral Print Cardigan and Fred Perry Shirt - click here to view the collection.

Print is key - vintage florals are abstracted and darkened, beautiful silk blend prints feminise solid black knits and the three button shirt. A mostly monochromatic palette is mellowed with tones of golden yellow and hazy blue. 

Accessories have been reworked for spring, with ostrich effect high-shine leather and rose gold coloured hardware bringing a sophisticated feel to classic styles. A new selection of footwear completes the look - key styles include the Lyttleton patent leather loafer, topped with tassels and finished with a seamed moccasin detail around the toe. 

The Spring 2013 women's Laurel Wreath Collection is available online and in our Laurel Wreath Collection shops now.

Spring 2013 sees the launch of a collection of contemporary interpretations of some of our most iconic, sports inspired pieces. The Capsule Sportswear Collection combines a sharp, modernist silhouette with traditional performance fabrics; accented by bold pops of colour taken from our early sportswear catalogues.

The classic Fred Perry shirt has given a 21st century makeover. Maintaining its clean lines, a laser cut bonded pocket has been added to the chest, fastening with a streamlined reverse coil zip. Laser cut eyelets under the arms combine with a sports mesh lining for a technical feel, whilst a specially designed silicone Laurel Wreath print completes the look.

Traditional crew neck sweats have been modernised with concealed zip pockets, and overdyed in vintage hues. Elsewhere in the collection, a lightweight and innovative technical Harrington jacket has been crafted in a special metal infused yarn. Finished with a waterproof zip fastening and functioning back vent; this key jacket style is a seamless blend of form and function.

The Capsule Sportswear Collection is available now, online and in our Authentic shops.