You’d be hard-pressed to find two art forms that differ more than tartan and graffiti. One has historically been associated with Britain’s upper middle class, landowners and wine cellars, while the other is rooted in counter-culture, rap music and concrete walls. On face value, they’re worlds apart. But some people believe opposites attract – and it appears that END. and Barbour are very much of this opinion…
As part of END.’s 20th anniversary celebrations, Barbour’s legendary Solway Jacket has been handed to Harlem-born artist Shaun Crawford for reinterpretation. First introduced in the 1960s, the Solway was built for motorcyclists and country sportsmen, admired for its durability, practicality, and the patina it developed. Crawford, meanwhile, emerged from 1990s New York graffiti culture, developing a practice that spans painting, sculpture, dyeing, embroidery and textile innovation.
His work observes the relationship between graffiti’s fleeting nature versus its lasting cultural impact – and he’s applied that approach to collaborations with Supreme, Arc’teryx and now Barbour.
For the Solway Re-Loved project, Crawford made himself at home in Barbour’s South Shields factory, where the jacket has been produced and repaired for generations. Over three days, he managed to transform the heritage staple into a one-of-a-kind punk amalgamation: leather panels inspired by vintage track tops, a faux ocelot collar and hardware details that shift the cult classic into new territory. The result is both familiar and disruptive – heritage outerwear seen through the lens of New York street culture.
It’s a truly unique partnership, taking a jacket that started life amongst shotguns and spaniels and reconfiguring it as a one-off statement piece, carrying the marks of both its birthplace in the North East of England and Crawford’s own New York roots. Heritage meets rebellion. Wax cotton meets cold-water dye. Graffiti meets gundogs.
The Shaun Crawford x Barbour Solway Jacket will be available exclusively through END. To celebrate the launch, END. Soho will host a talk with Crawford and Gary Janes on Thursday 4th September, offering behind-the-scenes insight into the project, alongside campaign film screenings and an in-store build showcasing Barbour Heritage+ and the Solway Re-Loved initiative.
Tickets will be available via END. Features and EventBrite from Friday 29th August.
Find out more here.
