BARBOUR'S GIRL

Alexa has been wearing the heritage brand’s overcoats for decades, so it seems fated the two should collaborate. The result comprises of seven jackets, three tote bags and a bucket hat, which marry the fundamentals of the 125-year-old heritage brand with Alexa’s IT girl flair. Colourful, considered and utterly wearable, the strength of each piece is a testament to how much this project meant to Chung.

"I’ve been wearing Barbour for as long as I can remember,” she gushes, “Growing up in Hampshire, a Barbour wax jacket was part of my trusty childhood uniform and the brand has been an integral part of my wardrobe ever since. I am always selective about the brands I collaborate with and often take months deciding whether to go ahead but when I first heard about the opportunity with Barbour it really was a no brainer – I was incredibly excited by the prospect."

ON BEING A BARBOUR SUPER FAN

The design process itself sounds like a dream for the Barbour super fan. Alexa was invited to explore the archives in South Shields at Barbour HQ before she began designing, "I was let loose into a room filled with every single Barbour piece through history – I was like a kid in a candy store rifling through all of these incredible pieces with such rich stories behind them." The experience was full of surprises, Alexa admits, "I love our patch jacket which is inspired by a retirement gift they made for a man who enjoyed all sorts of outdoor pursuits. Hearing about all the weird things left in the pockets of Barbour’s people turn in to be fixed was surprising! They’ve found dead sparrows and old Mars bars in there."

ON STYLING BARBOUR

In each of the jackets, there are special details that nod to Alexa’s personality, "I often turn up the sleeves of my Barbour because I tend to like the sleeves a bit shorter in the arm so you can show off the lining. One thing we have introduced in some of the styles are the clothing labels on the exterior yoke of the outerwear. The unique logo for the collaboration was taken from the archive, and reimagined in some cases with a natural, ochre background colour."

ON HER BARBOUR JACKET OF DREAMS

To say Chung enjoyed the experience is an understatement. Her passion has manifested itself into a collection both she and Barbour can be proud of. "I think just having my own version of a Barbour is really fun," she admits, "It feels so familiar to me, this brand, and so it’s been very enjoyable figuring out what my own bespoke collection would look like." In a sentence, she sums it all up; "Waxy dreams".

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Keen to invest in outerwear that stands the test of time? Then check out The Coat Calendar for a month to month guide of the best in show.