‘The Survivalist’ embodies a new yet traditional look on men’s outerwear. Inspired by my late Grandfather’s career in the Royal Navy where he spent time on warships and submarines in harsh climates, and as a prisoner of war in Germany in The Second World War. Inspired by both traditional naval clothing and contemporary technical outerwear, I wanted to create a collection that merges heritage with modernity. The silhouettes of the outfits, with their cropped jackets and high-waisted trousers, add a feminine edge to the looks. This contrasts with the more masculine look derived from the oversized fit and extreme high necks of the jumpers. The colour palette was created by combining classic military shades and brighter tones, establishing a more contemporary feel to the palette. The original prints selected – the personal archived imagery of Navy ships and the nature of the South Downs national park – were selected to represent both the dualistic elements of the collection’s concept. Having grown up in the countryside and near the coast, nature has always had a strong influence on my creative vision, which has lead to an interest in designing outerwear. With military clothing being the source of inspiration for many of my projects, being able to link such a personal story to this creates a particularly unique collection.