Erdem Turns To Barbour To Craft A Jacket Fit For A Duchess

Practicality isn’t exactly the first word that comes to mind when thinking about the romance that has come to define designer Erdem Moralioglu’s work. His eponymous label has long blurred the lines between ready-to-wear and couture inspired by mid-century glamour icons like Maria Callas. It might come as a surprise then that the brand’s latest collaboration is with British heritage brand Barbour.

For their S/S 24 collection, inspired by the late Duchess of Devonshire Deborah Cavendish, Erdem teamed up with Barbour to craft a showpiece celebrating the fashion icons' love of the great outdoors. Looking to the master couturiers who would have dressed Cavendish, Erdem reworked Barbour’s signature waxed cotton into a trapeze opera coat.

‘My work has always been about creating pieces with a human hand and I felt there was real synergy in our approach to craftsmanship. It was wonderful to collaborate with a brand with such an extraordinary history,’ says Erdem Moralioglu in the press release.

Featuring a wide, open neckline, the decidedly feminine silhouette juxtaposes the practical details that are indicative of Barbour’s heritage designs. This includes long sleeves with turned-up cuffs showcasing an old-world gingham check. With layering in mind, the couture-inspired design features a detachable quilted gilet swathed in antique floral linens and cotton.

‘The brand's ageless and timeless approach to craftsmanship and quality are synonymous with Barbour and we are delighted to start what I am sure will be a long friendship between the two brands’, explained Barbour’s head of womenswear Nicola Brown. If this piece is just a teaser of what’s to come, let’s hope it’s a promise the two are ready to keep.

The Erdem x Barbour jacket is available now at erdem.com and selected retailers.