The Sam Fender Collection SS21: Q&A

Bringing together Barbour International’s ties to the music industry, and the northeast, the Sam Fender Edit presents a collection brimming with style. With pieces designed alongside Sam Fender himself, the range is distinctly youthful and vibrant, but with Barbour International’s classic style weaved throughout.

To learn more about the collection, we caught up with Sam to talk all things style, Barbour International and music. We also spoke with our Head of Clothing Andy McMillan to hear more about the design process and creating the collection with Sam.

Q&A with Sam Fender

We’ve joined you for the launch of your first Barbour International x Sam Fender Collection at Vinyl Guru in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne. You must have some fond memories of visiting independent music stores in the UK?

Sam: My godfather, who I’m very close to, used to work in a record store called Spin in town - so I’ve got fond memories of being a kid and me and my Dad going to see him. I would go in and see Barry and it was the smell of the place and all of the old vinyl, and you know, all of the dusty second-hand ones. I love that smell. But I grew up in the generation that didn’t buy as much physical music which is a shame but I still love rifling through vinyl.

What has been your most treasured vinyl find?

Sam: One of my most treasured vinyl, although not really a find is one that me Mam gave me. She gave me a couple of singles she had from being a kid so I’ve got this one from The Stranglers and it’s all messed up and rough. I can imagine my Mam as a teenager putting it on and listening to it in her room. That’s probably my favourite.

Did anyone influence your music buying decisions growing up?

Sam: My Brother and my Dad. My brother Liam got me into Nirvana, Jeff Buckley and Oasis and all of the first bands that kinda kicked me off.

Did anyone influence your music buying decisions growing up?

Sam: My Brother and my Dad. My brother Liam got me into Nirvana, Jeff Buckley and Oasis and all of the first bands that kinda kicked me off.

How do you think the music industry has changed over the last year?

Sam: Well - there hasn’t been any gigs. I don’t think there has really been much movement within the industry in the last year, but it’s been a good time to write.

Which artists are you most excited to see perform live once more and to hear new music from?

Sam: I’ve never seen Big Thief and they’re one of my favourite bands so I really want to see them live. I’d love to see Sharon Van Etten and The War on Drugs. These are all bands that I love and haven’t seen.

Are there any unsigned artists we should be aware of?

Sam: A Festival a Parade are absolutely fantastic. Brooke Bentham is amazing and Heidi Curtis.

The Barbour International X Sam Fender Collection

We’re very excited to launch your first ever Barbour International x Sam Fender collection. What does this Barbour International collection mean to you?

Sam: When I was skint living at my Mams I didn’t have many clothes and I used to have patched up trash jeans. At the time my mate Paul - (who was older than me and used to run buskers nights) gave me one of his Barbour jackets - he had two and he said: “this one looks good on you”. I always think back to getting that coat when I was a kid from my mate, it meant a lot to me. I’ve had a soft spot for Barbour ever since.

How did you find working alongside the Barbour International design team?

Sam: It was amazing. I don’t really have the foggiest of what I am doing - I like clothes but I wouldn’t say I know that much about them, so it was great to have an eye into the world of how its designed and made and be involved. I really enjoyed the process, and the range that we’ve produced I absolutely adore.

What did you enjoy most when adding your design input?

Sam: I loved working with the team and then getting Neal Fox involved and making the embroidered piece.

What are your favourite products in the collection?

Sam: I love it all but my favourite is the embroidered tee definitely. The Seagull piece feels so personal. I wanted a seagull that looked like it’s from Shields nicking an ice cream. I feel like that embodies where I’m from in a humorous way.

What is your personal style?

Sam: I’d say comfy, I like laid back style. I want to feel comfortable but look good.

Is there anything you have learned from this process that you will take into your own work?

Sam: That you don’t need to be a certain type of person to wear Barbour. You can do what you want - and don’t take yourself too seriously.

Andy, what were your initial thoughts about creating the Barbour International collection with Sam Fender?

Andy: As a brand, we have a natural connection with Sam as a successful artist from the North East. That combined with the positive response to Sam in some social campaigns for Barbour International we ran it seemed too good an opportunity to miss.

Can you talk us through the design process for creating the collection?

Andy: Sam gave an initial idea of the type of things he was inspired by and things he liked. I then gathered sample garments, fabric and colour samples. Sam was working on new material but managed to fit in a meeting at his studio.

How would you describe the Sam Fender edit in three words?

Andy: Modern, Colourful, Youthful.

What was the most important thing you wanted the collection to say/represent?

Andy: The number one objective was to create a capsule Sam would be happy to wear and not just for promotional reasons. This is why there are directional silhouettes that push the boundaries for Barbour International.

What were the challenges when blending Barbour International’s rich heritage, with Sam’s style and originality?

Andy: Whenever we create collections, we have to be mindful of how this reflects on the brand and its heritage. This was a challenge as Sam had certain key elements that maybe don’t naturally sit with what people may expect from the brand. This is always the most exciting thing for any co-lab, the outside influence on an established brand and the opportunity to push what the brand can do.

Can you tell us the story behind the seagull embroidery?

Andy: This was one of those elements Sam was incredibly keen to inject into the range a feeling of youth and fun. The artist used, designs a lot of promotional artwork for Sam, which often depicts a comical look at localisms. Based by the coast and fish quay, the seagull is something that dominates the local landscape.

There are colours in the collection we don’t always see for Barbour International. What was the inspiration behind the colour palette in the collection?

Andy: Sam was keen to have a nod to his beloved Newcastle United. So looking at his favourite kits he highlighted the classic away strip from the 95/96 season worn by the legend David Ginola. The colours used (Aubergine & Navy) formed the base of the colour palette, then we lighted the range adding off white and light pink.

Tell us about the accessories featured in this collection.

Andy: Accessories help to give the collection a unique look and feel – finish the look off. The main item Sam was keen on - as he wears them all the time, was the 5-panel cap.

What makes the collection perfect for the spring/summer season?

Andy: I think the relaxed fit Tees and wide-leg Trousers & Shorts give a very laid-back summer feel to the range. The light colours – Ecru and Pink are perfect for summer and are seen as key trend colours this Season.

Discover more about our campaign with Sam Fender, or shop the collection to find your perfect style.