Guardians of British Fashion Heritage

— It’s a pleasure to meet you. We’re an online magazine called OPENERS.

I hear Mihara (Mr. Yasuiro Mihara) is involved with OPENERS. I had dinner with him the day before yesterday. He’s a great guy. He even visits me in Newcastle, and we’ve become very close personally.

— What’s the key to your outfit today, Nigel?

There’s no particular ‘key’. What’s important to me is comfort. I’m always wearing vintage military trousers with an outerwear piece that suits me.
I often wear clothes from my friend’s brand, 'MARGARET HOWELL'. I like their understated designs.

— You’re also good friends with Mr. Paul Smith, aren’t you?

That’s right. Paul Smith and I worked together in the 70s. He, Margaret Howell, and I are from the same generation, and I think our views on fashion and life are quite similar.
Margaret also designs pieces based on the British military peacoat. Actually, Paul Smith and I have known each other since 1973, when he was handling sales for my brand.
Around 1979, he gave me a unique military piece as a gift. I thought it was interesting, and that’s how I started collecting vintage wear, which I’ve been doing for 30 years now (laughs).



— 30 years! That’s incredible.

I buy a lot in Paris flea markets, in London, and also in Japan. Wherever I go, I make sure to set aside time for hunting for clothes (laughs).
It must be close to 4,000 items over 30 years. I reckon it’s worth about 200 million yen.

— You could create a collection book! How do you store them?

I store them neatly folded like shirts in my studio. Recently, my daughter, who is studying photography, has been taking pictures of them for me, including the details.
I have military, outdoor, and sports items, but I cherish British military vintage clothing the most. Vintage outerwear, in particular, is very important to me.

— You’re famously known for the image of “Nigel = Military,” aren’t you?

Of course, I love the military wear actually worn during World War I and World War II, but I also deeply respect Sir Edmund Hillary and his climbing team, who successfully summited Everest for the first time in 1953, and the British Formula 1 World Champion of 1958, Mike Hawthorn. They are very important heroes to me. I especially love the image of the clothing they wore.



— In 2003, you released a remarkable limited collection to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sir Hillary’s Everest ascent, didn’t you?

You remember that well. I collect books on mountains and mountaineering from 1910 to 1955. I have many great photos from that era, featuring figures like Robert Scott of the British Antarctic Expedition and George Mallory, who attempted Everest in the 20s. They provide me with great inspiration.
I always respect their strong spirit of adventure and their courageous challenging spirit. Many of the adventurers of that time were military men, and the way they further customized high-performance military uniforms to challenge the extreme is incredibly fascinating.

— That leads to the 'AUTHENTIC LINE' you've launched, which brings together only the strongest products with no compromises, doesn't it?

Great! Exactly.

— Then, next time, we’d like to ask about your own collection.



Nigel Cabourn
OUTER LIMITS
Tel. 03-5457-5631
http://www.outerlimits.co.jp/
http://www.cabourn.jp/