Tartan Reimagined: The Barbour Way
18 - 19 September
Book Now Admission: Book a free ticket for entry. Suggested donation of £2Located on the Ground Floor in Galleries 1, 2, 3 & 4.
About
Tartan Reimagined: The Barbour Way invites visitors to step inside the story of one of Britain’s most enduring heritage brands through an immersive exhibition created exclusively for London Fashion Week at Saatchi Gallery. Drawing on the Barbour family’s rich Scottish roots and 130-year history, the exhibition explores how tradition can be continually reimagined for a modern audience and the enduring utility of tartan, the design code that has been present right from the start of the brand.
Taking over the Ground Floor galleries at Saatchi, the exhibition centres on Barbour’s distinctive family tartan, a design code that has become synonymous with the brand and remains a thread connecting its past, present and future. Through a series of immersive spaces, visitors will journey from the Barbour family’s origins in South West Scotland and founder John Barbour’s move to South Shields in 1894, to the craftsmanship, creativity and innovation that continue to define the brand today.
A celebration of craftsmanship sits at the heart of the experience. The final galleries showcase Barbour’s commitment to longevity and circular fashion through its Re-Loved initiative, featuring one-of-a-kind pieces created in collaboration with leading cultural and fashion partners including Gucci, Erdem, Paul Smith, Glastonbury x Oxfam and Aardman. Visitors will also have a rare opportunity to see a live recreation of Barbour’s South Shields factory, where expert craftspeople demonstrate the repairing, rewaxing and remaking techniques that help extend the life of Barbour garments.
Bringing together heritage, fashion, craft and contemporary creativity, The Barbour Way: Tartan Reimagined offers a unique insight into the evolution of a British icon. Whether you’re a long-time admirer of the brand, a fashion enthusiast or simply curious about the stories woven into British design, this special London Fashion Week exhibition provides an engaging and immersive experience for all.
The public exhibition will be open for a limited time:
Friday 18 September, 12pm – 9pm
Saturday 19 September, 10am – 6pm
