Nicholas Daley x Mulberry

Community. Craftsmanship. Culture. Those are the three pillars central to the ethos of designer Nicholas Daley. Through his work, Nicholas is constantly exploring and unpicking different strands of his heritage and identity in a way that feels wholly honest and authentic. Born in the Midlands to a Scottish mother and Jamaican father, and now based in London, Nicholas’ attention to detail, and the commitment to always produce work that feels true to himself has allowed him to carve out a niche in the world of fashion: the sincerity of his creations is unquestionable and it speaks to the new generation of Britain – the generation whose identities straddle different cultures and histories and whose commonality lies in the fact that we all call this green and pleasant land our home. All things considered, a collaboration between Mulberry and Nicholas Daley is a perfect constellation: the coming-together of a luxury leather brand that prides itself on the inimitable heritage of British craftsmanship, and a designer whose creations are anchored in the roots of our histories but which tell a new story of British culture, a story which is always evolving.

Reworking one of Mulberry’s classic bags, Nicholas has adapted the ‘Anthony’ blueprint to reflect inspirations found in the aesthetic of reggae, jazz and rock’n’roll musicians from the 60s and 70s, all the while staying true to his own identity by adding details which succinctly reflect his own heritage. In addition to the bags are beautifully-crafted leather hats, plectrum pouches, and instrument-straps (perhaps more unusual for a Mulberry range). To see the whole collection come together, modelled by multi award-winning musicians Shabaka Hutchings and Lianne La Havas, is to be transported into the visionary world of Nicholas Daley, underpinned by the iconic artisanship of Mulberry. Each item comes to life: beauty and utility running in tandem, without one compromising the other. During the design process, Nicholas was always conscious of creating a collection with musicians in mind, interpreting the task at hand ‘like problem-solving’. He recalls a recurring question that he’d ask himself: ‘How can I create this garment or this accessory which complements and elevates [the musician] but also has the freedom and the movement for these guys to do what they do best?’

Music has played a pivotal role in all of Nicholas’ work so far, not only in terms of inspiration but also as a medium through which to present his collections and so it felt like a natural approach to take with this Mulberry collaboration, as he sums up, ‘I think music for me just brings people together. It’s a unifying creative power and combining that with what I do in fashion and collaborating with some amazing talented artists - it’s just an incredible experience.’ The musical references help to set the scene, to create a feeling around the collection, whether it’s the fringing details reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix’s stage outfits, or the vibrant leather patchwork that nods to Miles Davis, and these details are propelled into this moment by Lianne La Havas and Shabaka Hutchings – our generation of musicians – who add their own personality to the collection. The way in which Nicholas presents his designs and collections unravels the fashion industry’s definition of a ‘model’ - his creations are not made for mannequins; the garments and accessories are made to be worn by people who can appreciate and make the most of every single detail, both from an aesthetic and functional point of view. They are not meant to be viewed in a static, two-dimensional way. Nicholas wants people to get a sense of how the collection feels, how it moves, how it sculpts the bodies and personas of those who wear it.

The Mulberry x Nicholas Daley collection pays respectful homage to past musical legends whilst remaining earnest. It embodies important cultural and historical references, whilst exuding contemporary relevance. Nicholas may have designed the collection with musicians in mind, but at the essence of it is an acknowledgment of a wider community that we are all a part of. Each item tells a story, and is a story waiting to be told. The beauty of leather lies in its longevity, in the fact that it moulds and changes over time. Leather doesn’t grow old – it is timeless. For a designer such as Nicholas Daley, whose work forges links between the past and present, and celebrates culture and community whilst looking to the future, collaborating with a quintessential leather brand like Mulberry feels only natural. Working together, their craftsmanship adds something very special to the cultural patchwork of 21st Century Britain.

Creative Director Nicholas Daley
Photographer & Director Samuel Bradley
Stylist Stephen Mann
Director of Photography Eoin McLoughlin
Talent Lianne La Havas
Talent Shabaka Hutchings
Production Company LG Studio