Barbour

Student Onboarding Day💚   Last week, our placement students came together with Jen, our Learning & Development Manager for our student onboarding day. Through a series of activities and workplace scenarios, our students gained valuable insight into the world of work and the skills needed to succeed. Key topics included building their own personal brand and action planning for the months ahead.   We also welcomed two former placement students, Emily & Kirsty, who shared their own placement experiences at Barbour, offering advice, tips and reflections on their career journeys.   The day provided a fantastic opportunity for students to connect and meet other students, develop a deeper understanding of life in the workplace, and how to get the most our of their year at Barbour.

✨ Ever wondered what a student placement at Barbour looks like?   Join Poppy, our UK&I Visual Merchandising Student, as she gives us a glimpse into her day, from store visits and creative planning to collaborating on projects with fellow students and teams across the business.   Take a look behind the scenes to discover what life in Visual Merchandising at Barbour is really like!

Last week, Barbour took its place on the official British Fashion Council London Fashion Week schedule, transforming the Saatchi Gallery with Tartan Reimagined: The Barbour Way.   Visitors journeyed through immersive galleries celebrating our heritage, the winners of our Tartan Reimagined competition with the British Fashion Council, and our Re-Loved initiative, including live re-waxing and jacket restoration.   From heritage to innovation, the experience showcased how Barbour continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.

In Conversation with Sara Davies 💙   Last week, Emily and Amber from our Talent Acquisition team were thrilled to attend Smart Works North East most recent event, In Conversation with Sara Davies MBE.   The evening provided the opportunity to hear Sara's inspiring journey first-hand, with valuable insights on leadership and resilience. Sara also shared the realities of balancing business and family life and the lessons she's learned throughout her career.   A huge thank you to Smart Works North East for hosting such a memorable event and for the incredible work they do to help women succeed and thrive in the workplace. ✨

We’re immensely proud of our Barbour colleagues who took part in the iconic AJ Bell Great North Run this year. With the 13.1 mile route taking runners from Newcastle to our birthplace in South Shields, the Great North Run is always a particularly special event for us.   Whether raising money for charity or simply taking on the challenge, our colleagues showed great determination and commitment throughout the day, making a real difference to different causes close to their hearts.   It was a brilliant effort from everyone involved, supported by the incredible atmosphere and encouragement from spectators along the route.   Well done to everyone who took part, and roll on next year!🎖️🏃♂️

Tartan Reimagined: The Barbour Way   This September, Barbour is taking over Saatchi Gallery as part of the official British Fashion Council London Fashion Week schedule - bringing 130 years of British heritage, craftsmanship and innovation to one of London’s most iconic cultural spaces. Tartan Reimagined: The Barbour Way continues the story first explored through Barbour’s AW25 London Fashion Week celebration, putting the brand’s distinctive family sett and Scottish roots at the heart of an immersive exhibition. Across the ground floor of Saatchi Gallery, visitors will journey through Barbour’s past, present and future, from the origins of John Barbour’s journey from Kirkcudbrightshire to South Shields in 1894, through the craftsmanship behind the AW26 collection, to new interpretations of tartan created by the next generation of designers. The exhibition will also spotlight Barbour Re-Loved, celebrating the skilled craftspeople who clean, repair and re-wax jackets to give them a new chapter. Alongside Re-Loved creations and collaborations with names including Gucci, Erdem, Glastonbury x Oxfam, Paul Smith and Aardman. And perhaps most importantly, the experience demonstrates how a heritage brand can continue to evolve without losing sight of where it came from. 📍 Saatchi Gallery, London Friday 18 September | 12pm–9pm Saturday 19 September | 10am–6pm The exhibition is open to the public and tickets are available via Saatchi Gallery.

Our exclusive Barbour tartans have their own story to tell. For AW26, we follow along on a new journey to rediscover the people, beauty and heart of the land that continues to inspire us today. Join our characters played by Sir Idris Elba and Sienna Miller as they head to the Pentland Hills, where a simple mix up over identically named pubs sends them on separate adventures through the countryside.

Paul Smith loves Barbour   Barbour and Paul Smith are proud to announce the launch of their third collaboration. The 38-piece capsule explores the traditions and spirit of the Scottish Highland Games through a playful interpretation of British country dressing. Balancing Barbour's outdoor heritage with Paul Smith's signature use of colour and wit, the collaboration once again brings together two distinct perspectives to create a collection of classic outerwear with a twist.   Central to this season's collection is Paul Smith's reimagining of two of Barbour's Original and Authentic Tartans; Classic Tartan and Muted Tartan. Reworked with Paul Smith's iconic bold use of colour, it brings a fresh perspective to Barbour's heritage set. Outerwear remains a focus of the collaboration with some of Barbour's most iconic silhouettes reimagined through new fabrications and seasonal colourways. The wider collection builds on the collaboration's narrative through knitwear, shirting, accessories and footwear.

What employers are really looking for 🌟   Last week, our Global Director of HR & Site Services, Lynn, and Circularity Student (25/26), Addie, were delighted to contribute to BBC News’ discussion on the essential skills employers are looking for in today’s workplace.   From communication and problem-solving to collaboration and a willingness to keep learning, the skills that matter go far beyond a CV. Lynn shared how, when recruiting, we look for transferable skills and how candidates have demonstrated them through their experiences. Addie reflected on her experience as a student and placement with Barbour, highlighting how collaboration plays an important role in bringing different teams together.   It was a great conversation and an important reminder that developing the skills needed for the future of work is a shared responsibility between individuals, education and employers.   Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eh4iME_J

The countdown to the AJ Bell Great North Run is officially on!   Across the business, some of our colleagues will be completing final preparations to take part in the world’s biggest half marathon, the AJ Bell Great North Run which takes place on 13 September. They will be joining over 60,000 runners as they tackle the world-famous route from Newcastle to South Shields.   This year, some of our team members are running to raise vital funds and awareness for our corporate partner, Smart Works North East, while others are taking part in support of a range of fantastic charities close to their hearts.   We're incredibly proud of everyone taking part and the commitment they've shown so far. We wish them all the very best of luck as race day approaches!