Nigel Cabourn’s new fashion collection commemorates a historic Mount Everest tragedy – but the prices may leave many feeling chilled to the bone.
The limited-edition range, from the North East-based designer, marks 100 years since the Tragedy of Everest, a 1924 expedition where climbers George Mallory and Andrew “Sandy” Irvine mysteriously vanished.
But the prices of garments in the collection maybe out of reach for many fashion fans struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
A goose down-filled Everest parka is on sale for a staggering £2,995. The cheapest item in the collection is the Mallory pant at £700, and is the only piece from the collection below four figures.
Image credit: Alamy
The pieces are inspired by clothes worn by mountaineers of that era with some garments named after those on the expedition. These include the Mallory pant, Morshead smock and Sandy Irvine jacket.
For example the Finch parka is influenced by a jacket mountaineer George Finch would wear “in nearly every photographic reference from the time”.
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This collection is not the brand’s first experiment with more limited drops, being the fifth in a series of launches from 2003-2018 respectively. The pieces in this exclusive capsule are made from the highest quality materials (as one would expect from the price tag), such as British-made Ventile, ethically sourced goose down, coyote fur and sheepskin, and 100% pure wool.
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Fashion North’s top three favourite items from the collection include the Finch parka in olive (£1995), the Mallory pant in grey check (£700)and the Sandy Irvine jacket in grey flannel (£700).
But fashion fans who love the collection but can’t afford to buy the pieces, Fashion North has hunted down some high-street alternatives.
These are the Utilitas hooded parka (£28) from Adidas, these wide leg wool trousers (£28.50) from ASOS and this double breasted overcoat (£90) from French Connection.
Image credit: House of Frasers
Cabourn’s regular offerings are on the much more affordable end of the pricing spectrum, with most jackets ranging from £150 – £300 and most trousers £120 – £220. For those not willing to part with that much, Cabourn’s designs are inspired by vintage military garments which can frequently be found at second hand shops and military surplus stores such as Genuine Army Surplus in Darlington.
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This collection no doubt showcases Cabourn’s talents as a designer with his charming vintage aesthetic shining through every piece in the collection but with prices skyrocketing from Cabourn’s usual offerings and the ever present cost of living crisis, one question is on our lips; is now really the time for £3000 jackets?
