For his second season with NEWGEN, Nicholas Daley presents ‘RED CLAY’: a collection that focuses on the alternate history of tweed and its assimilation into jazz culture. Nicholas began his creative process by finding harmony between two contrasting images: one of a Scottish Shetland farmer wearing a tweed baker boy hat and a photo of Miles Davis taken almost 100 years later, wearing the same style of hat. This parallel draws upon Nicholas’ Scottish heritage and his families’ connection to the textile industry.
Having previously explored tartan and jute, Nicholas’ extensive research led him to speak with Professor Jonathan Faiers about the complex history of tweed, its usage and its impact upon popular culture. This dialogue initiated the collection’s concept and underlined Nicholas’ inclination of juxtaposing narratives.
Expanding his existing relationship with British manufacturing, Nicholas has developed a bespoke herringbone tweed with Scottish fabric mill Lovat; widely recognised as the birthplace of tweed. As with past seasons, Nicholas has collaborated with the established milliners Christys’ to craft custom baker boy and pork pie hats. He has also worked with the acclaimed Northampton shoemakers George Cox on two bespoke styles.