Fashion retailer FatFace is working with the National Forest on a 2023 spring clothing range.
The National Forest collection includes designs and prints based on the wildlife, flora and the industrial heritage of the 200 square mile woodland which stretches from Derbyshire to Leicestershire and Staffordshire. Much of the land covers the region’s former coalfields.
The clothes feature hand-sketched florals, whimsical prints and styles designed by FatFace’s in-house artists and designers.
The collection includes women’s, men’s and children’s clothes available online and in FatFace stores and featuring imagery shot on location at Feanedock Woodlands on the Leicestershire/Derbyshire border.
The collaboration also celebrates the National Forest’s partnership with FatFace, which began in 2021, and which saw 60,000 trees planted at their Minorca Woods site near Swadlincote to help capture carbon and highlights the fashion company’s commitment to the environment.
A forest spokeswoman said: “Sustainability has also been considered in the creation of the collection, with clothing made from responsibly sourced cotton and prints created digitally, giving greater depth of colour, whilst reducing water consumption and wastage of materials.
“Pieces from the collection include a floral midi dress, which boasts bright woodland florals, a leaf printed shirt and a wildlife inspired t-shirt, featuring illustrations such as a barn owl, noctule bat and stag beetle.”
FatFace product director Kate Brown said: “We are delighted to have collaborated with the National Forest on this incredible range.
“Our partnership started a few years ago as a key cornerstone of our sustainability strategy and we were so inspired by everything we saw in the forest and learned about its heritage; we felt a product collaboration was an exciting next step.
“The collection draws from the mining heritage of The National Forest using workwear influenced styling, balanced with the beauty of nature returning to the heart of our country.
“The prints are hand drawn and completely unique, and we were determined to create the range as responsibly as we can while still delivering the perfect fit and quality for our customers.”
John Everitt, chief executive of the National Forest Company, said: “Partnering with FatFace on this new clothing range demonstrates our shared commitment to sustainability and quality. From trees and carbon to biodiversity and wellbeing, the partnership is literally growing from strength to strength.
“And through this collection we are excited to have such a well-loved brand as FatFace tell the story of the National Forest to a much wider audience – demonstrating how we have turned this place from black to green and are creating a sustainable destination for more people to come and be inspired.”
