Artists always sign their work
Hiut are a company with a singular focus. They make jeans. Their approach emphasises timeless design, high-quality, low-impact materials, and meticulous attention to detail, with each pair made to order. The compelling story behind their brand is one of revival and community spirit, rooted deep in the town of Cardigan, West Wales.
Before 2002, Cardigan was home to the Dewhirst denim factory, which was, at the time, Britain’s largest, producing 35,000 pairs of jeans a week for retailers like Marks & Spencer. However, in a cost-cutting exercise, the factory was closed, leaving 400 skilled individuals without work.
Fast forward to 2012, and the Hiut Denim Company was launched by David and Clare Hieatt with a clear mission: to bring those manufacturing jobs and that heritage back to Cardigan. They successfully drew their team from the highly-skilled craftspeople already in the town.
Hiut excels at promoting their brand through the authentic stories and personalities integral to its success. A prime example is their celebration of the ’Grandmasters’ who meticulously craft each pair of jeans by hand, from start to finish. Intriguingly, each Grandmaster signs their work. While this serves a practical purpose, streamlining the repairs process if a customer sends jeans back, it also tells a far more profound and sharable story. It powerfully reframes jeans production as an art form, deeply celebrating the individual craft, quality, and pride embedded in every single product.
See their artisan approach here
Image © Hiut Denim Co.
Tune in to the colouring channel
When was the last time you truly lost yourself in something, just for the pure joy of it? For many of us, that might have been years ago, perhaps with a colouring book and a fresh set of pens. Ali’s books and YouTube channel are a wonderful reminder of that long-lost feeling – the simple, immersive magic of colouring between the lines.
Ali is a creator who designs ‘Satisfying Patterns’, colouring books with beautifully simple, repeating designs. She’s tapped into the immediate, obvious benefit to immersing yourself in such a focused task: it’s a fantastic way to switch off, de-stress, and find a sense of calm that can actually prepare your mind for more involved activities.
But what truly captivated us were the videos themselves. It’s not just about the act of colouring; it’s the hypnotic rhythm of one panel being filled after another, the subtle sound of the pen on paper, and the sheer satisfaction of watching colours bring a page to life. Who knew something as simple as mark-making could be so incredibly addictive and quietly profound? It’s a testament to the power of finding focus in the small details.
Explore Ali's ‘Satisfying Patterns’ here
Image © its.ali.xo
The writing’s on the dress
No. 13 was perhaps one of the late, great fashion designer, Alexander McQueen’s most emotional and moving collections. If we were to unpick a hundred inspirations and insights from his work, this particular example would always make it to the top of the list.
The moment Shalom Harlow’s dress was spray-painted by robots at the end of the Spring/Summer 1999 show has etched itself into fashion history as one of the most memorable catwalk finales ever. As a master storyteller and someone who profoundly understood his audience, McQueen’s sense of theatre was truly thrilling. The build-up to that finale felt mysterious, surprising, and just on the edge of being out-of-control. The simple act of making a mark instantly became visceral and overwhelming, precisely because of the breathtaking choreography of the entire piece. The relationship between the precision of the robots’ movement and the fluid grace of the model is mesmerising; you simply can’t take your eyes off them as they co-create that unique design on her dress.
What made this moment so powerful was its audacious, experimental nature. It’s a brilliant example of how seemingly disparate inspirations can converge to create an altogether more ambitious concept and execution. McQueen wasn’t afraid to collide the traditional artistry of the Arts and Crafts movement with cutting-edge technology. The result wasn’t just a dress; it was a spectacular and unique demonstration of raw creative ambition, proving that combining unexpected inspirations can lead to truly exciting and unforgettable spectacles.
Image © Alexander McQueen Trading Ltd.