“These are the only pieces I will ever need in my wardrobe”, Discover the Dugdale Bros Tailoring Award Winner
An Interview with the winner of the Tailoring Award 2026, Supported by Dugdale Brothers: Barnaby Walls from Bath Spa University.
Barnaby Walls is a Fashion Design graduate at Bath Spa University, originally from Oxford. He has developed a passion specifically for the tailoring process and producing a strong character-driven collection over the course of his studies. His creative process begins with inspiratio; taking from a particular period in history, a literary work or a specific film with an imagined character living in said theme. He then explores the relative mood, colour, fabric, energy, and form to represent this collection of ideas. He works from a block with pattern paper using calico as a tester and prefers this physical process to digitally aided pattern cutting: “a slower work but more authentic to me”.
“The panel of Dugdale Bros and tailors were the loveliest people. They were so easy to talk to and from my case, no criticism involved, they shone a a light into the future of tailoring and industry, which is really really helpful. ”
What unexpected source influenced your final outcome?
“In a world of fast fashion I wanted my collection to be the antidote to this. My overall desire was to create a collection of clothing that could be worn day in day out and become a part of the individual and his specific lifestyle. I wanted the pieces to be as much of the wearer as his personality. The clothes are made from traditional British materials, eg tartan, corduroy, waxed cotton and pure linen. These fabrics are made to last. They are made for hard wearing purposes. For outdoor pursuits, for keeping warm and to be specifically long lasting. My overarching idea was of an old wardrobe that housed these pieces to be interchangeable throughout the wearers life. Maybe inherited or maybe handed down through the ages. This is the ultimate sustainability. 200 years ago clothes were made to last. They were expensive and treasured. I wanted to create this feeling of immortality for the collection. As the clothes age, I find the beauty in the decay. The clothes develop a character of their own. ”
What’s the best piece of creative advice you’ve ever received?
“The best piece of creative advice I’ve ever received is to set boundaries when finishing work and to avoid constantly going back and overthinking decisions. It taught me the importance of drawing a line, trusting the process, and knowing when a piece of work is complete rather than continuing to second-guess it.”
How would you describe your creative voice in three words?
“Fundamental, original and passionate”
What kind of impact do you hope your work has beyond aesthetics?
“I want to bring back the beauty in the individual, not just the clothes. That the desired aesthetic worn by the customer isn’t the collection’s choice but the person wearing the clothes’. Clothes are clothes. I do not want the value of a person’s wardrobe to be any more important than the person themselves. No matter how expensive or high quality. I also want to slow down time with my collections. I want to be far far way from the corporate business side of the industry. As the waste in clothes are a huge importance to the lives of my generation. ”
Which designer, artist or creative would you most like to show your work to?
Barnaby replied with a list of inspirations, designers including: John Galiano, Jonathan Anderson, Dries Van Noten, John Alexander Skelton, Vivienne Westwood; and also a list of artists: Ralph Steadman, Bruce Robinson, Sonny Hall, and Jonny Depp.
What advice would you give to a student currently starting their final collection or portfolio?
“Pick the idea with more to give. Make the theme something you can obsess over, something that interests you completely, it will become your life so choose carefully. Make it a story only you can tell. Do not be worried if the direction begins to change, a natural curve of design and direction is the beauty of the process and it allows natural reasoning and originality.”
So what’s next for you after graduating?
“I already know my creative direction, now I need to grow and I need to learn more. I want to find the right people to talk to, to show my work to and then make a 3 to 5 year plan. I also need to spend time with my friends and family and recharge. It’s been a journey. ”
