Burton Roll Out 'Arthur Scargill Clothing Line' Inspired By Trade Unionist Leader

Burton Roll Out 'Arthur Scargill-Inspired' Clothing Line

Menswear chain Burton have launched a new clothing range with an odd inspiration - the northern miners of the decades past and their leader Arthur Scargill.

Designed by Royal College of Art (RCA) student Liam Hodges, the pieces form part of a collection honouring the heritage of Burton, founded by Sir Montague Burton in Leeds in the 1950s.

The prestigious London arts school was offered the chance for one of its students to contribute some clothing designs towards the Montague Burton line, with Hodges' the winning submission.

Scargill as leader of the National Union of Mineworkers in the 1980s

Hodges, a first-year MA Menswear Design student, claims he chose to base his work on the miners after being inspired by a documentary on the miners' strikes, according to ShortList.

Scargill, who led the miners' during their mid 1980s strikes, is not necessarily recognised as a fashion icon, but perhaps this could be the beginning of a new persona for the former mineworkers' union leader, Thatcher nemesis and current Socialist Labour Party leader.

Arthur Scargill: Fashion hero?

According to the RCA, the line submitted by Hodges includes a Harris Tweed suit, while lambswool for the knitwear was spun and dyed in Leeds, an homage to early Burton production processes.

Pieces in the line range from £25-£200 and also include footwear, accessories, tailoring, coats and suits.

Speaking of his designs, Hodges said: "Taking inspiration from heritage, I was aware that tweed suits are a bit outdated for the high street. I was reading lots about the miners and watching documentaries. What I've created draws on classic garments from that era, updating them with modern jackets."

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