A TRIBUTE TO COURAGE, CRAFT, AND LEGACY
This Autumn/Winter 2025, Gieves & Hawkes proudly unveils Eyes in the Sky, a collection inspired by real-life stories of courage, resilience, and sacrifice. Drawing from the heroic legacy of WWII fighter pilots, AW25 reflects on history not as a distant memory, but as a living narrative of strength and conviction.
A NARRATIVE REIMAGINED
AW25 is both a visual and emotional journey, drawn from the lives of WWII fighter pilots whose bravery became the blueprint for perseverance. We step behind the cockpit to uncover rarely told stories - fragments of history that still resonate with timeless relevance.
Two such stories are that of Squadron Leader Dick Churchill and Sandy Gunn.
Dick Churchill, commissioned into the RAF in 1938, was shot down and captured by German forces during the war, and imprisoned at the infamous Stalag Luft III. Churchill would become one of the last surviving POW’s of The Great Escape - a mission defined by courage, strategy, and an unwavering belief in freedom.
Sandy Gunn, a reconnaissance pilot whose final flight ended tragically in 1942 when his Spitfire was shot down over Norway. Captured and held in a concentration camp, he became one of the brave soldiers involved in the Great Escape. Sadly, he was among those recaptured and shot dead by the Gestapo, a stark reminder of the countless lives cut short in the name of service
CRAFTED WITH MEANING
Every detail in the AW25 collection is layered with historical reference and material innovation from British and Italian mills. We reinterpret archival military battle dress jackets through a modern lens, while our tailoring introduces a structured, quintessentially British silhouette - evoking protection and an armour-like strength.
Expect tactile surfaces: wool-cashmere blends, melange wools, and rich patina leathers - each expressing utility and timeless endurance.
Standout design elements include the original Spitfire technical drawings, reinterpreted in intricate silk jacquards, transforming wartime engineering into wearable art and a proud salute to engineering brilliance and wartime artistry.
A STORY TOLD THROUGH COLLABORATION
In a unique creative partnership, Gieves & Hawkes has collaborated with Bellerby & Co. Globemakers to craft a historically accurate, hand-painted map, spotlighting key geographical locations from Churchill and Gunn’s missions. This map features throughout the collection as a bespoke lining and accessory, adding depth to the storytelling.
Further supporting the legacy of aerial reconnaissance, Gieves & Hawkes joins forces with Spitfire AA810, a foundation committed to restoring a downed reconnaissance aircraft and preserving the history of the Photo Reconnaissance Unit (PRU).
A PALETTE OF MEMORY AND SKY
The AW25 colour story is rooted in memory and sky: deep military greens, heritage browns, and slate greys are punctuated by sharp turquoise and bold red—hues drawn directly from flight suits, insignia, and the expansive skies of Europe during the war.
