Written by Menswear Style
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7th January 2025
Barnfield Customs is a new brand not only capturing a passion for product, but with a drive to establish itself as a premium ‘maker’ within the UK market through founder Mark Warman. The brainchild of graphic designer and agency owner Mark, and based in Nottinghamshire, Barnfield Customs came to life in 2023 with a primary focus on designing and making premium overcoats and jackets to the highest standard. Garments that are timeless, abundant in finer detailing and in quality.
Each Barnfield coat is made to order with Mark running one-on-one calls with each of his customers to confirm sizing and fit. “The way I see it, a jacket or coat is an investment,” he says. “By creating a premium product, I’m able to work with premium producers, whether that’s the fabrics, buttons, pattern cutters or the machinists. By strictly limiting the quantity, I’m also able to personally oversee the quality of each piece.”
Growing up in Bahrain, Mark returned to the UK to attend art school in Nottingham before finishing a degree in Design Technology at Nottingham Trent University. Starting his career as a graphic designer, he set up his own marketing agency in 2007. “Social media was just opening up to brands and I was able to work with the likes of Porsche, Audi and VW alongside a collection of international and government clients,” he adds. “The agency was successful but it took everything I had. The long hours and stress left me with stomach ulcers and panic attacks. So in 2019, I brought it to a close.”
Mark continued to work in the industry as a consultant but found himself drawn to designing again and started to develop an athleisure brand. “I’ve always been interested in clothing,” he says. “I’d designed for a London based streetwear brand whilst at university and developed a surf brand after I finished my degree. Once I’d closed the marketing agency I knew I wanted to create something tangible. Clothing was the natural choice given that it brought my interests, experience and skill-set together.” But as time went on, the need to create something that lasted and with a potential legacy took over. Mark realised that with athleisure, no matter how good the materials were or how well the clothing was made, buyers were only ever going to wear the products for a season or two. “It was at this point that I saw a photograph of my Great Grandfather in his World War One uniform. For all sorts of reasons that photo changed my trajectory and led me to designing and launching jackets.”
Mark focuses on creating timeless, high-quality garments. These pieces are made to such a standard that they can be passed down through generations, justifying their premium price point. “Statistics show we’re buying more clothing than ever but at a fraction of the cost.” he says. “Clothing that’s cheap, disposable and produced by cutting corners. I want my customers to be able to pass their jackets on to the next generation. I want to create something I’m proud to be part of and that they’re proud to wear.” To guarantee the quality that he is looking for, all Barnfield products are made in Great Britain. “Making locally allows me to oversee every aspect of the production. It also means that the business is supporting an industry that used to employ thousands of people in this country. In many ways, it’s not easy to manufacture here but for me, it’s the right choice.”
Marks’ target market is professional, aspirational men aged 35-55. His vision is of a natural and sophisticated style, without pretence, designed for those who appreciate provenance, quality and thoughtful design. This is mirrored by his own humble character and the feeling that to call himself a fashion designer, for example, would be disingenuous. “I’ll obsess over the shape of the sleeve head on a coat or I’ll spend months finessing how the lapels fall but I’d never call myself a fashion designer. To me, fashion and trend go hand in hand and I want Barnfield to be timeless.” adds Mark. “I want my jackets to be handed down, father to son, so the construction and quality is just as important as the design itself.” Mark has already enjoyed an element of success via the sale of his first jacket, the Lawrence, which sold out in 36 hours. The next step will be the introduction of a luxury heavyweight peacoat, the Hampden. Handmade to order and constructed from premium British made 100% wool melton and cut to a traditional slim fit, the coat will be priced at £1595 with order books opening in December this year.
This is a shortened transcribed edit of episode 228 of the MenswearStyle Podcast with Mark Warman, founder of handmade jackets brand barnfieldcustoms.com. You can listen to the full version below or Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
