Meet the Maker: Kestin
Menswear brand Kestin is a firm favourite in our boutique. Here we catch up with Kestin, whose vision is “to produce products that stand the test of time and tell a story, weaving in references from my Scottish heritage and making them relevant for today.”
Talk to us about how Kestin came about?
My namesake brand is a combination of almost 20 years of industry experience.
I’ve always been interested in fashion and design, coming from a creative family—it’s in my blood. Growing up, nobody was better or more well put together than my grandad Bill who ran pubs in Leith, a proper gent. When I started clubbing I realised the power of brands, everybody was buying into branded T-shirts in the early 90s. What you wore defined you, gave you confidence. I was hooked.
I knew I had to play to my strengths and went straight into studying for a degree in Fashion & Design. I then moved to London to work for and learn from the biggest brands and designers, getting my first job at Reiss and then ending up as Head of Design for Nigel Cabourn. It was an intense period of training where I was taught my core values: vintage research, learning about the history of garments, where they were manufactured, the function of the materials, the fit, the details, and the ultimate importance of championing UK production.
I knew I wanted to eventually have my own brand and create collections that are more than just products. When the time was right, I relocated back to my hometown of Edinburgh and took the opportunity to build my own business and vision, to produce a product that stands the test of time and tells a story, weaving in references from my Scottish heritage and making them relevant for today. It’s not just about the clothes for me, I want to make sure that we are creating jobs for people in the UK, preserving and promoting craft industries and ensuring that our environmental and social impact is constantly improving. My designs are technical and functional, but also a little unconventional, and that’s me.
Can you tell us about some of the highs and lows of building your own brand?
It’s not easy building a menswear brand, particularly in Scotland where I’m based. Everything is more challenging due to the remote location. But it’s worth it to have the lifestyle I want for myself and my family. The biggest low over the past year has been Brexit; it’s created so many complications and extra costs, with no benefits. But we are finding ways around the problems. We have built an amazing, talented team with such a good dynamic. We are more like family really. We have recently moved into a new studio with everything under one roof and loads of space. I’m still very much in the growth stage of my brand, and as proud as I am of what we have achieved, this is very much only the beginning.
Can you tell us a bit about the Scottish references we can find in your designs?
My Scottish heritage is incredibly important in everything we do. I’ll explain how it influenced my upcoming AW22 collection to help illustrate. For example, I was born and raised in the landscapes that John Muir helped to protect in East Lothian. So AW22 is a really personal, natural collection that weaves in references from the land and shows a new side to Scotland.
Muir was born in Dunbar and is considered "an inspiration to both Scots and Americans”. John Muir was instrumental in saving the Yosemite Valley and is now recognised as one of the most influential figures in the conservation movement. I regularly walk the John Muir Way in East Lothian, and I’ve long appreciated the spiritual quality and enthusiasm towards nature in John’s writings. His approach to conservation has never been more relevant than it is now.
The AW22 collection takes inspiration from the great outdoors, referencing the best of Scottish and American outdoor pursuits, walking, fishing, hunting and camping. Our signature fusion of functional, durable, technical and natural - blending innovation with tradition. Country outerwear classics have been reimagined in new ways.
The colour palette is taken from the John Muir Way and the colours that surround you when walking along this incredible part of Scotland. Deep forest green, moss and olive, combined with sand, bark, clay, and slate, with accents of ochre.
Also, this collection sees our first instalment of our new Tartan Scarves Collection - the Dunbar Tartan Scarf. Our exclusive tartan has been developed to be a design-led, modern take on our heritage.
Where else do you find inspiration for your designs?
I combine details from other areas of inspiration including vintage, workwear, military, sports and outdoor wear. But I also look to art and architecture for ideas. I like taking something old and reinventing it into something new.
At Thyme, sustainability is at the heart of what we do, how is this reflected in your own values?
We are committed to producing clothes in a sustainable way, it is a journey and we are learning and improving every step of the way. Most importantly we like to think of ourselves as responsible, and every decision we make is based on our aim to create high-quality products that will stand the test of time. We monitor and review our environmental and social impact looking at how we can improve our performance wherever possible.
We aim to produce more in the UK and are working closely with local factories and mills to create jobs and nurture making in the UK. We are exploring new ways of working with and training those in the industry, looking at ethical design collectives to collaborate with skilled local communities.
Do you have full transparency of your supply chain?
We visit all of our factories regularly and take a very hands-on approach to manufacturing. Sound ethical practise is very important to us. We are an independent brand so often have personal relationships with our factories and mills. At some point, there has to be trust too.
How do you ensure that your products have a long life span?
We select cloth that is of the highest quality and will last with as little environmental impact as possible. We take into consideration the durability of the garment, as well as the production process, and make with the best factories to produce excellent quality. It starts with the cloth, then the make has to be top class, and then how the customer looks after the garment also plays a role. Using the right detergent and wash settings, the right care is the final element.
Not just selling new clothes, you also offer a repair service. Can you tell us a bit about this?
Encouraging customers to repair rather than throw away is a mission we feel really strongly about, so we decided to offer it as a service to them. Repair should always be the first port of call, it’s amazing what you can mend. If a garment is made correctly it should last and last and last, if it’s looked after properly.
