Kent & Curwen × University of Cambridge

A Century of Collegiate Heritage

The Brief

British fashion house Kent & Curwen wanted to create a premium fashion collaboration that would reconnect the brand with its origins. Founded in 1926, the company originally produced ties and cricket sweaters for British universities, including Cambridge. The partnership offered an authentic way to bring this heritage story to contemporary Chinese consumers.

ARTiSTORY's Role

ARTiSTORY brought the partners together and coordinated the collaboration end to end. Our role included developing the collegiate creative direction and style guide, coordinating University brand assets and product development, and managing rights clearance and approvals from initial concepts through launch.

The Collection

A two-year menswear and womenswear program spanning from SS2026 to FW2027. The collection combines classic collegiate styling with contemporary premium fashion, anchored by a signature graphic that brings together the University of Cambridge name and coat of arms with Kent & Curwen branding within a distinctive swag motif.

The Outcome

The first collection launched across Kent & Curwen’s retail and online channels. The four-season program gives the brand a commercially relevant platform for reconnecting with its 100-year heritage while introducing Cambridge’s academic and sporting traditions to a modern fashion audience.

Featured Cultural Sources

University of Cambridge Coat of Arms

The University of Cambridge’s coat of arms, granted in 1573 to the University as a corporate body. Source: https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/history/the-coat-of-arms