Gieves & Hawkes AW25 “Eyes in the Sky” Honors the Bravery and Craft of WWII Fighter Pilots

Source: Gieves & Hawkes

Reported By: Matthew Kennedy

This Autumn/Winter 2025, Gieves & Hawkes presents Eyes in the Sky, a collection that transcends seasonal fashion to become a narrative of courage, craft, and legacy. Rooted in the real-life heroics of WWII fighter pilots, the collection reflects on history not as a distant chapter but as a living source of inspiration. Among the figures honored are Squadron Leader Dick Churchill, one of the last survivors of the Great Escape, and Sandy Gunn, a reconnaissance pilot whose career—and life—was cut tragically short in 1942. Their stories anchor a collection that balances military precision with timeless tailoring.

Eyes in the Sky is an exercise in material narrative. Military silhouettes are reinterpreted in refined cuts, where British and Italian textile innovation takes center stage. Wool-cashmere blends, melange wools, and patina leathers lend both substance and texture, creating garments that carry weight in more ways than one.

One of the collection’s most striking elements is the integration of original Spitfire technical drawings, reimagined as intricate silk jacquards. The transformation of wartime engineering into wearable art serves as a testament to Gieves & Hawkes’ ability to merge authenticity with design vision.

In a distinctive creative partnership, the house has worked with Bellerby & Co. Globemakers to produce a historically accurate, hand-painted map marking key geographical locations from Churchill’s and Gunn’s missions. This map appears as a bespoke lining and accessory, adding a layer of intimacy and context to the garments.

The brand also joins forces with Spitfire AA810, a foundation dedicated to restoring a downed reconnaissance aircraft and preserving the history of the Photo Reconnaissance Unit (PRU). This alliance underscores the collection’s commitment to honoring, and actively supporting, the legacy it draws from.

The AW25 color story reads like an aerial canvas of memory and mission. Deep military greens, heritage browns, and slate greys ground the collection in historical authenticity, while sharp turquoise and bold red punctuate the range—colors drawn directly from flight suits, insignia, and the wide skies over Europe during the war.

With Eyes in the Sky, Gieves & Hawkes has crafted more than a seasonal offering—it has curated an homage to those who soared before us, weaving their bravery into the fabric of today’s menswear. The result is a collection that proves courage, when expressed through craft and culture, is always in style.