British lifestyle brand Barbour announces a collaboration with Japanese menswear brand Kaptain Sunshine on February 5, 2026, launching a collection inspired by maritime workwear.
Barbour was founded in 1894 by John Barbour at the Marketplace in South Shields. The brand began by providing outerwear to protect dockworkers, including fishermen and sailors, from harsh British weather conditions.
Meanwhile, Kaptain Sunshine was established in 2013 by designer Shinsuke Kojima. Based on traditional styles, the brand develops collections from the ground up with materials that cross product boundaries between fieldwear, workwear, and uniforms.
This capsule collection centers on meticulous craftsmanship shared by both brands, incorporating lightweight materials, modular construction, and functional details to balance streetwear sensibility with practicality.
The design draws inspiration from archive models in Barbour's collection. Two iconic models serve as reference points: the Endurance, which debuted in the early 1990s, and the Transport, released in 2000.
The Endurance features Ventile® fabric with high durability and water repellency, designed for use in harsh conditions. The Transport was created as a mountain bike jacket, featuring a short-length A-line silhouette suitable for cycling, based on celebrated models like the Bedale and Beaufort that appeared in the 1980s.
This season, these two styles are reinterpreted with contemporary silhouettes. Using cotton canvas, the pieces feature a 2-in-1 design combining removable contrast-color outer garments inspired by safety vests. Oversized silhouettes, drawcords, side zips, and other details derived from sailor uniforms are incorporated throughout, expressing Barbour's tradition rooted in South Shields, a port town facing the North Sea.
The collection launches on February 5, 2026, at the official Barbour online store.
Barbour × Kaptain Sunshine Endurance Casual Jacket
Price: ¥79,200 (tax included)
A 2-in-1 design based on Barbour's archive Endurance Jacket. Featuring a contrast overcoat with a short hood, the piece fuses Kaptain Sunshine's signature detachable and reconfigurable modular design with Barbour's practicality and craftsmanship. Made with lightweight dry-wax-finished cotton material, it maintains flap pockets, hand warmer pockets, and front storm fly closure.
Colors: Light Olive / Dark Indigo / Oatmeal
Barbour × Kaptain Sunshine Transport Smock Casual Jacket
Price: ¥61,600 (tax included)
Based on the Transport and inspired by Barbour's archive sailing jacket. The piece adopts a modular structure, featuring a 2-in-1 design that combines a sleeveless outer garment with eye-catching color contrast.
Colors: Light Olive / Dark Indigo / Oatmeal
About Barbour
Founded in 1894 by John Barbour in South Shields, a port town in northeastern England. The brand began by providing water-repellent outerwear for dockworkers laboring in the harsh climate facing the North Sea. As a synonym for British country wear, Barbour's collection now extends widely as a lifestyle brand with strong fashion appeal.
Passed down through five generations of the Barbour family, the brand celebrates its 130th anniversary this year and is sold in over 55 countries worldwide, including Germany, Italy, Spain, France, the United States, and Japan.
In 2020, Barbour launched "Wax for Life." In addition to rewaxing and repair services introduced in 1921, the brand has been implementing an upcycling program as part of its sustainability activities since 2019. This initiative collects unwanted wax jackets from customers, cleans, repairs, and rewaxes them as needed for resale without disposal, allowing unique jackets to find new owners in this sustainable practice.
In May 2024, Margaret Barbour, the current 5th generation chairwoman, received a Royal Warrant from the King for the manufacture of outerwear, footwear, and accessories.
About Kaptain Sunshine
A brand established in 2013 by designer Shinsuke Kojima. Rich materials made from quality raw ingredients. Reliable sewing by Japanese factories. Everyday wear that can be washed and air-dried without worry. Valuing the essence of traditional styles, fieldwear, and more, the brand designs pieces you'll want to take on your travels.
