HUGH CLARKE MICRO BLOG

My passion for sports like cycling, combined with influences from the Eighties acid house, Nineties rave scene, and the iconic casuals style of football terraces, profoundly shapes my designs. 

Born in Brighton’s vibrant coastal town, I imbibed its rich cultural infusion, from music to fashion. This foundation led me to high-profile clothing stores showcasing brands like Stone Island and C.P Company, further deepening my design ethos. Though school might have seen me ‘underperform’, art revealed my true potential, prompting a transformative academic journey at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Fashion Institute. 

My career’s tapestry is woven with notable stints at brands like Gul and the sports giant PUMA. At Gul, my designs touched both mainstream and expedition collections, while at PUMA, I pioneered in teamsports design for football legends like Newcastle United and Glasgow Rangers. My later role in PUMA’s Innovation Team had me conceptualizing patent products and anchoring product development for global sporting events like FIFA World Cups and Olympics. 

My design philosophy is holistic—Function, Style, Emotion, and Sustainability are its pillars. Sports, especially cycling, act as the bridge, fusing these elements. Every design I craft tells a narrative, intertwining brand values, inspiration, and function, ensuring a transformative consumer engagement. 

As the design world navigates an era where aesthetics and sustainability are intertwined, I am on a mission: to create apparel that’s not just visually striking and high-performing, but also environmentally considerate.  

I envision myself as more than a designer — a consultant and partner to my clients, deeply invested in their success. Let’s embark on a journey of strategic, sustainable design, and define the future of performance apparel where craftsmanship meets sustainability. Your brand’s evolution is a message away.