Ed Anthony is an artist, designer and co-founder of clothing label, Darte. He’s also a walking archive of heritage style, reworked with a contemporary twist.
Featured in our latest Classic Mens Looks series, The Vintage Collector, Ed sat down with us to share the story behind his personal style — and how his wardrobe became an archive of stories & design.
Inspirations & Influences
Ed’s love for heritage clothing isn’t just a passion, but part of his creative life. “I specialise in illustration, graphics and menswear design within the heritage world,” he told us. “How I dress is linked with the clothing I design and the painting commissions I produce. It’s all built on history and storytelling, so for me there’s no divide.”
That sense of connection to the past started young. His grandparents served in WW2, and their stories left a mark. “My grandfather was a sergeant in the RAF, and I’d listen to him tell stories from the war. Those stories engraved a fascination with the history and the clothing of that period.”
His grandmother’s wartime scrapbook, filled with sketches from pilots, also had a lasting effect. “There are some great illustrations of bomber planes and portraits which also started my fascination with bomber nose art painting.”
First finds and fast obsessions
Every collector has a starting point. For Ed, it was a jacket.
“I came across a US Navy G-1 goatskin bomber jacket from the 1950s. I didn’t know much about it at the time, but I was drawn to the patina, the smell of the leather, the small blonde mouton collar and the two chest pockets. It was a head-turner.”
That jacket led to years of collecting, researching and trading pieces. “It drew me down a rabbit hole, and I’ve never looked back.”
Today, he sources vintage through flea markets, trusted dealers, and a global network of collectors. “It’s a bit like a tribe, really. We all help each other out.”
Built to last
The look we captured with Ed was built around honest materials — denim, suede, worn-in fabrics with a lived-in feel. For him, that’s the draw. “The quality of the fabrics and construction, the fades of denim and the buttery patina of old leather — they’re unrivalled.”
But it’s not just about appearances. “I’m fascinated by the history behind garments. Who wore them before? Where were they made? Who were the craftsmen that built them?”
Ed prefers pieces that tell a story over time. That includes signs of wear and repair. “There’s nothing better than seeing a well-made pair of denim trousers fade and fray. I often repair things myself using traditional Japanese sashiko. It looks good and it adds to the story.”
Boots with a backstory
We asked Ed how footwear fits into his philosophy.
“Footwear is as important as clothing when it comes to storytelling. Especially how it ages — the scrapes, the fading. I’ve had a pair of roughout boots for over 10 years now. They’ve only been resoled once, and they look incredible.”
For this look, he paired our Daniel Tramping Shoe in Tan Hairy Suede with vintage 1950s denim. “I love the contrast between the shoes and the denim — the tones and textures complement each other really well.”
The Daniel Tramping Shoe reminded him of something familiar. “To me the style of shoe is reminiscent of a wartime service shoe but with a contemporary twist. A very hard-wearing sole fit for hard wearing purposes, but built with a very elegant and timeless upper aesthetic.”
The wardrobe as an archive
Over time, Ed’s relationship with vintage has deepened. These days, his wardrobe is more like an archive.
“I predominantly wear vintage now, apart from basics like tees and underwear. I like to upcycle and give new life to old clothing, styling it my way. It’s also a more sustainable approach — there is just so much waste in the world and we seem to be surrounded by a throwaway culture.”
That respect for quality extends to how he stores and cares for each piece. “I have a dedicated space for my archive. The rare garments are boxed and bagged or hung on padded hangers to minimise stress on the fabric.”
He also restores WWII bomber jackets for collectors around the world. “It’s a real labour of love. It feels good to give something back to the sacrifices made by so many servicemen.”
Prized pieces
There’s always one piece that means more than the rest. “I had always had my eye on one particular jacket from my buddy Nigel Cabourn’s design archives,” Ed told us. “It was a late 1930s RAF Irvin bomber jacket with beautifully crude hand-painted nose art.”
It wasn’t easy to get hold of. “It took me years to convince Nigel to part with it — and in the end, he gave it to me as part payment for some freelance illustration I did for one of his collections.”
The jacket was damaged, but Ed saw its value. “The arms were totally shot, so I ended up converting it into a vest to preserve as much of the artwork as I could. Not only is it rare and uniquely stunning, but it also signifies the great friendship we have. It’s a piece I’ll forever cherish.”
If shoes could talk
We ended by asking Ed what his shoes might say if they could tell their story.
“They’d tell you about pure adventure! From the backstreets of East London and the intensity of Soho to international travel. Shoes that have done aerobatics in WW2 aircraft, seen stunning places, maybe had a drop of whisky or beer, and most likely shared the occasional kebab with me,” he laughs.
“And I think they’d thank me for keeping them in good nick. I’m sure they didn’t mind that drop of whisky, either!”
Follow Ed on Instagram at @stanford_vintage, and check out his clothing line, Darte, at www.dartelondon.com.
Explore The Vintage Collector look, featuring Ed, here.
