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Add Texture to GoogleThe idea that anything created with meticulous care can be considered a work of art is not new, but it finds a unique expression in the collaboration between British visual artist Damien Hirst and the Scottish fashion house Barrie. A loyal customer of the brand, the artist—a central figure among the Young British Artists born in 1965—is now venturing into fashion design by applying his most famous motifs to cashmere pieces. This collaboration goes beyond simply stamping a signature on a garment; it is rooted in a mutual respect for the material and craftsmanship, blurring the lines between the gallery and the wardrobe.
From Hawick to London: A Union of Precision
The project originated from a personal habit of Damien Hirst’s, who is frequently seen wearing the manufacturer’s patch-adorned vests. Based in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, since 1903, Barrie is one of the last bastions of textile craftsmanship at its finest, having been integrated into Chanel’s Métiers d’art in 2012. For this capsule collection, production follows the rigorous protocols for which the factory is renowned: knitting is done on traditional Bentley looms as well as state-of-the-art Japanese Shima Seiki machines, before the pieces are washed in water from the River Teviot—a crucial step for ensuring the cashmere’s softness.
The collection features a unisex, gender-neutral wardrobe where Hirst’s iconography meets the technical expertise of knitwear. The famous “Spots”—the colorful dots from his painting series that began in 1986—adorn crew-neck sweaters and zip-up styles. These pieces are available in specific variations: white with multicolored dots, white with gray dots, or black with multicolored dots. Each numbered sweater—a true collector’s item produced in a limited run of just 100 pieces per color—is priced at €2,300 in French boutiques.
Butterflies and Relief: A Three-Dimensional Approach
The other major motif of this collaboration is butterflies, a direct reference to the “In and Out of Love” installation presented by the artist in 1991. These “Butterflies” adorn sets consisting of cashmere hoodies and joggers, available in white, black, red, or green. The joggers, also part of a limited series of 100 units per colorway, are priced at €1,900.
One of the most technically sophisticated pieces in the collection is undoubtedly the “Spot Logo Blanket.” This throw reinterprets Barrie’s traditional thistle crest. The original double “B” has been replaced by the artist’s initials, while the 3D relief knitting technique lends the piece a sculptural depth. This focus on texture underscores Damien Hirst’s ambition to keep aesthetics and functionality inseparable, affirming that wearable art is a natural extension of his visual art practice.
A Rollout Timed to the Art Calendar
The launch of this capsule collection follows a strategic timeline. Early access was made available on October 7, 2026, for the brand’s subscribers, ahead of a global rollout on October 14, 2026. This date coincides with the Frieze London art fair, an international hub for the art market, highlighting the overlap between these two worlds. The collection will be available on the brand’s official website and in its network of stores across Europe, the Americas, and Korea. A second phase of the launch is scheduled for November 10, 2026, in China, Japan, and Taiwan.
In addition to the numbered pieces, the line includes more accessible items, referred to as “Collectibles.” These include cotton jersey hoodies, cashmere scarves, T-shirts, and embroidered iron-on patches that allow for customization of the garments. Merchandise items, such as keychains, round out the collection, evoking the aesthetic of the museum shops the artist is fond of.
Missed Opportunities: McQueen, Chalayan, and Abloh
While this collaboration with Barrie is now coming to fruition, Damien Hirst has revealed that he explored similar projects in the past with major figures in fashion, though none came to fruition during their lifetimes. He specifically mentions discussions with Lee Alexander McQueen. While a commemorative collection of skull-print scarves was launched in 2013 to mark the accessory’s tenth anniversary, plans for a direct collaboration with the designer were never finalized.
Similarly, discussions with Hussein Chalayan and Virgil Abloh did not result in a joint clothing line. With Abloh, however, there was a precedent in 2021 on the Canary Yellow platform, through a charity auction of upcycled pieces, but a direct creative partnership on a full collection had remained on hold. These missed opportunities give the collaboration with Barrie a special significance in the career of the British artist, often cited as the wealthiest in his country, although his fortune remains estimated based on fluctuating net worth.
In a filmed conversation with curator Cornelius Tittel, the artist confides that he no longer knows where art ends and the rest of creation begins. For him, this collection is not merely a foray into luxury, but a validation of his maxim: “Anything done well is art.” By entrusting his designs to the looms of Hawick, Hirst transforms cashmere into a durable medium of expression, shaped by the precision of Scottish craftsmanship.