Introducing The Lakes Collection: Starting with Ennerdale Water
There's no shortage of Lake District clothing out there. Mountain silhouettes, walking slogans and the usual familiar landmarks. For our new collection at Blake Fell Apparel, we wanted to take a slightly different approach.
The Lakes Collection is inspired by the shapes of the lakes themselves and the contours of the landscape around them. Simple designs that mean something to people who know these places, without shouting about it.
And before anyone points it out, yes, Bassenthwaite Lake is famously the only one of the Lake District's sixteen principal lakes with the word “Lake” in its name. The others tend to be called waters or meres. But “The Waters, Meres and One Lake Collection” doesn't quite have the same ring to it.
Starting with Ennerdale Water
It probably won't surprise anyone familiar with Blake Fell Apparel that we're beginning in the western Lakes.
Ennerdale Water is right on our doorstep. It's a place we return to regularly, whether that's a wander by the shore, a ride along the valley or a trip up towards Black Sail. There's something about Ennerdale that keeps drawing us back.
The lake sits between steep fells and woodland, with the valley stretching east into the mountains. You can still find quiet corners even on days when the better-known parts of the National Park are busy.
It's also the kind of landscape that changes every time you visit. Sometimes the water is still and the fells are clear. Other days, the cloud sits low, the wind picks up and everything looks completely different. Both have their appeal.
From the lake to the design
For our first T-shirt, we've taken the distinctive outline of Ennerdale Water and set it against a fine contour map background. The larger design sits on the back in subtle silver-grey, with our classic Blake Fell mountain logo on the front.
We've started with a French Navy organic cotton T-shirt, printed to order. The idea is to keep the artwork understated enough for everyday wear while still being recognisable to anyone who knows the lake.
More lakes to come
Ennerdale Water is just the first in the series. There are plenty of other distinctive lakes across Cumbria, from the familiar ones people travel miles to see to the quieter places that deserve a bit more attention.
As the collection grows, we'll keep the same approach to the artwork so the designs sit together as a range. We'll also keep sharing the walks, photographs and stories behind the places themselves.
If the photos make you want to explore Ennerdale, you can read our Ennerdale Water walking guide.
Explore The Lakes Collection
The Ennerdale Water T-shirt is available now, with more lake designs to follow.