Our handcrafted, waxed cotton aprons are made to last

OWNER AND FOUNDER, CLAIRE BRIGGS

- ALICE HUMPHRYS

When Claire Briggs and her family moved into an old coach house in Somerset’s Quantock Hills five years ago, she knew they would be spending a lot of time sorting out the extensive yet overgrown garden. Nevertheless, Claire felt excited to reclaim this beautiful space for her family to enjoy. And that’s how the idea for her utilitarian clothing brand, Fieldware, evolved – while knee-deep in yet another garden-clearing session.

‘My husband, Ian, and I were working away in our scruffy old clothes when we started thinking about garden wear and aprons. I didn’t feel enamoured with what was already on the market; it was either too floral or old-fashioned,’ says Claire. ‘I just knew I should set up my own garden clothing brand.’

After 15 years working as an account director for her husband’s design agency, Briggs & Co in Taunton, Claire was ready for a new challenge. ‘I had learned a lot working with a portfolio of creative brands and clients but I wanted to have something of my own to focus on and feel proud of,’ she says. ‘I scoured the internet looking at aprons and what was already out there. I knew I wanted the designs to be simple and unfussy. Big practical pockets and long straps would be useful but the material needed to be unique. I didn’t want to design yet another throwaway fashion item; I wanted to offer something that looked good and was built to last.’