As far as lookbook planning and preparation goes, this one was completely unplanned, not actually meant to be a lookbook, therefore completely off the cuff. And let's be honest, sometimes that's when the best things happen.
On the day, we left the Crown Northampton factory armed with some classic sneaker styles (click on links and images for product pages), a couple of outfit changes and a loose idea to get some image content. With our factory being based on the outskirts of Northampton town centre, we had the choice to head back into the busier surroundings and local parks of the town, or head the opposite direction which takes us to more rural settings of wider Northamptonshire. Beautiful open fields, stately homes and as it happens, decommissioned train stations.
For a change of scenery, we headed away from town and en route remembered the Brampton Halt pub. Set in the picturesque village of Chapel Brampton, the car park is shared with the now disused Pitsford and Brampton train station. The station itself is open for the general public to roam around and runs parallel to a popular footpath and bike route.
OVERSTONE HI DERBY - SAND SUEDE GUM
OVERSTONE HI DERBY - OLIVE SUEDE GUM
On arrival, we walked down the empty platform where it feels like nothing has changed from the day the final service left the station. Original signs, furniture, fittings and locomotives from different eras.
The station originally opened in 1859 with the final passenger service running in 1973. The upkeep and history of the station is now preserved by local volunteers and enthusiasts, running short passenger trips with vintage trains.
ABINGTON TOE CAP - NAVY LEATHER WHITE
Stationed on the tracks was an old Interlink train attached to several nostalgia-filled carriages that carried a familiar smell of stale cigarette smoke. Instantly taking you back to a different time along with the period-specific upholstery.
OVERSTONE DERBY - HORWEEN SUNFLOWER CAVALIER GUM
UPTON WHOLECUT - ALL WHITE LEATHER
Outside there were strikingly bold colour combinations, beautifully aged patinas and naturally decaying materials. The kind of tones, wear and texture that can only occur with exposure to the elements, over long periods of time.
OVERSTONE DERBY - ALL WHITE LEATHER
The perfect local backdrop to shoot Northampton made footwear against. Also a very interesting and inspiring day out.
OVERSTONE DERBY TL - SNUFF KUDU SUEDE
UPTON WHOLECUT - ALL WHITE LEATHER
Special thanks to https://www.nlr.org.uk/ for giving us free rein of the station and showing us around.
Photography - Alex Natt