Looking into Solomon J. Solomon has been useful for understanding the origins of camouflage and its ties to military history. He was a British artist who developed camouflage techniques for the British Army during WWI, using his background in painting to help disguise troops and equipment on the battlefield. This early approach to camouflage was functional – aimed at helping people blend into their surroundings.
For me, Solomon’s work is relevant because it links art with practical design. He was taking cues from nature, studying how to recreate natural patterns and textures to mask human presence. This approach connects to what I’m doing with my menswear collection – focusing on workwear, durability, and the idea of hidden functionality.
I found it interesting that Solomon’s influence reached Kent’s coastline, including Thanet, where I'm from. This area was used strategically during wartime, so camouflage techniques were applied along the coast to hide structures from enemy sight. Seeing how these techniques played out on the Thanet Coast brings my research closer to home, particularly in thinking about how materials and designs can adapt to rougher, more exposed environments.
As I continue to study camouflage, I’m also looking at how I can take it from military use to contempary forms in fashion. This pattern started as a necessity but eventually evolved into something symbolic and everyday. For my collection, it’s about the balance – making clothes that are practical but still feel part of the environment, rather than standing out.
In thinking about Solomon’s work and the historical use of camouflage, I’m finding ideas for creating pieces that don’t just look durable but are also functional in a discreet way. There’s a sense of layering and adaptability, much like how Solomon approached his work in camouflaging.

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