Port Seton and Cockenzie fishing towns on the East Coast of Scotland were a big influence on Kestin growing up. They lived near-by, and Kestin’s dad would take him down on a Saturday to the fish shop and buy him snack of cod roe wrapped in newspaper. You were either fisherman or a miner in these towns, and the influences of workwear and nautical style that Kestin subconsciously saw growing up have been used throughout the collection.

Notorious Scottish artist John Bellany (who went to same school as Kestin’s dad in Port Seton) was born and bred there. Coming from a traditional fishing town, Bellany was an anomaly, a creative success story and a real inspiration to Kestin and his dad. Kestin’s dad, son of a publican, worked hard and saved up to buy John Bellany’s paintings which became the prize possessions in the family home. Hanging in the kitchen these paintings showed Kestin and his siblings that they too could achieve success in the arts.

Famous for his distinctive style of painting, Bellany’s works focus on the sea, fishing ports, boats and the local characters. Notable portraits he painted include David Bowie, Sean Connery and Ian Botham.Bellany’s paintings set the colour palette for the collection, using unexpected colour combinations of pastel shades with a highlight colours such as orange, yellow– and always with blues that connects the land with the sea. A rich natural palette for SS23, blues range from Navy and Indigo, to Deep Sea and Pale Sky, mixed with Terracotta, Burnt Orange, Ochre, Sand and Moss.