Kestin (formerly Kestin Hare) is a Scottish menswear brand founded in 2014 by designer Kestin Hare, born and based in Edinburgh’s port district of Leith. Hare trained at Nigel Cabourn, Margaret Howell, and Burberry before returning to his hometown to build a brand that fuses vintage research and military-derived construction with contemporary fabrics, Scottish manufacturing, and the specific aesthetic demands of a country whose weather and landscapes demand clothing that is both functional and beautiful. The brand’s tagline — “Redefining modern Scottish design by blending innovation with tradition” — is a precise description of what Kestin actually does.
Key Facts
- Founded: 2014
- Founder/Designer: Kestin Hare (born Edinburgh, Scotland)
- Headquarters: Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland
- Retail: Flagship store in Stockbridge, Edinburgh; 90+ international stockists
- Industry: Contemporary Scottish Menswear
Background and Aesthetic
Hare grew up in Edinburgh, became interested in clothing quality through the cadet force uniform at boarding school, and traces his personal style reference to his grandfather — a Spitfire pilot who was meticulous about quality clothes and handed down his RAF jacket. He worked for Margaret Howell and Nigel Cabourn (where he became head of design) before founding Kestin. The brand draws from workwear, military clothing, outdoor garments, and the heritage of Scottish manufacturing, working closely with Scottish and British mills wherever possible.
Kestin uses performance fabrics including water-repellent treatments, 37.5 Degree body-regulating fabrics, and technical weaves alongside traditional Scottish woollens and linens — a combination Hare describes as “a mash-up of Scottish mill heritage and performance fabric innovation.” The brand uses two factories within 90 minutes of the Edinburgh studio, maintaining the close relationships that produce better garments. International coverage has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Monocle, GQ, and Wallpaper. Stocked by END. Clothing, Gravity Pope, and specialist menswear retailers in Europe, Japan, and North America.
Product Range
Kestin’s core range includes parkas, field jackets, overshirts, shirts, trousers, knitwear, and accessories — all designed with the practicality of outdoor and working life embedded into contemporary silhouettes. The brand is anti-hype in its stated approach: producing classic menswear with an edge suitable for men of any age, prioritising quality and longevity over seasonal novelty.
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