The Origins of Region: From a School Project to a Brand Reborn
Where It Started
The story begins in a graphic design classroom in 2012 when I was just 15 years old.
Our brief was simple: create promotional material around a music-themed project. While most students focused on posters and album artwork, I had a different idea. I decided to design a collection of graphic t-shirts.
I enjoyed the process so much that I didn't want it to end when the assignment was over.
At the time, skateboarding and surfing were my two biggest passions, and I began imagining what those t-shirt designs might look like if they were created for the communities and culture I was part of. That's when the idea for Region was born.
The name itself came from an unexpected source. While browsing the X Games website in search of inspiration, the word "Region" jumped out at me. I can't explain why, but it stuck immediately. I never looked back.
The first box of Region t-shirts and sweatshirts
Region Script T-Shirts modelled at a local skatepark
Modelling the Region sweatshirts at Savernake Forest
The original Region Heritage Floral Five-Panel Cap
The Early Days
The first Region collection consisted of a handful of t-shirts and sweatshirts printed locally in Wiltshire, England.
The graphics were simple yet bold. Looking back, they were far from sophisticated, but they reflected the skate and surf culture that inspired the brand from day one.
Most of the products were sold to friends and family who shared those same interests. I also sold pieces at local market stalls, gradually building a small community around the brand.
As interest grew, so did the collection. Soon Region expanded beyond t-shirts and sweatshirts to include hoodies, jackets, beanies and what would become some of the brand's most popular products: our five-panel caps.
The brand's first stockist was a fashion store on Marlborough High Street, and through ASOS Marketplace, Region began reaching customers internationally, shipping products across Europe, North America, Australia and beyond.
Region’s first stockist on Marlborough High Street
Madars Apse wears the Region Tropic Five-Panel Cap
Modelling the collection at the school fashion show
Laura Crane wears the Heritage Floral Cap
Pressing Pause
As my studies at London College of Fashion progressed, so did new opportunities. I gained experience working with brands including On, Red Bull and AlphaTauri, learning from some of the best creative teams in the industry.
To fully pursue these opportunities, Region was gradually placed on hold.
Although the brand disappeared from the surface, the desire to create something of my own never left me.
That entrepreneurial spirit that first sparked Region at 15 years old remained.
Standing with the Region collection at the School of Media and Communication at London College of Fashion
Carlos Costa modelling the Region Anchor collection at St Katherine Docks in London in 2014
Kirby Akindeinde wearing the Region Heritage T-Shirt alonside Regents Canal in London
Why Bring Region Back?
Fast forward to 2026. After almost a decade on pause, I found myself wanting to build something again.
Rather than starting from scratch, I kept coming back to Region. There was already a story. There was already a foundation. Most importantly, there was unfinished business.
The brand that began through skateboarding and surfing has naturally evolved alongside my own interests. Today, Region is inspired by outdoor movement in all its forms—from cycling and running to hiking, padel and exploring new places.
The values have matured, but the original spirit remains the same.
The First Chapter of the Relaunch
For the relaunch, I partnered with Alice Constant, a French apparel and product designer based in the Opal Coast, France.
Alice and I previously worked together at KISKA, the Salzburg-based design agency. I reached out to ask whether she would be interested in creating something for Region. The result is the Region Origins T-Shirt.
Drawing inspiration from the earliest Region collections, vintage surf graphics and Alice's upbringing by the Opal Coast, the design features hand-drawn illustrations and ocean-inspired symbols.
The t-shirts are made from 100% organic cotton and screen-printed in London.
We'll be sharing more about the collaboration with Alice in our next journal entry.
Looking Forward
The goal for Region remains simple. Create unique, high-quality products that reflect our love of outdoor movement. Collaborate with talented creatives and designers. Have a whole lot of fun along the way.
And do it as responsibly as possible, with a commitment to making products that are kinder to the planet.
Thank you for following the journey so far. Whether you've been here since the original collections or you've just discovered Region for the first time, I'm incredibly excited to have you along for what comes next.
This is only the beginning.
Thank you for following the Region story so far. It means a great deal to have you with us as we begin this next chapter. If you’d like to be part of the relaunch, be sure to explore the new Region Origins T-Shirt—our first release of 2026. Made from 100% organic cotton and designed as a unisex fit, it marks the beginning of a new era for the brand. We hope you love it as much as we loved bringing it to life.
