Diana Maclean for Swaine: An Illustrated Heritage

Swaine is pleased to introduce its latest collaboration with Scottish leather artist Diana Maclean, whose distinctive hand-painted work has attracted commissions from some of Britain's most respected heritage brands, including Connolly, Ralph Lauren, Globetrotter and now Swaine.

Created in a limited edition of just five pieces, the collection transforms Swaine's signature Jaguar Green bridle leather into a series of wearable works of art. Available for pre-order from 20 July, the collection launches in-store and online on 22 July.

Drawing on more than 275 years of British craftsmanship, the collaboration celebrates Swaine's origins as a maker of fine whips and saddlery through a series of hand-painted illustrations inspired by the British countryside. Sporting dogs, wildflowers, rolling landscapes and the unmistakable figure of the huntsman come together in an artistic interpretation of Swaine's enduring equestrian heritage.

When we visited Diana at her London studio earlier this month, she described the project as an opportunity to explore the visual language of British country life while responding to Swaine's remarkable history.

"My favourite part of any commission is receiving the brief and seeing the first idea that comes to mind," she explains. "For Swaine, it was immediately the huntsman in the red coat against the deep green leather. From there, I began developing a continuous landscape inspired by English wildflowers, almost like a storyboard running across each piece."

Influenced by historic paintings and Britain's rich decorative traditions, Maclean's illustrations balance intricate botanical detail with layered patterns and vibrant colour. Her signature style complements the timeless forms of Swaine's leather goods, allowing heritage craftsmanship and contemporary artistry to exist in harmony.

The collection reflects a collaborative process that lies at the heart of Maclean's practice.

"I love when a client arrives with an idea rather than a fixed plan," she says. "Choosing colours that work with the leather, developing the composition and refining every detail together is my favourite way to work. There's a wonderful dialogue that happens throughout the process."

That appreciation for personal craftsmanship has long connected Maclean with Swaine. Among her favourite commissions is a bespoke family crest painted for a Swaine customer.

"I love heraldry because every crest tells a story. It's incredibly detailed and deeply personal. Carrying a family crest on a leather bag feels like carrying a piece of heritage and art with you."

The same sense of narrative appears throughout this collection. Inspired by the iconography of Britain's sporting traditions, the illustrations reference the landscapes and rituals that shaped country life for centuries. As organised fox hunting became a defining social tradition during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the scarlet hunting coat, sporting dogs and pastoral scenery became enduring symbols of Britain's equestrian culture. Rather than recreating these historical images, Maclean offers a contemporary interpretation, creating a thoughtful dialogue between Swaine's origins and its continued evolution.

Her fascination with flowers is equally evident across the collection.

"I love painting flowers and all the tiny details they contain. They're decorative, full of movement and colour, and they naturally became part of these pieces."

Each illustration is painted entirely by hand using specialist leather acrylics, carefully layered to preserve both colour and durability while maintaining the supple character of Swaine's bridle leather.

Although now based in London, Maclean continues to draw inspiration from the Scottish countryside where she grew up.

"The place that inspires me most is home in Scotland. Especially in May, when the rhododendrons are in bloom and the whole garden is filled with colour. That's where so much of my work begins."

The result is a collection where every brushstroke reflects a shared appreciation for craftsmanship, storytelling and enduring design. Limited to just five individually hand-painted pieces, Diana Maclean for Swaine celebrates the meeting of two British makers, united by a commitment to artistry, heritage and objects created to last for generations.