The image of a pearl brings to mind a tiny, precious object, protected from the elements by a tough shell. Nestled on England’s south coast, sheltered by its famous stone ‘Cobb’ sea wall, the picture-perfect little seaside town of Lyme Regis more than earns the nickname The Pearl of Dorset.

The symbolism of the pearl and discovering hidden, fascinating items is also relevant to Lyme Regis, geologically located on the Jurassic Coast – a trove of prehistoric fossils. As much a symbol of the town as the Cobb, an ammonite even features on the town’s lampposts.

As well as offering a window into the ancient past, Lyme Regis is also steeped in more recent literary history. The famous Cobb features in Jane Austen’s literary classic Persuasion and in John Fowles’ novel The French Lieutenant’s Woman, the 1981 film adaptation of which was partly filmed in Lyme Regis. This romantic literary association, the imagery of discovery and intrigue, and the tempestuous seas being held at bay by the sturdy stone Cobb make the town a truly special setting.

‘Lyme Regis is the ideal backdrop,’ says Gieves & Hawkes creative director John Harrison. ‘As a contemporary British brand, the dramatic shores of Lyme Regis showcase our exciting new collection perfectly while the area’s seafaring past is a welcome nod to our own unique naval roots.’

Many items in the collection proudly sport a crown motif, based on one from a naval officer’s button discovered in the G&H archives, dating back to its beginnings in the 1770s, making uniforms for the British Army and Royal Navy. The brand shares its naval heritage with Lyme Regis: one of the town’s most famous sons is naval hero Admiral Sir George Somers, who founded the colonial settlement of the Somers Isles – now known as Bermuda.

The town has not only provided great men for the Navy, but also its ships at one time too. The shelter provided by the Cobb gave a perfect environment for shipbuilding, and between 1780 and 1850, nearly 100 ships were launched.

The naval influence can clearly be seen in the rugged-but-tailored clothing of the latest collection, and the photographs speak of a town sheltered from the sea by the Cobb – as G&H’s clothes elegantly shelter their wearers – with the wind picking up and the swell beginning to rise.

gievesandhawkes.com