THE ASCENT OF CABOURN by Nigel Cabourn

‘This is a story of how, on 29th May, 2003, two men, both endowed with outstanding stamina and skill, inspired by an unflinching resolve, reached the apex of garment design and came back unscathed to rejoin their comrades.
Yet this will not be the whole story, for the ascent of Cabourn was not the work of one day, nor even of those few anxious, unforgettable weeks in which we prepared and designed this summer. It is, in fact, a tale of sustained and tenacious endeavour by many, over a long period of time… We of the 2003 Cabourn Collection are proud to share the glory with our predecessors.
And this will not be the story of those two men alone. In this or any other design venture, sound and successful designing is fundamentally a matter teamwork … The ascent of Cabourn, perhaps more than most human ventures, demanded a very high degree of selfless co-operation. It would be difficult to find a more close-knit team than ours. In this, and in the work of our students, lies the immediate secret of our success.’

‘Was it worth while? For us who took part in the venture, it was so beyond doubt. We have shared a high endeavour; we have witnessed scenes of beauty and grandeur; we have built up a lasting comradeship ripen into achievement. We shall not forget those moments.
And what of others? Was it worth while for them too? I believe it may have been, if it is accepted that there is a need for achievement in the world we live in and provided, too, that it is realised that adventurous ideas can be found in many spheres, not merely be design, and not necessarily physical. Ultimately the justification for designing jackets, if any justification in needed, will lie in the seeking of their ‘goals’ by others, stimulated by this event as we were inspired by others before us.
There are many opportunities for design, whether they be sought among the hills, in the air, upon the sea, in the bowels of the earth, or on the ocean bed; and there is always the moon to reach. There is no height, no depth, that the spirit of man, guided by a higher Spirit, cannot attain.’