What started as an emergency screen-printing job has grown into a distinctive Falkland Islands clothing brand with a strong local identity.
In the summer of 2023, Jamie Peck launched Birds of Winter, a clothing brand born from a simple question: what would I actually want to wear if I were visiting the Falklands, or living here?
Although many people know Jamie for his artistic work, his academic background is in printmaking. Several years ago, he was approached by a local business that needed urgent screen-printing support. While producing a batch of souvenir-style shirts, he realised there was a gap in the market. Plenty of products celebrated the Falklands, but few combined local inspiration with thoughtful design, quality branding, and clothing that people would genuinely want to wear beyond their visit.
That idea stayed with him. Over the winter of 2022/23, Jamie began developing designs for what would become Birds of Winter. Determined to produce the garments himself, he sourced screens from a UK supplier and built his own printing table and exposure unit, allowing him to transfer his original artwork directly onto screens for production. He also ordered blank garments ready for printing and spent months preparing for launch.
When the first stock arrived, production began on a small scale. Limited resources meant Jamie couldn’t purchase large quantities, but he believed in the concept and was confident there was demand for a fresh take on Falklands-inspired clothing. Once the first garments were completed, he approached local businesses about stocking the range. The summer of 2023 marked Birds of Winter’s first season on sale.
Following a successful launch, Jamie began looking at ways to expand. To supply retailers more effectively and continue developing the brand, he needed to increase stock levels, introduce new designs, and offer customers a wider choice of colours and styles. Achieving that growth required investment during the quieter winter months, long before summer sales would begin.
To help bridge that seasonal gap, Jamie approached FIDC in 2024 for both financial support and business guidance. Through a business loan provided during the winter and spring period, Birds of Winter was able to invest in larger quantities of quality garments, expand its product range, and prepare for future growth. The support also helped Jamie better understand realistic sales projections and strengthen his plans for supplying local retailers.
Today, Birds of Winter continues to build on its original vision: creating locally designed clothing that captures the spirit of the Falkland Islands while offering a style people are proud to wear.
