Celebrating football beyond tribalism
1863 is a self-initiated clothing project that reimagines the forgotten uniforms of football, the teams that disappeared after the Football Association’s formation. These clubs, once rich in history and tradition, have long since vanished from the game, their identities erased from collective memory.
The brand’s purpose is to celebrate these lost teams through contemporary apparel, creating shirts that honour football’s early culture while moving away from the tribalism of modern fandom. Instead of supporting one club against another, 1863 invites all fans to unite behind the shared heritage of the sport itself.
Designing history into the present
I created the visual identity and creative direction for the brand, grounding it in heritage-inspired design language that feels modern yet respectful of its roots. Alongside concept development and storytelling, I began teaching myself to sew, producing early prototypes of shirts to bring ideas to life.
1863 now serves as a creative exploration into the intersection of sport, history, and design, reviving forgotten clubs not just as merchandise, but as cultural artefacts that celebrate the enduring spirit of football.
