Birds of North America X Neil MacCormick 'Turner's' Tee

The cutest cropped tees have come in from Birds of North America in collaboration with artist Neil MacCormick. Neil has painted full time since 1984 and co-owns Birds of North America with his partner, designer Hayley Gibson. The two have shared a studio since meeting in 2006.

Notes from Hayley Gibson:

Turner’s was a convenience store in Victoria, BC, where I grew up, that was situated near the Royal Jubilee Hospital in a unique pie shaped building with a rounded front angle on it. The building was owned by a man named Mr. Turner, and his son, Ian, had a little cafe just beside
the convenience store called, unsurprisingly, ‘Ian’s’. Though I never went into the convenience store, the beautiful ‘Turner’s’ sign is synonymous to me with Ian’s cafe next door, where I have very fond memories of eating a slice of pie with my Dad when I was a child.

I don’t know why we were at Turner’s that day - it was a very unusual thing to be out just with my Dad, and to get a sweet treat on top of it. He was a guy who always loved greasy spoons, hearty, home-cooked food, and an unpretentious atmosphere, and I remember Ian’s fitting the bill perfectly for this. There were old curtains in the window that always seemed to be half closed and old fashioned diner-style stools along the counter with a few pies displayed under glass domes.

Having a lifelong sweet tooth, the place stuck in my mind after that visit like a beacon for the comfort of delicious pie, and also the presence of someone whose attention and company I craved. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that pie is one of my favourite things to eat
as an adult - I would draw a line directly back to this experience.

Turner’s had recently closed when Neil moved to Victoria in 1989, but it was just around the corner from where he moved to, and he noticed it early on. ‘It was such a cool, round front building, with the sign wrapping around the curve of the building. It used to be lit up, and
was still lit up at night, even after it closed. It had a beautiful blue light at the back of the sign which lit the wall and cast everything into a blue glow behind the lettering. It was a beautiful sign.’

Sizing Notes: These tees fit slightly on the larger size. About a size larger than the Bird's classic size chart suggests. If you like traditional Birds sizing, we recommend ordering 1 size down or stick to your usual size for a more relaxed fit. 

Extra fit tip:  if you have a favourite classic tee at home, and you'd like the same fit, just lay it flat and measure across the chest to find the closest equivalent in the chart at the end of the photos!

Hayley is 5'7" and wears size S Cropped Black tee, and Neil is 6'1" and wears size L Classic White tee

100% Organic Cotton Jersey Milled in Toronto (Medium Weight)

Machine Wash & Tumble Dry

The classic tees will shrink 1" total in length with a wash and dry, and the cropped tees will shrink just 1/2" total. We haven't found there to be any width shrinkage with washing and drying.

Made in Toronto, ON

When you shop at Victoire, you're supporting independent designers and Canada's garment industry. This garment is designed by Hayley Gibson and proudly manufactured in Canada. Hayley has been making and designing clothes since 2007 and it's because of customers like you that her label can thrive!