We first met Hayden to talk shop back in 2021 as part of our Change Makers series. Now three years on Hayden has moved to working full time with his brand ‘Champion Knives’ leaving behind his career of 25 years in the culinary world. 

Hayden’s efforts on continually developing his technique, his knowledge and purpose have seen the brand evolve over the years. All created with use in mind, the knives range from hand forged everyday kitchen workhorses to knives that could be treated as works of art themselves, with feather pattern folded steel and  reclaimed native timber handles. It’s a never-ending journey mixed with the harsh truths of working with what at times can be delicate material and the limitless of the imagination. 

That balance of practicality verse style is something that we work to constantly when designing clothes and picking fabrics. Knives and clothing intersecting as products that look as good as they feel and allow you to get on with the task at hand.