Claire Robertson-Macleod designs clothes that reflect a particular state of mind. “I’ve always wanted Tank Air to embody the attitude of my mom, my aunts, my grandma. They’re all confident, funny, strong and kind women.” This ethos is fused into the very fabric of Claire’s designs, which have been flaunted by a decorated list of clientele including Kiko Mizuhara, Bella Hadid, the Kardashians, Olivia Rodrigo and more.
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Born to a Thai mother and British father, Claire grew up in a juxtaposition of seemingly contradictory identities. “I have always felt a push and pull between Thai and Western cultures”, she explains, recounting a struggle that is all too familiar for a third culture kid. When in Thailand, Claire felt as though she was never quite “Thai” enough. Growing up in Hong Kong allowed Claire to discover a more concrete sense of self. “I always feel that Hong Kong was such a special place where I was kind of able to figure out where I stood between these two cultures [British and Thai]”.
With Hong Kong in the mix, Claire had a third outlook to consider, one that shaped and influenced her as a person and, in turn, her creative vision and Tank Air. “I almost have like three perspectives that kind of blend together and separate apart. Each piece I design speaks to one, two, or all three at the same time”. One of her favourite pieces she’s created, the Mai Thai, encapsulates this very sentiment. The style was inspired by a Thai sabai, a traditional top or shawl that wraps around the body and drapes over one shoulder. In true Tank Air form, Claire crafted the bodysuit with a close-fit silhouette that clings to the body, while the strappy, shoulder-baring design nods to the traditional Thai garment it was inspired by.
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The best-selling Romeo bodysuit is a form-fitting bike-short unitard finished with delicate, ruched detailing on the bust. With many designs featuring a slinky, bodycon profile, Claire took great care to ensure that each piece offered a seamless fit for every body. She would experiment with different cuts of the same design, often reworking pieces extensively to ensure that the final fit was exactly as envisioned. “My pattern maker wanted to kill me. But I never regret investing in the development and the fit.” With such a streamlined collection and no brick-and-mortar store to try anything on, the fit was key – as were fabrics – to create truly elevated pieces with wide appeal.
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“Most of my fabrics are deadstock and sourced locally in Los Angeles”, Claire explains. “I just want to put as little waste as possible into the world”. For knitwear, she works with a factory in Hong Kong. “Every piece starts off using the highest quality upcycled fabrics I can find”. Case in point: the Plumeria Mini Dress is crafted from a delicate modal-silk blend and hand-painted by Claire herself, while the Lotus Mini Skirt and Hot Mesh Top are spun from a cashmere and silk yarn for a buttery soft feel finished with a subtle sheen.
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A perfect fit, luxe, silky fabrics, and bold, empowering designs cement Tank Air as a brand with lasting power in today’s transient fashion industry. But Claire always had one priority for Tank Air that transcends the tangible. “The finished product is never the physical garment itself. It’s when the customer puts on the clothes and thinks ‘Oh, I feel good’”. This feeling and Claire’s desire to pour her heart into her creations tie back in to how family and tradition influence her designs, a notion furthered by her most recent collection, “Tank Air Is Family”.
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Taking 7 months off, Claire was temporarily based in Bangkok to help take care of her family. “Being close to them again really helped to recentre the brand’s purpose and identity”, Claire explains. Captured by her close friend Erika Kamano, the campaign was inspired by Japanese photographer Masahisa Fukase and his portraits of his family. For Claire, this collection was almost autobiographical in a sense, an homage to her family, her flesh and blood. “The complexities, the pressure, the love, the support, the matriarchy.”
The first release of Tank Air’s “Tank Air is Family” collection is out now, with 1-2 new products dropping each month for the rest of the year
Editor
Carina FischerCredit
Photo: Erika Kamano