At 8am on a winter’s day earlier this year, 198 different nationalities, all resident here in England, met at Greenwich Park – on the meridian line, the centre of the Earth, to take part in the shooting of one of the key images of the new Tailored By England campaign.

We wanted to use the launch of the kit – an iconic symbol of England – to also reflect on what Englishness now means, how the country’s diversity has created a wonderful tapestry of cultures, ethnicities and nationalities. How all these different elements tailor England’s personality and how they are all being tailored by England in some way.

The shoot was far from easy.

First we had to find the people. After weeks of searching and calls to schools, casting agents and open casting calls we managed to find nearly 200 nationalities.

They were invited down to the hill at Greenwich Park – in front of the famous Observatory. There were a couple of no-shows….although we won’t name names…but 198 people turned up ready to don the famous white shirt.

The security around the kit meant that mobile phones were confiscated, metal detectors and airport security systems were brought in keep people from taking photos or sending texts about the kit.
We also had everyone don grey jumpers so that passers by couldn’t take photos.

The shot itself was done several ways – big groups shot, arms folded, arms around each other and then them all running down the hill. All looked pretty good although the arms folded was probably the most compelling.

Spirits remained high all day – not easy when you’re standing in the cold – and in between shots there was not an inconsiderable amount of flirting between  some of our nationalities. Maybe this is how the UN should work?

After making sure people were adequately fed and watered, we spent the afternoon taking individual portraits of everyone.

Finlay Mackay, the fantastic photographer  and his team did an amazing job. His enthusiasm kept the energy levels up and his team made sure that a potential logistical nightmare ended up being a huge success.

The shots themselves are appearing in magazines and newspapers such  as NME, Observer, 442 and Vanity Fair and at places like Euston Station in London. We’re also displaying them at the National Geographic store on Regent’s St in London and for two days from 3rd – 4th April in Trafalgar Sq  London. If you get a chance to go and see them then do – they are an impressive sight.

The portraits and shots that we ended up with are genuinely beautiful They make you realise that England is a melting pot of cultures that influence and mould the society we live in. That the diversity and differences are compelling, optimistic and filled with hope. That here are 198 nations represented as one. And each one, Tailored by England.