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FIELD REPORT : LEWIS WILSON
‘Field Report’ is an editorial series hosted in collaboration with Purple Mountain Observatory and Ali George Hinkins. It seeks to showcase members of the wider creative community in PMO gear in their chosen field, whether a literal field, a modern cityscape, a workshop, or a studio space. We aim to delve deeply into the subject’s interests, outlets, and disciplines, while showcasing the brand’s Spring/Summer ’25 collection, highlighting how it has transcended its outdoor roots.
Each series of Field Report throughout Spring/Summer, will take place in a different UK city, highlighting the variety of talent and creativity in the country. This month’s being Manchester.
For some years, Lewis Wilson, whom I’ll refer to as Wilson from here on, went by the online moniker 114 Index, an Instagram page dedicated to technical outdoor products, and was shrouded in mystery, obscuring his face using a simple Photoshop tool. Alongside Advanced Rock and L.Holl, Wilson was instrumental in forging a space that exists at the cross-section of lifestyle and the outdoors, which would go on to be pigeon-holed as ‘Gorpcore’. Yes, unfortunately, I had to use that cursed G word again.
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, when we were largely confined to being indoors, these three individuals maximised their allotted outdoor time and built communities that shared their passion for all things outdoors, from the best gear to take to the most picturesque wild swimming spots, and what happened in between. What started as a harmless passion to escape the mundanity of his 9-to-5 job slowly began turning into paid Instagram posts, bespoke editorials for Size? and Urban Industry, and strategy work for brands looking to capitalise on this emerging market. Wilson is now using his platform to ‘provide a toolkit to brands that sit somewhere in the performance-lifestyle-functional space, enabling them to elevate their offerings, reach new audiences, and open up functional living to more people.’
Let’s touch base with him and talk at greater length about what 114 Index is, his current ambitions for running – a sport he has recently begun investing more man-hours into – and what he looks for in a piece of functional clothing.
PRODUCT MEETS PEOPLE
PMO: For reference, tell us who you are and what you do.
LW: I’m Wilson. I run 114 Index, and I love weaving style, being active, and an elevated lifestyle together. Essentially, I provide a toolkit to brands that operate in the performance-lifestyle-functional space, enabling them to elevate their offerings, reach new audiences, and expand functional living to a broader audience.
PMO: While its purpose has shifted in recent years, can you tell us what 114 Index is and why you started it? Is it fair to say that you, personally, and 114 Index naturally evolved alongside each other?
LW: It was a means to escape from my day job and invest in a passion until that passion became a viable career. That’s totally it. What started as a way to escape the norm quickly turned into a gateway for me to live a better life through the opportunities that came my way. I’ve definitely evolved alongside 114 Index, for the better, I hope, because I’ve tried a heap of new things and been exposed to stuff that wasn’t ever really on my radar. That’s also what’s kept me passionate about turning it into a career and throwing myself into all these sports to see the return I get from it.
PMO: You do a lot of work with brands of all sizes. How did it flow from 114 Index to working with independent and larger brands?
LW: It was a very natural progression. I started with a lot of unpaid work that I could use as “receipts,” so to speak, to help land bigger budget jobs and build my portfolio. I’ve always been big on nurturing personal relationships before making any business approach, and I think that’s helped a lot.
PMO: As someone working in a creative field, how do your surroundings influence your process? Is there a particular environment that truly helps you get into that flow state?
LW: I’ve always found that the process is a bit muddied most of the time. Quite often, I’ll be stuck with a minor block, and it can feel like the wheels are about to come off. But I think that’s pretty common for creatives. That’s part of why I’ve become so active. Rather than needing a specific environment, I find that being in motion and physically exerting myself keeps things firing nicely.
PMO: While you’ve lived in Manchester, what are some of your most memorable urban and outdoor memories?
LW: It’s been an unreal two years in Manchester so far. Both years have been memorable for a number of reasons, so it’s hard to isolate just one. Thinking back, it’s probably the people I’ve met who mean the most to me.
PMO: As more young people and creatives begin moving to Manchester, what attracted you to make the move from Scotland?
LW: I’d been coming down to Manchester for a couple of years before moving, and I already had a nice social circle cemented. But beyond that, I could really see the creative vision happening in the city and how unapologetically people were pushing their own thing, whatever that was. And no one shoots each other down for it. That kind of environment is incredibly motivating and supportive, making it feel like the perfect place to lay a foundation for something bigger. I’ve been here since 2023, and it’s clear now that others are starting to realise how special this place is.
PMO: Given the rich history of Manchester regarding outerwear and technical clothing, what do you look for in a piece of outerwear?
LW: It’s horses for courses for me. I’m all for having an arsenal of bits that each serve different purposes. It just has to feel nice, though. We all know that moment when you put something on and it just feels right, like you’re meant to be wearing it.
PMO: What is it about functional clothing that you look for, and why do you choose to wear certain pieces as part of your daily uniform?
LW: Again, it comes down to purpose. Having clothing that’s meant for something just scratches an itch, you know? Over time, I’ve built an arsenal of functional gear, knowing that if a situation or activity arises, I’ve the right kit to handle it.
PMO: Following on from this, what does Purple Mountain Observatory do that satisfies your appetite for functional wear?
LW: As much as I’ve talked about purpose and fitting certain needs, sometimes stuff just catches your eye and fits in pretty seamlessly to the current rotation you’re wearing, you know? I’ve been getting about in the Field Jacket quite a bit recently, and as a summer jacket, it’s been great for when an outfit could really do with a jacket, but it’s a bit warm to wear one. The mesh construction almost feels like one of those anti-mosquito jackets for the bush, but I’m just throwing it over a cropped tee and some baggy shorts to sit outside with a pint.
PMO: Let’s talk a little bit about your running. Where are you at with that at the moment, and do you have any race ambitions? From what you show us, you do a lot on the roads, but do you have as much opportunity to get some meaty mileage and vert into your legs on the trails?
LW: Right now, there’s no running at all. I’ve been rehabbing a bunch of injuries for the last eight weeks, which has taken me out of most activities. Goal-wise, I’ve got some unfinished business with a race I had to pull out of because of those injuries, so I’m keeping that in sight and aiming to get back in shape to hit it next year. Summer for me will hopefully be all about trails and elevation.
PMO: What are you looking forward to in the next few months as we fully build into summer? From work projects and events to specific releases you’re eyeing up, and general stuff like festivals.
LW: I’m absolutely itching to get back outside and train as much as I can. Like I said, trails all summer. Maybe even a bit of cycling too, if I can find a bike worth committing to. I’m buzzing for UTMB at the end of August. It’s one of my favourite weeks of the year, and I’m even doing a race there this time. For once, I haven’t booked any festivals yet, but Draaimolen in the Netherlands is definitely on my radar. With Paris Fashion week coming up too, it’ll be good to drop by the PMO showroom as I always do and get an insight into what treats the guys have been cooking up for the Spring/Summer ‘26 season.
PMO: When you’re down the pub, what’s your go-to drink? Whether it’s an all-day session or a quick post-work pint with your mates, has that changed in current times with running?
LW: Always Guinness. It agrees with me a lot more than lager. And yeah, since I started running more, it’s become my go-to because it’s not as gassy. I don’t get the lingering bloat I used to.
Thanks, Wilson, for your time! Head over to his Instagram to follow the rebuild of 114 Index.
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