London Collections: Men, Day 2

Day 2 of London Collections: Men featured shows from Martine Rose, Richard James, Sibling, Vivienne Westwood, Burberry, Nicole Fahri, Aitor Throup, Jonathan Saunders, Savile Row, Mr. Hare, RAKE, Oliver Spencer, and James Long.

My favourite collections from the day were Christopher Shannon, Margaret Howell, YMC and Alexander McQueen.

YMC Autumn/Winter 2013

Shades of blue may be currently a Spring/Summer trend, but YMC is proposing that this colour be brought into the Autumn/Winter season... a bold move I say. But, luckily YMC have proven a point that blue should not be overlooked in the cooler months, if in the right shades and worn in a colour coordinated outfit - the teals with brown and the navy with darker reds and greys are perfect. On a sour note, I do not appreciate the berets...

Margaret Howell Autumn/Winter 2013

Margaret Howell is one of my favourite minimalist designers, and I am not disappointed with this collection. She manages to stay to her calming aesthetic, and does not dull with the use of medium browns and chalky greys. A dynamic dimension is present within the collection, most likely due to the choice of textured materials and subtle patterns.

Christopher Shannon Autumn/Winter 2013

Undoubtedly one of my favourite London fashion designers, this Central St Martins graduate is a pioneer in the future of men's fashion. The use of panelling and choice of different textured materials in most of the garments overshadow the fact that these garments are merely simply sweaters, pants and windbreakers. I find it astounding to see such a designer turn once mundane garments into symbols of contemporary men's fashion.

Alexander McQueen Autumn/Winter 2013

Alexander McQueen's vision is once again embodied through the faithful Sarah Burton's collection for the brand. The clash of cathedral prints, blinding reds and sombre dark panels in the tailoring come together and create an almost understated collection. There is something about this collection that exudes a sense of "peaceful darkness"...

Images courtesy of Fashionising

London Collections: Men Day 1

Image courtesy of London Collections: Men

Following the release of the Pre-Fall/Winter campaigns by designers and labels worldwide, the first Fashion Week of the year has just started - The British Fashion Council presents London Collections: Men. This event gives a chance for the best of  established, luxury and recently graduated fashion designers to showcase their collections to myriad of media, bloggers, buyers and celebrities.

The first day packed shows from Hackett London, John Smedley, MAN, Hunter Gather, Fashion East, Orlebar Brown, Hentsch Man and Meadham Kirchhoff. My favourite collections from the day included Lou Dalton, Richard Nicoll, Mr. Start, Lee Roach and Topman.

Lou Dalton Autumn/Winter 2013

Lou Dalton's collections have always been for the unconventional man, who prizes minimal and eccentric fashion as his choice of wear. The clean lines and tailored fits of the garments are made eccentric with the choice of material such as creased silk and a modern take on British heritage patterns such as tartan.

Richard Nicoll Autumn/Winter 2013

Boldness and confidence are needed to pull off the intriguing garments from Richard Nicoll's latest collection. Only a man with the right personality can carry these looks with ease, so no, this collection is not for every man, but if you're brave enough, I say go for it.

Mr. Start Autumn/Winter 2013

A contemporary approach to timeless men's fashion is taken by Mr. Start, with classic tailored garments modernized by matte muted colours such as ox blood, olive green and navy blue. Details are not overlooked in this collection, the simple placement of leather panels on gloves, missing buttons and a glowing zipper only enhancing the beauty of the clothes.

Lee Roach Autumn/Winter 2013

Sleek, discreet minimalism is abundant in Lee Roach's latest collection. The soft hum of crisp whites, humble greens and striking black harmonize to create a collection for the future man. Once again, material choice is key in this collection - nylon, neoprene and suede adding depth to the seemingly simple clothes.

Topman Design Autumn/Winter 2013

Topman are courageous to release a collection so focused on colours not usually associated with the cooler months - prime example being the bright orange, but, there is no doubt that this collection may be one of the best so far. The desert sun inspired colour choices create the illusion of warmness, which are of course actualized by the wools in the sweaters and jumpers and the rugged masculinity of the clothing. 

On a final note: The live stream of the show was one of the first to use 360 camera vision available to online viewers worldwide, and the chance to tweet magazine editors in the front row, as you can see below I had a conversation with one of Steve Salter from i-D magazine. I must say I was starstruck!

Images courtesy of Fashionising, Twitter and London Collections: Men

Before the Winter Cold

 It may be sweltering here in Sydney, but the look books of the upcoming Pre-Fall/Winter 2013 collections has got me eager and ready for the change of season. The look books also give us all an informed view on how fashion will once again change this year, and have been released in anticipation of the upcoming fashion weeks, the first being London Collections: Men. My favourite Pre-Fall/Winter 2013 collections are from Belstaff, Louis Vuitton and Burberry Prorsum.

Belstaff Pre-Fall/Winter 2013

Belstaff's latest collection stays true to its heritage whilst adding contemporary details such as stitch patterned reptilian leather on bags and the tightening of the lower legs of the pants. Classic styles of trenches and jackets  are made dynamic by the dark colour hue and ultimately adds a hyper masculine quality to the collection as a whole, a turn from the soft colours last season.

Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall/Winter 2013

Louis Vuitton's latest collection encompasses a lot of pieces both effeminate, e.g. embroidered floral shirts and neckerchieves, and masculine, e.g. aviator sunglasses and structured quilted jackets, and when worn together equates to a collection for every man.

Burberry Prorsum Pre-Fall/Winter 2013

Romeo Beckham may be stealing the world over for the Burberry Spring/Summer 2013 campaign, but in my honest opinion, Burberry Prorsum's Pre-Fall/Winter 2013 campaign is much more captivating. The abundance of ox blood, patent leather and speckled paint print is a calmer, less exuberant move away from the bright metallics  this season.

Images courtesy of Fashionising

Dior leads the New Year of Fashion

There is no doubt the release of Raf Simons' debut ready-to-wear collection for Dior is one of the most anticipated for the Spring/Summer season. His collection led the way for other brands and designers, grasping a dictatorial hold on upcoming trends such as stilettos, neck scarves, capris pants and silk skirts. The runway show was a minimal spectacle, showing off Raf's distinguishable aesthetic, and the campaign, released today, only adds to the beauty of the collection and is essentially a look book reflecting the runway show.

The campaign perfectly presents the pieces from the collection by highlighting these pieces, rather than the models. Raf Simons has unleashed the new Dior woman, and she is unstoppable.

Images courtesy of Styleite