As London Men’s jam-packed fashion showcase just came to an end, we at Distinct wish to share our DISTINCT fashion eye with you on our favourite looks and most memorable moments from the intense, heart-palpitating 3 days that had me reaching into my [not-so-deep] pockets and already visualising my AW14 ensembles. If you are currently naive to the new collections, here are our fave fashion highlights from some of the central designers’ collections, to save you traipsing through each individual one in search of your 2014 wardrobe inspiration.
OUR FAVE LOOKS:
JOHNATHON SAUNDERS
To our absolute delight Johnathon Saunders unveiled his new knitwear collection with prominent indie brand Lyle & Scott. Saunders had his beautiful boys pose in a stiff installation-style display over a customary catwalk show.
MARKS & SPENCER
As someone who can safely say the only thing I have ever bought in M&S is food, oh and an umbrella once, I was pleasantly amazed by their runway debut. Some of these looks are genuinely delicious. Who knew? The collection showcases quality, quintessentially British men’s tailoring, and, unlike the sweeping majority of the other collections, its all at prices the general population can afford. Perhaps soon on our dash up Grafton St. looking for Saturday night’s outfit M&S will become an essential pitstop?
BURBERRY
Arguably the anchor brand of LCM, Christopher Bailey made a clear statement that he is the innovative design god the brand needs as he took an edgier approach to his Burberry Prorsum AW14 collection than he did in Spring. Securing the cape-scarf as a key piece of our winter wardrobes this year, the collection was a stunning mix of edgy-chic that I would only die to get my hands on. The bags. Oh how I need the bags.
TOPMAN
The highly anticipated high street brand didn’t disappoint in delivering another show stopping presentation of their new collection as the boys walked down the runway through puddles as it rained down on their beauty from a sprinkler installation above. Confirming Lou Dalton’s earlier exhibition of the same day, our outerwear this season needs to be handsomely oversized yet fitted. The FROW (which included massive fashion ‘it’ faces David Gandy, Jack Guinness and Nick Grimshaw among others) were treated to structured PVC, duffle coats, statement knit pieces and a whole lotta red.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
Sarah Burton appears to be paying tribute to the iconic brand’s original founder with hints of his signature dark and controversial elements apparent throughout this season’s collection. The models head’s were draped with black feathers and they bore a dark, smouldering eye, reminiscent of a (safer) take on the brands’s infamous ‘Asylum’ show in 2001. This collection instantly reminded me of why I have often cited the designer as one of my uncontested favourites. The brand is unparalleled at perfecting gothic-chic. The men’s AW14 collection offered tartan suits, leather trenches and sheepskin coats, all in an entirely monochromatic palette.
J.W. ANDERSON
Kicking off day 2 with an early 9am start, our very own Irish J.W. Anderson definitely managed to commence the London fashion-goers day with a bang. Post-show stating that gender specific clothing is a ‘dated concept’, androgyny was the core theme yet again throughout Anderson’s designs. The men walked in patent platform heels and subtly introduced his secretary s&m theme. The men of Dublin in recent years have undoubtedly embraced fashion in a massive way, yet I doubt even the bravest of most modern men would unashamedly embrace this collection. Saying that, along with Burberry, its still probably my favourite collection of the three days. In true Anderson style the clothes were stunningly chic, with simple structured shapes and fitted, cut-off high-waisted ankle trousers. I find myself daydreaming about walking through the streets of Paris head-to-toe in this collection like a simplistic, chic, haute couture fashion god. Oh, some day…
Watch the London Collections: Men J.W. Anderson AW14 show here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3953Woot8k
Post by Rob Kenny