Thursday 9th: LCM: The Highlights

Matthew Miller, London, Fall14

Xander Zhou, London, Fall14

Lee Roach, London, Fall14

Richard Nicoll, London, Fall14

J.W. Anderson, London, Fall14

 Kay Kwok, London, Fall14

Casely-Hayford, London, Fall14

Agi & Sam, London, Fall14

Over the three days of London Collections: Men, these were the highlights for me. I find the city such a lovely place to be, during any Fashion Week. And I love the way that males put a comparative effort into their wardrobe for this special week of the year, next to women.

Fashion East was also an incredible installation - so definitely check that out! Dont panic - Fashion Week will be home again soon.

Monday 6th: LCM: Three Days of Menswear

I think for many people over the years Womenswear has been the attraction to the industry, like it initially was for me. Through my eyes, Menswear now generates a similar amount of popularity - and the Menswear Collections particularly over recent seasons have become noticeably more interesting. 

I think upon looking at Menswear Fashions, especially brands London you also see a blurring between Menswear and Womenswear. The silhouette, the print, the pattern, and layering are becoming points of interest and areas for experimentation and it makes Fashion for men that more playful. Even though some males stay miles away from these garments, they allow Menswear to become so varied whilst
allowing the customer the freedom to show his character as well as an interest in Fashion.

Agi & Sam - the Katrantzou Duo of Mesnwear. This Design Duo when I first saw them quickly became one of my favourite brands. To me they're similar to Katrantzou as both have a very effective use of colour and pattern, however lay them on beautifully structured garments. Their layering is very effective, and something I attempt to emulate in my own wardrobe. 

Agi & Sam, London, Spring13

I don't think at this moment in time you can do a post about Menswear without mentioning J.W. Anderson. Honestly I think there are a large amount of Men - particularly outside of the M25 who would never dream of wearing some of Anderson's creation, however I also think for a certain type of Male he couldn't do better. For myself, I am one of those that would kill for the entire Collection and I cannot wait to see what he has done this Season.

J.W. Anderson, London, Fall13

Richard Nicoll's Collection is another I cannot wait to see. For only a brand new designer with regards to Menswear, as this is only his Fourth collection, he has generated a huge amount of positivity and possibly a new focus for Nicoll and a new direction for his brand. The garments shown in his first and last couple of collections to me seemed to show such an ease to wear, they seemed to have this magic that showed an interest in Fashion and Clothing whilst still being very simple. As well as beautifully graphically clean. I can't wait to see the updates on his latest journey.

Richard Nicoll, London, Fall13

Those are my current favourites - although even a mental list is so hard to come up with, there're just too many. Others I'm constantly looking at are Christopher Shannon, Lee Roach, Fashion East Installations, and Xander Zhou.  

5th December: The White Shirt

I think everyone will agree that sometimes student designs can be quite outrageous- ah-mazing, but outrageous. I undertook a role last year which enabled me to complete the dressing at Central Saint Martins for The White Show. I think the example garments I had to use were a perfect example of this!

I think you'll also agree that there is a bit of a hype surrounding Menswear at the moment. Making men who want to dress in a contemporary way - like myself - so extremely happy, however making other males either extremely nervous to wear/buy, and the rest are simply amused and or repulsed! J.W. Anderson for me demonstrates the topic I thought about whilst modelling this White Shirt for a friends final photos. For me Anderson is developing a Menswear look which makes the gap between menswear and womenswear far more blurred. A look which I love. Every Mens collection I'd cut my own hand off to have! Thinking about it Lanvin's last few collections are also branching into this aesthetic of Menswear.

For me a White Shirt is a huge part of my wardrobe, I must own eight or nine...I probably always look like I'm going to work - however is such a basic component, and one which I always employ without fail. This particular white shirt designed by Katie Asbury (Fashion Design Marketing, LCF) I think breaks into the same realm that Anderson - and many others - are working inside, an interesting thing to wear for us males. Showing an interest in contemporary fashion, whilst separating yourself from every other man sporting a Shirt. Hopefully this one will be in my wardrobe within the next few weeks - whether Katie knows about it or not. 

(Photos borrowed from Parize Photography, White Shirt by Katie Asbury)