James Long - London Collections: Men AW 13

 

James Long's Autumn Winter 2013 collection took the established preconception of casual sportswear and turned it on its head. From the elasticated trouser legs that accompanied every look to the embellished hoodies and rubberised plaid macs, there was a sense of playfulness that created a contemporary and wearable silhouette. Long's signature knits were also prominent, the way he cleverly created incredibly detailed 'visual terrains' in his knitwear was deeply satisfying. Long's new spin on the classic bomber jacket featured geometric padding and quilting fused with knitted sleeves.

Then there were the nods to John Waters, pink flamingos and one of his most iconic characters, Divine. There was a real sense of excitement when those all-too-familiar arched eyebrows were seen emblazoned on raglan sleeved jumpers and sweatshirts. These glamorous motifs were a stark contrast to the dark, mood colour palette they were rendered in.

His attention to detail and vast experiments with fabric and technique again proved why James Long is a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry. Seeing him at the end of the show in one of the rubberised macs from the collection was a nice touch, a great sign that he believes in the work he showcased.


Images via: HommeModel

Milan Fashion Week - Neil Barrett SS 2013

Neil Barrett’s Spring Summer 2013 collection embodied the athletic, manly man. Baseball jerseys,  slouchy sweatshirts, and baggy shorts gave the show a relaxed youthful feel. Barrett chose a palette of rich shades of indigo and purple, earthy browns and deep blacks.  The degraded pinstripe prints added texture and depth to suits and shirts. Highlights from the show included lush pony hair slip-ons and iridescent leather jackets, echoing the metallic trend that’s swept menswear collections for Summer 2013. Tailored trousers with satin stripes on the front rather than on the side breathed new life into classic tuxedo trousers. Barrett’s collection again proved that he’s got his finger on the pulse of the sports luxe trend.

London Collections: Men - Lou Dalton SS 2013

The beauty of Lou Dalton’s Summer/Spring 2013 collection was it’s simplicity. That being said, every cut and stitch was precise and considered creating a look that was both wearable and functional. The muted colour palette of icy blues, crisp whites, beiges and navy only emphasised Dalton’s high level of craftsmanship. Accents of neon green and maroon complimented the refined silhouette of the Dalton man. The underlying ethos of tailored pieces juxtaposed with the sports-luxe aesthetic was cleverly employed throughout the collection. This is most evident in the mesh panelled jackets and the trainers paired with the well constructed trousers and slim fitted shorts. Dalton’s collection started the first London Collections: Men with a dignified bang, once again showing her passion and obsession for sophisticated menswear.