As London Collections Men wraps up, key trends for menswear in 2017 are beginning to emerge from the UK capital. Run by the British Fashion Council, the four-day program of shows, presentations, and installations featured designers such as Aitor Throup, Bobby Abley, Christopher Kane, Cottweiler, Craig Green, Liam Hodges and Oliver Spencer.
Day one of the event saw London label Bobby Abley continue to evolve its larger-than-life sportswear aesthetic, complete with cartoonish prints and flashes of neon pink. But there were also more pared-down looks on show, such as a deep red fur jacket worn open to reveal a statement golden necklace of an insect. Craig Green, winner of this year’s BFC/ GQ Designer Menswear Fund, also tapped into the trend for playfulness, showing a vibrant collection of embroidered jackets and trousers slashed to the knee on the runway, but the real showstopper was a selection of layered parkas featuring folds of striped pastel fabric to create a mesmerizing texture. The vibe continued over at Henry Holland, where one model sported a tracksuit referencing the British kitchen staple Heinz Baked Beanz, with a tongue-in-cheek reworded slogan.
Other brands peddled a cleaner, more minimalist look, with J.W Anderson focusing on crisp tailoring but expressing a more expansive side through accessories such as headdresses and snorkel-style glasses. Agi and Sam injected animal hide prints into the mix to stand out from the crowd and Sibling opted for a louche, Mediterranean vibe with blue-and-white-striped chinos and branded towels worn as garments. Another brand to embrace the Southern European influence was Oliver Spencer, whose collection focused on clean modernist lines inspired by the island of Capri in the 1950s, and the location’s modern architecture jewel Casa Malaparte.—Relaxnews
Model Niall Underwood wears a Versace suit, Ray Ban sunglasses and everything else vintage on day 1 of London Collections Men. (Kirstin Sinclair/Getty Images) On Day 1 of London Collections Men, fashion blogger Erwin Trinidad wears a Burton suit, H and M sunglasses, Zara shirt, and a vintage pocket square outside a show. (Kirstin Sinclair/Getty Images) Oliver Cheshire outside Coach during London Collections Men on June 13, 2016. (Christian Vierig/Getty Images)This article was featured in the InsideHook newsletter. Sign up now.
