MAN - London Collections: Men

This season the MAN show on the Topman showspace brought us three designers with very distinguishable styles and influences. 

ASTRID ANDERSEN

Kicking off the LCM trend for American sportswear, the logo-emblazoned collection was made up of large, slouchy sweatsuits, denim and fur jackets - a look borrowed from the dominant clothing choice of the 90's hip hop culture but in bold gold, lavender and teal hues with models sporting a metallic lip. 

   

 

CRAIG GREEN

With a highly conceptual approach to design, newcomer Craig Green's collection brought to mind the aftermath of a bonfire at night. Over-lapping planks of wood became masks casting large shadows over the models, and teamed with effective layering of crinkled satins (resembling glistening burnt charcoal), waxed cottons and patchworks of knitwear, the designer's theme was established. With an unrefined edge, this was definitely a stand out collection in black, navy and cream tones. 

 

 

AGI & SAM

The British countryside arrived at LCM in contrasting primary colours and kitsch prints complete with the ultimate accessory of the season - hound dogs. Consisting of padded gillets, thick ribbed jumpers and long hunting coats typically associated with the farming gentleman but with a splash of eccentric humour and whimsical charm. Topping this off were genius wellington boot coverings for brogues. Who said smart shoes aren't practical?

 
 
 
 
 

Images sourced from: Style.com, Fashion156.com and GQ.

Topman Design - London Collections: Men

For AW13 the team over at Topman are taking us back to Britain's early days of exploration. Here we witness the journey of an explorer who first embarks on his new adventure equipped in practical outdoorsy clothing and hiking boots coloured in stone. As new discoveries unfold he becomes infused with rich saffrons and burgundys, unravelling the evolution into a cultured man. At the end of the collection, our traveller finally returns home in navy signifying a refined man. 

Awash with neatly rolled fisherman hats, and featuring cropped jackets with voluminous high necks also spotted in the other men's collections, I'd say next winter's trends are right here. 

Images sourced from: Fashion156.com

Lou Dalton - London Collections: Men

Kicking off the year's long awaiting list of fashion events comes London Collections: Men back with a second helping after last season's success.

Sadly, I will not be physically present during the 3 days of men's fashion but I will be posting coverage of my best sartorial picks for the season ahead.

Day one saw the aesthetically classic Lou Dalton start off the show schedule with an ethereal collection referencing the working class. The airy blurs of differentiating charcoal, blue and grey shades were stamped upon with the occasional hard slick of oil and traditional tartan in oversized utilitarian and sharply cut wool pieces, resulting in a simple but contradicting and wearable collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image source: Diary of a Clotheshorse

Happy 2013!

The last week or two has sped by with all the festive partying, eating, drinking and spending some quality time with the family. And as we look back on 2012 it was no doubt a difficult year for many. But there's no point in dwelling on that - we have to move forward.
Forget about making "new year's resolutions" - it's pointless, no-one ever commits to them. It's just about making a decision of how successful we want to make this year.

I say this year we should be true to ourselves and not settle for less; work hard and seize every opportunity. And of course make the effort to look your best so you can feel your best. If ever in doubt for a little style inspiration keep checking here - The Urban Refinery.

Here's to making this a memorable year! ;)