Highlights – Day 1 London Collections: Men
Words: Violet
ORLEBAR BROWN
Our first presentation of the day saw the fashion industry step straight into the jungle at Orlebar Brown, complete with guests sipping on coconut water in and amongst the steamy room. Short shorts were the name of the game this morning with tropical print swimwear in a host of greens and turquoise., The collection depicted the Juxtaposition of the urban and the tropical jungle, with a flamingo print t shirt going straight to the top of our wish list as well as a pair of slim fit chinos over in the urban jungle side of the collection.
HARDY AMIES
Drawing from Sir Hardy himself the collection exuded traditional aesthetics with contemporary functionality – ideal for the modern day Gentleman.
Formal wear was faultless in textural indigos, French Navy and bursts of chocolate brown. With the more casual aspects of the collection kept neutral with cream jumpers, brown bomber jackets and leather monk straps.
If we HAD to chose our favourite pieces (trust us it’s almost impossible), then we’d have to go for the blue checked suit with bright trench coat, but we’d take a pair of the velvet slippers too!
It may only be day 1, but this is sure to be a hard-y collection to beat. (‘Scuse the pun)
Things took a very fashionable turn at the Mr Hare presentation, with a total black out.
MR HARE
Serving much needed rum cocktails as an early afternoon pick me up, a live band played whilst models stood as still as statues for the whole presentation. The oversized trousers and loose jackets are sure to be adorning the fash packs of shoreditch and hoxton, but for the readers of TGJ we think you, like us, will instead be opting for the more demure, heritage inspired houndstooth trousers. Those wishing to take just a pinch of the edginess should go for the stunning black wool over coat with quilted leather sleeves.
This collection definitely isn’t one for the subtle man, but the beautifully made leather shoes are sure to be a hit come AW14.
XANDER ZHOU
Xander Zhou transporter us the future as models appeared from a lava-like wall to sound of modern beats.
The coat dominated the first half of the runway as the boys walked the runway in knee length wool coats in reds, blues and blacks. The footwear leaved a lot to be desired with models clad in either platformed trainers or furry slippers (think the novelty bear feet slippers you may have owned as a child).
Sadly for TGJ, the collection seemed a little too fashion forward for the gentlemen amongst us – we think we’ll just stick to the polo necks for now.
LEE ROACH
We knew we’d be in for a treat as we took our seats at the Lee Roach show, and the effortlessly cool designer sure pulled it out of the bag. With a simple colour palette of black, khaki and cream the structured, minimalist look is definitely one to covert come AW14. Front row include the likes of street-fashionable Tinie Tempah.
By Holly Macnaghten
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