This week saw the launch of London's first official menswear fashion week. As I've said on various occasions, London has always pioneered a cultural and visual fashion aesthetic that has set trends alight across the globe. To see the BFC embracing this in 2012 can be perceived as a cultural and progressive shift embracing the talents of artists and designers that has previously only been showcased in the dregs/final/overlap days of the bi-annual fashion week calendars.
In support of LONDON: COLLECTIONS, run by a committee headed by GQ Editor Dylan Jones that includes Tom Ford, Christopher Bailey, David Furnish, Mr Porter's Jeremy Langmead and Tim Blanks of Style.com, the London College of Fashion presented LCFM, a brand new initiative showcasing new collections from emerging menswear designers (all LCF alumni). The SS13 collections of three incredible designers, Asger Juel Larsen, Domingo Rodriguez and Matteo Molinari were presented on Friday evening in the haunting surroundings of the Vaults at the Royal Society of Arts.
The static display of work by talented luxury accessories designer Oliver Ruuger, whose pieces push the boundaries between product and sculpture were also on show.
Personal highlights include the plastic jumpsuit and jacket from Asger Juel Larsen and the white tank-top and knitted t-shirt from Domingo Rodriguez. Images via Chris Moore of catwalking.com.
You can watch the show again on the LCFM website - www.lcfm.co.uk.
Nik Thakkar is a creative brand strategist, writer and presenter. Founder of pop couture blog KARLISMYUNKLE.COM and Director at brand consultancy, Nephew London.