London Collections Men will enjoy a number of related events organised and hosted by big industry names, including Calvin Klein and Tom Ford. Attendees can look forward to a variety of entertainment such as the requisite catwalks, special fashion displays and presentations, and other shows.

The inspiration for London Collections Men was to show off some of the country’s finest in men’s fashion. Designers such as Christopher Shannon, James Long, and J.W. Anderson are perfect examples of how this area of the fashion world is breaking new ground and garnering high acclaim in international circles. James Long showed off his collection last season, with plenty of inspiration from David Lynch. This season he offers creations that combine natural fabrics with metallic fibres and shiny, hardware embellishments. On the other hand, Shannon debuts his new collection with sporty gear that makes use of logos, prints, and twists on clothing staples such as parkas, anoraks and jeans. Anderson pushed the envelope even further by attempting to see how far one can combine bad taste with good.

Having so much talent readily available, it was about time that British menswear was showcased in an exclusive venue of their own. Undoubtedly, the impressive list of top designers and labels, along with the Prince of Wales as host, will help to create a spectacular launch for London Collections Men.

And now the designer, who was appointed to lead the Alexander McQueen chain after his death, has done it again with a new direction that epitomises fun and feathers, not to mention heel-less shoes. Burton unveiled the new Spring/Summer 2012 collection at Paris Fashion Week recently, in a show that had both a magical and dramatic feel. The show signalled her commitment to the unique and dramatic identity of the brand that McQueen was so famous for and made the label much desired amongst the fashion elite, before he committed suicide in 2010.

For this season the brand seems to be going in the direction of soft layers of fabric and feathers, designed to create movement and drama and coupled with some very characteristic shoes. Heel-less shoes made from skins seem to heavily feature for a dramatic edge to an outfit, aligning with this year’s trend for skin bags. The shoes and the feathers seem to be destined to appear on the likes of Lady Gaga and other stars soon.

Burton initially started working at the company when she did a placement as part of her fashion course in London. She worked alongside McQueen for 14 years, her notable unique style and commitment causing her to rise up the ranks, being made creative director before she took over the reins of the fashion powerhouse following McQueen’s death.

Alexander McQueen set up the label himself after he left Givenchy in 2001, where he had previously worked as Chief Designer. His creations earned him several awards, included British Designer of the Year which he won four times. He was found dead at his home in London in 2010 after committing suicide.

Tote bags for men

This season, men can look forward to totes in chocolate, tan, or black shades of leather, twill or even canvas. Consider where it would most often be used, and pick one to complement your dress style. A smooth, dark leather tote with metal hardware is perfect for dressier looks, while washed leather helps to take the outfit down a notch. Just as important is the durability of the bag. Since weather in the UK tends to be rather rainy at the best of times, look for totes made from water-repellent materials. Some shops also offer water-repellent sprays to help maintain the durability of the bag. Another helpful feature that many designers are now including is a closed top, as opposed to the tote’s traditionally open top. Interior pockets are also excellent for helping to keep the bag’s contents well-organised and undamaged. Instead of having to juggle keys, wallets, business card holders, iPods, phones, the newspaper, food, and so on, slip it all into a tote. Simple, efficient, and effective!

Many of Burberry’s coats and jackets in their winter collections are being described as “polite and charming” by the designer’s chief creative officer Christopher Bailey.

Their collection also epitomised the dichotomy of the country gentleman and the city gentleman. Tailored suits and vintage-inspired trenches are mainstays in the Burberry Prorsum collections. Umbrellas with animal head handles in the shapes of ducks and hounds have a truly British fox hunt feel to them. The same can be said of some of the designs and fabrics being used in their collections.

The collection is meant to be facetious and a bit tongue-in-cheek with some of their designs, including some fabrics with very large-eyed foxes. While there is nothing funny about the quality of a Burberry Prorsum jacket, the light-heartedness seen in some of the designs is a welcome change for this season’s collections.

A previous men’s collection was discontinued in 2002 as the brand chose to focus all its energies on the women’s line, but it has now been determined that the time is right for a dedicated men’s collection. According to Choo co-founder Tamara Mellon, “My vision of the Jimmy Choo man is one who exudes confidence and style whether he is an artist or an investment banker. The first thing I look at on a man is his shoes.”

The first collection, for autumn/winter 2011, offers a wide range of Jimmy Choo mens footwear, with something to excite everyone. There are black leather biker boots made of calfskin with pewter buckles, a male variant of an existing women’s style which is ever popular.

Other options include high-top cashmere trainers in funky animal prints, as well as luxurious evening slippers in a Paisley print, Chelsea boots and classic loafers in leather.

The existing collaboration with Hunter wellies, which saw the production of a women’s black Hunter boot in a mock crocodile print with a gold coloured buckle, will now be extended to make a similar version available for men.

For spring/summer 2012, the collection expands to offer yet more adventurous colours and styles such as red shiny calfskin loafers, denim loafers with a Union Jack print, star-studded Nappa high top trainers and flower-printed canvas and suede loafers. Ponyskin loafers are offered in zebra, leopard and tiger prints, with silk cotton paisley jacquard print trainers available for the more extrovert man. The Jimmy Choo logo is also written on the underside in red lettering. Shoe sizes range from 39 to 46 (European sizing). Take a look and see what women have been eulogizing about all these years.

When Karl Lagerfeld was only 17 years old in 1955, he was offered a position at Pierre Balmain as a result of winning a fashion competition sponsored by the International Wool Secretariat.  In order to win this competition, Lagerfeld had designed a coat, which was later produced by Balmain.  Just three years later, however, Lagerfeld took up a job with Jean Patou.  Here he learned many things about fashion and couture, but he was not happy in this role.  He left after only one year, and became a freelance fashion designer, working for fashion houses such as Krizia, Charles Joudan and Valentino.  In 1964 Lagerfeld decided to leave the world of haute couture to study art in Italy.  Just three years later, he returned back to fashion.

In 1967, Lagerfeld joined Fendi, working as a design consultant.  In the 1970s, he became closely related with the Chloe fashion house, producing feminine collections.  He then moved on to design for Chanel in 1983.  Whilst working for Chanel, Lagerfeld took the opportunity to launch his own fashion label.  The features of his fashion label include strong tailoring, easy to wear cardigan jackets and bright colours teamed with softly shaped knitwear.  He continued to design for Chanel, and a notable moment in his career was when he teamed a traditional box jacket with a denim mini skirt in 1991.

Even though Karl Lagerfeld has moved frequently between different design labels, he has managed to keep a sense of what his own fashion style is all about.  He does not ever seem to be afraid to try something new with his designs.  He has produced a shower dress, a car dress and a large number of very eccentric hats.

The department store Hema claim that the push up bra Andrej Pejic is modelling can boost women’s busts by two cups.  This is illustrated by the fact that Andrej’s no-cup chest does appear to have been enhanced to a B cup in the advertising campaign pictures.

The campaign pictures have only recently been released.  However, they have sparked a huge reaction and response, with Pejic’s agent referring to the campaign as revolutionary.  Fans have been using online forums and social websites to comment, many believe the HEMA campaign is outstanding, stating that if a male model can look good in a push up bra, it must work.  

It is believed that a male model has never modelled women’s underwear for an advert campaign before.

Andrej Pejic other fashion shoots

Donna Karan exclaims “This collection was about the empowerment of women, their words of wisdom and their ability to be strong and take a stand without giving up their femininity.” And she explains this is what has influenced her to bring back the bold statements pieces such as the famous, knee length skirt.

Other designers, such as Gaultier, kept it sexy and included a slight modern-edge to the collection, by adding a revealing thigh-high slit to pencil skirts, while Jonathan Saunders used a series of unexpected colour combinations to help and an ‘upbeat vibe.’

Whatever your fashion style, you would be stupid to miss out on ‘forties fashion’ this season. For those who aren’t as confident when it comes to fashion, you could always start by adding just a few pearls to an outfit. Once the confidence is gained, you can always go the extra-mile and go for the complete look!

Forties fashions

During the winter months, every man needs a good scarf.  Make a statement with a bold design scarf from brands such as ETRO, or for a more subtle effect, try a lambswool or cashmere mix design, from the range by Dents.

When choosing gloves, it is wise to select two pairs, one for work and one for the weekend. Piping gloves including the range by Aquasutum are ideal to complement a suit and overcoat whereas plainer gloves such as the collection by Linea are very versatile for downtime.

Hats are back and bigger than ever, if this season’s trapper hat is anything to go by.  This is the ideal choice for ultimate warmth, and looks great with jeans and a jacket.  During the working week, a knitted hat in a single neutral colour adds style.

A wallet needs to be practical but an eye-catching piece will make an impact and is a great style statement.  Check out the collection from Fred Perry or Hugo Boss.

And finally, they may come free at the station, but there is no need to settle when it comes to travel-card holders.  The department store is a great place to start hunting for one.

Mens top accessories

The title is the BFA’s highest honour, and acknowledges Paul Smith’s innovative and unique contribution to the British fashion industry during a career that has spanned four decades, beginning when he left school at the age of 15.  He opened his first clothing store in 1970 and unveiled his first menswear collection six years later.  Today, there are twelve collections under the Paul Smith label.

Paul Smith’s spring/summer 2012 collection was unveiled at London Fashion Week, echoing the classic British essence that has made Paul Smith a national favourite.  The collection fused colour blocks of bright orange and navy hues.  Layering featured strongly alongside blue jeans and tapered trousers.  Sharply tailored jackets gave way to striking shirts with skinny ties in coordinating colours.  Belts stayed skinny and shoes were glossy and black – or a daring leopard print.  The collection is wearable and the result is slick, sharp and stylish.  It seems that Paul Smith has done it again.

Paul Smith

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