Working on a project in which I have been living and
breathing everything luxury, menswear and bespoke for the last six months, London
Collections Men Autumn/Winter 2014/15 had been highlighted prominently on my calendar since
the Spring/Summer 2014 event. The amazing biannual array of shows, events and parties at LC:M are
always exciting, however, for A/W 14/15, The English Gentleman Presentation in collaboration with The
Woolmark Company was my most eagerly anticipated invitation!
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| Own image |
After a spectacular S/S14 presentation at Lords Cricket
Ground in June, what was Savile Row going to do next? The top secret letter I
received a few weeks before the event soon revealed all...
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| Image credit: George Garnier. The English Gentleman |
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| Image credit: George Garnier. The English Gentleman |
Presenting the modern face of timeless British elegance, the presentation showcased a selection of the finest tailors of Savile
Row alongside London’s best shirt, shoe and hat makers. However, set in the warren-like Cabinet
War Rooms, 20 feet beneath Her Majesty’s Treasury, this was no ordinary presentation; models
acted out live wartime scenes inside the museum exhibition rooms and corridors to
create a truly one-off experience.
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| Image credit: George Garnier. The English Gentleman |
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| Image credit: George Garnier. The English Gentleman |
Not only could the audience of international buyers and
journalists admire the beautifully crafted creations from Savile Row tailors
such as Anderson & Sheppard, Chester Barrie, Gieves & Hawkes, Henry
Poole, Huntsman and Richard James Bespoke to name a few, guests
were also immersed in the fascinating history of the War Rooms themselves.
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| Image credit: George Garnier. The English Gentleman |
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| Image credit: George Garnier. The English Gentleman |
As the location where Prime Minister, Winston Churchill,
sheltered during the Nazi bombing raids in London during the Second World War, the
rooms have scarcely changed since late March 1945. Such was the authenticity of
the presentation, I half expected to walk around a corner and see Winston
Churchill himself plotting and planning among the immaculately dressed models...
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| Image credit: George Garnier. The English Gentleman |
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| Image credit: George Garnier. The English Gentleman |
What is so wonderful about LC:M is the breath of talent on
show; from the world’s most innovative emerging designers and global menswear
brands to the traditional tailors of Savile Row, each celebrating and
contributing to the rich cultural landscape that is fuelling the growing inspiration
and success of the luxury menswear sector.
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| Image credit: George Garnier. The English Gentleman |
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| Image credit: George Garnier. The English Gentleman |
Much of my recent work has explored how traditional tailoring
brands can build on their heritage to find innovative ways of connecting with the younger generation and communicating tailoring to the modern world. By
playing a key part in the LC:M schedule, Savile Row continues to assert its relevance
in the contemporary menswear market, and the presentation acts as a strong
reminder that London remains the world capital of masculine style, as it has
done for over two hundred years. After such an engaging combination of classic
fashion and vivid history, I cannot wait to see what Savile Row has in store for
Spring 2015.
All images credited to photographer George Garnier. Here are a few from behind the scenes:
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| Image credit: George Garnier. The English Gentleman |
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| Image credit: George Garnier. The English Gentleman |
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| Image credit: George Garnier. The English Gentleman |
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| Image credit: George Garnier. The English Gentleman |
