London Collections: Men begin Monday 7th January 2013, celebrating the creative and commercial importance of British menswear, from the heritage brands through to the world’s leading emerging talent.
With over 60 of London’s brightest and biggest menswear names on schedule; 30 designers in a curated exhibition at The Hospital Club and a jam-packed events programme, London Collections: Men establishes London’s reputation as a key menswear capital and kick starts the international men’s fashion calendar for AW13.
“London is the home of menswear, so it's only natural that it has its own dedicated fashion week. London invented tailoring in Savile Row, it invented youth culture, and it continues to produce the best young designers in the world. Why would a menswear designer choose to show anywhere else?” - Dylan Jones, Chair of London Collections: Men and Editor of British GQ
New to show this season are some of London’s most exciting international brands Alexander McQueen and Tom Ford, who both present their mainline menswear collections in London. Joining them as a new addition to the schedule is British heritage brand Hardy Amies, showing their ready-to-wear collection in London this January, moving their show from Milan.
For January, The BFC introduces a second show venue, the BFC Show Space at the Old Sorting Office, where designers including James Long, Oliver Spencer and Fashion Forward, sponsored by eBay fashion and supported by the Mayor of London, designers Christopher Shannon, E.Tautz and J.W. Anderson will show over Tuesday 8th – Wednesday 9th January.
To celebrate London Collections: Men and British menswear, David Cameron will be hosting an event at 10 Downing Street on Monday 7th January. From dinners to digital presentations, events not to miss over the three days include a drinks reception hosted by Tommy Hilfiger and Esquire; ‘The Fashion & Art Party’ hosted by Anna Dello Russo, Jo Levin, Matt Hobbs & Nicky Carter; The GQ Dinner, co-hosted by Sir Paul Smith, Tinie Tempah and Chair of London Collections: Men, Dylan Jones, and a party by Tom Ford.
Some of London’s most established retailers will also host events supporting and celebrating London’s menswear industry: Harvey Nichols will present an exclusive preview of contemporary tailoring brand 1205’s AW13 collection; Harrods and Vivienne Westwood MAN collaborate on a unique presentation featuring an exclusive preview of the full AW13 collection and Selfridges host a private dinner for Jonathan Saunders and Fantastic Man at the Old Selfridges Hotel.
Online retail destination for Men’s Style, Mr Porter, has collaborated with four of the capital’s most exciting menswear designers. Katie Eary, Matthew Miller, Richard Nicoll and SIBLING have created capsule collections, which launch with a static presentation.
The Hospital Club forms the central hub for London Collections: Men, home to the Hospital Club: Show Space, LC:M Cinema and over 30 exhibitors. The Designer Galleries showcase an edited selection of London’s most innovative and diverse menswear brands, encompassing both ready-to-wear and accessories collections.
Based over two floors, the showrooms are a key opportunity for press and buyers to meet the designers and make wholesale appointments. The Designer Galleries include collections from NEWGEN MEN, sponsored by TOPMAN, talents alongside private showrooms, where Nicholas Kirkwood will debut his menswear footwear line.
The Woolmark Company have curated an engaging installation on the Ground Floor of The Hospital Club. The ‘Merino Gallery’ will feature custom pieces selected for the exhibition, by London Collections: Men designers E.Tautz, Jonathan Saunders, Richard Nicoll and Richard James.
Fashion East’s Menswear Installations return to London Collections: Men for AW13 to host an exciting line-up of emerging designer presentations and, for the second season, Meadham Kirchhoff’s menswear presentation. The seedbed of London’s brightest menswear talent, Fashion East have curated an edit of ones to watch including new talents Bobby Abley and Joseph Turvey who join Kit Neale, Nasir Mazhar and Maarten van der Horst.
The bespoke tailors of Savile Row, along with London’s best shirt makers and hatters, will be presenting the modern face of British elegance to an international audience made up of buyers and journalists. Named ‘The English Gentleman’, the showcase will take the form of a presentation featuring a mix of models and real men, dressed by Savile Row’s famous tailors. 40 different outfits will be shown, spread through seven rooms inside Spencer House and the presentation will be styled by Jo Levin, creative fashion director of British GQ.
