London Collections: Men is set to be the strongest showcase of menswear this summer with over 60 designers confirmed to show in London between 16th – 18th June 2013. The line-up of shows and events sees some of menswear’s most prominent international names showing alongside Britain's renowned heritage designers and rising stars.
The schedule was announced by Dylan Jones, Chair of London Collections: Men, at an event held at The British Residence of the HM Consul General in New York, celebrating the strength of the British menswear industry.
"I am particularly pleased that Burberry have decided to move to London from Milan, a move which shows their dedication to London as the home of menswear. This season is even busier than last, with appearances from Jimmy Choo, Paul Smith and rag & bone, proving that London Collections: Men is not just a showcase for great British designers but a platform for international designers and brands, too." - Dylan Jones, Chair of London Collections: Men
New to show this season is iconic British brand Burberry, moving their menswear show to London after more than ten years of showing in Milan. After supporting London Collections: Men for the past two seasons with in-store events, Burberry will show its mainline menswear collection on Tuesday 18th June. This season also marks the first season for New York based brand rag & bone and footwear designer Jimmy Choo to show menswear collections in London.
Further new additions to the line-up include Paul Smith who will show a presentation and a cocktail reception by BOSS on Monday 17th June. Alexander McQueen, Oliver Spencer, Jonathan Saunders and Richard Nicoll all return to the schedule to show stand out collections in London, whilst Tom Ford, Nicole Farhi and Christopher Kane will hold private appointments for press and buyers.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, will host a celebration of London Collections: Men on Tuesday 18th June, highlighting the history and heritage of the menswear industry in London.
Luxury brands including Hardy Amies and Gieves & Hawkes will both show stand-alone presentations alongside catwalk shows from new establishment Savile Row designers including Richard James and E. Tautz. The tailors of Savile Row will host a unique presentation as a collective at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Monday afternoon.
London Collections: Men is the essential showcasing platform for the best of London’s emerging talent, as seen through NEWGEN MEN, sponsored by TOPMAN, and MAN initiatives. The MAN show, a joint initiative between TOPMAN and Fashion East which has been pivotal in promoting menswear in London since 2005, will take place on Sunday 16th June, showcasing three of London’s most cutting edge menswear designers to watch. The Fashion East installations support and promote the seedbed of London’s brightest new talent, and will return to show a highly anticipated presentation on Tuesday 18th June.
For June 2013, the BFC introduce a third show space at Victoria House in addition to the official venues of the Hospital Club and the Old Sorting Office. This move accommodates the growing number of on-schedule designers and provides a flexible space to facilitate the diversity of the menswear shows.
This season, The Hospital Club once again forms the central hub for London Collections: Men, providing a growing focus on the exhibitors in Designer Galleries, whilst catwalk shows from designers including J.W. Anderson and Christopher Shannon will take place at The Old Sorting Office.
Alongside the catwalk shows and presentations, events celebrating the British menswear industry will take place, with highlights including the Esquire and Jimmy Choo party; a drinks reception held by Duchamp; a dinner hosted by Jonathan Newhouse and Tommy Hilfiger and a party at Ralph Lauren’s RRL store with Port Magazine. The showcase will close with the GQ dinner, hosted by Dylan Jones and Tracey Emin, and a party by Details Magazine. A full events schedule, digital schedule and consumer events programme will be announced over the coming weeks.
London Collections: Men is supported by American Express; European Regional Development Fund; Fudge; GQ; The Hospital Club; Lavazza Coffee; The Mayor of London; Mercedes-Benz UK; MRPORTER.COM ; Nyetimber; The Radisson Blu Edwardian, London; Rightster; Topman; Vodafone; The Woolmark Company and UKTI.
