'I am delighted to support London Collections: Men, which with great aplomb shows why London is the menswear capital of the world. From the raincoat to the bowler hat and the sharp-suited gent to the peacock dandy, we have a heritage that is second to none.
"And as the last few days have shown, we have some immensely gifted menswear designers whose creative endeavour contributes to a £10 billion market that’s growing even faster than womenswear.’ - commented Mayor of London, Boris Johnson
Bondage trousers, the bowler hat, brogues, the dandy, the floral shirt and tie, the great coat/riding coat, the three piece suit, the trench coat, tweed and tartan, and wellington boots have all been identified as the ten iconic styles that originated in Britain and have become mainstays in international menswear.
Taken from a V&A study commissioned by the British Fashion Council and written by Keren Protheroe, a PHD alumnus of the History of Fashion course at the Royal College of Art, these ten British inventions seal the UK’s reputation as the global origin of men’s fashion.
The 4,000 word study travels in time, from 1528 to present day, and explores how over the centuries the rules of men’s fashion have been made and broken.
The study is accompanied by a condensed menswear heritage map of London and was launched on Savile Row at a London Collections: Men photo call on the 18th June by the Mayor of London.
