The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced plans for a brand new Menswear showcase LONDON COLLECTIONS: MEN that will launch in June 2012.
Running from 15th – 17th June, London will kick start the Menswear calendar with a showcase of British brands and businesses embedded in a cultural programme. London Collections: Men is a development of the Men’s day at London Fashion Week which has grown in stature and content despite sitting outside of the traditional menswear calendar. This new showcase will emphasise both the creative and commercial importance of Britain’s brands and emerging talent as well as the rich cultural landscape that contributes to the inspiration and success of this sector.
The majority of brands and designers who participate in the Men’s day at London Fashion Week will be contributing to the showcase. London’s emerging talent showcases MAN, NEWGEN MEN sponsored by Topman and Fashion Forward will support the UK’s most innovative new talents to show during this period. Iconic British designers such as Margaret Howell, heritage brands such as Aquascutum and Savile Row tailors such as Richard James and E. Tautz will join London Collections: Men to show the breadth of British menswear.
Dylan Jones, chair of the Fashion 2012 Menswear Committee will be at helm of these plans, drawing together a committee of influential figures within the Menswear industry initially including Christopher Bailey; David Furnish; David Walker-Smith, Selfridges; David Walliams; Elizabeth Saltzman; Gordon Richardson, TOPMAN; Jo Levin, GQ; Jeremy Langmead, MR PORTER; Marigay McKee, Harrods; Simon Fuller; Tim Blanks, Style.com; Tinie Tempah; Tom Ford and The Mayor’s Office.
Harold Tillman, CBE Chairman of British Fashion Council said “The menswear industry has been growing from strength to strength in past years and this is true testament to this, London Collections: Men will not only be a showcase for brands and designers but will form a cross cultural programme creating a festival for Menswear in what will be a truly exciting year for the UK. I would like to thank Dylan Jones as Chair of the newly formed Fashion 2012 Menswear committee and all of the members, designers and brands involved in making this work.”
Dylan Jones, Editor GQ and Chair of Fashion 2012 Menswear Committee said "This is a fabulous initiative, and one that will undoubtedly draw even more attention towards London this year. Whether you're involved in sport, fashion, media, retail, entertainment or tech, or indeed any industry, London is the place to be in 2012."
Gordon Richardson, Design Director, TOPMAN said “No longer shoe horned into one condensed hectic day, the newly established London Menswear Collections, over 3 glorious days now has the space to breathe, flourish and generate the buzz that will put its talented rising men's fashion stars firmly on the international fashion map.”
Jeremy Langmead, Editor in Chief, MR PORTER said “MR PORTER is looking forward to working with the BFC on this exciting new project that aims to give Britain's talented menswear designers and tailors the showcase they deserve. The menswear industry is experiencing huge growth right now and this makes both supporting home-grown talent, and feeding the worldwide appetite for innovative and expertly-made stylish men's clothes, essential. We look forward to creating a number of engaging ways that MR PORTER can help spread the word across all its content platforms during the London Collections."
Richard James, Savile Row Tailor said “We are very excited to be involved with the new plans for British menswear, and to be working with Dylan. This is a first for our company to present in this way.”
James Long, Fashion Forward Recipient said “I am really excited for the menswear plans and am looking forward to being part of a great year for British menswear. Thank you to all involved and all the work that has been put in to make this happen.”
The British Fashion Council would like to thank MR PORTER for partnering and supporting the London Collections: Men and the BFC would also like to give thanks to the team from TOPMAN for all of their continued and ongoing support for the NEWGEN MEN initiative and British Menswear.
London Collections: Men will form part of the Fashion 2012 Calendar, a central platform under which the industry is able to showcase and celebrate British fashion. It will provide a core focus for the industry and a schedule for the major fashion events and activities throughout London’s Olympic year. For further on information on Fashion 2012, please visit www.fashion2012.co.uk.
For press enquiries please contact:
Gemma Ebelis, British Fashion Council, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7759 1989
gemma.ebelis@britishfashioncouncil.com
For Menswear brands wishing to be involved in plans for Fashion 2012 please contact:
Katie Bain, British Fashion Council, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7759 1978
katie.bain@britishfashioncouncil.com
Image: E.Tautz pre-autumn/winter 2012 collection