LC:M AW14 – THE TRENDS

We of course picked up on a couple of trends whilst analysing the menswear shows and below we’ve collated a couple of key standouts for the next Winter season. It’s certainly not going to be dark and dismal Winter as far as the fashion is concerned that’s for sure – as you can see from our top 5 London trends.

Statement Prints

Clockwise from left: Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane, Paul Smith, Craig Green and Kit Neale.

Loud, exotic and innovative – the prints this season were all about being bold. It wasn’t just the odd shirt or trouser, the collections this year featured all-out designs that didn’t hold back on print – or colour for that matter – and one of our favourites has got to be Christopher Kane’s stunning molecular styles, putting science right on the fashion canvas.

Red Dawn

Clockwise from left: Common, Topman Design, Casely-Hayford, Xander Zhou and Kit Neale. 

Pure blood red was a common colour of choice this season and here we’ve seen it in impressive sky prints from Common and on more classic duffel-style jackets from Topman Design. Red checks nodded towards a grungier sensibility whilst Xander Zhou’s presentation of an oversized and almost floor-length red coat was certainly not for the faint-hearted.

Royal Navy

Clockwise from left: Christopher Kane, Common, Topman Design, Craig Green, Kent & Curwen and Tom Ford [inset].

A more demure shade perhaps, but this was probably the most popular colour we saw on the catwalk this season and one that is ultimately very refined. A neutral tone indeed but a shade that is wildly dynamic and Christopher Kane’s textured suit above shows just how contemporary navy can appear. Tom Ford showed luxe navy separates including incredible suede hi-tops and at the Kent & Curwen show we were treated to a medley of blues including the starkly contrasting aqua blue gloves above.

Up the Volume

Clockwise from left: Richard Nicoll, Craig Green, A. Sauvage and Alan Taylor.

Like the colours and prints, the larger the better and oversized apparel was a prominent feature on the catwalk at London Collections: Men. Richard Nicoll ticked two of those boxes in one statement coat in a dual blue tone whilst Craig Green and Alan Taylor from the MAN shows featured nearly floor sweeping options in black. Another slick example was this suede overcoat from A. Sauvage that at knee length is also a very wearable choice.

Shine On

Clockwise from left: Berthold, A. Sauvage, Alan Taylor, Xander Zhou and Richard Nicoll.

There’s nothing wrong with the odd metallic, a bit of shine or sparkle as these designers have proved. Berthold’s predominantly monochrome collection features this burst of electric pink that dazzles even greater against the white and the zip detail on the shorts are also worth a mention. Richard Nicoll and A. Sauvage played around with colourful prints in blue and purple sheens whilst Alan Taylor’s silver/grey fur coat positively gleams in the catwalk light.