A glamorous weekend in London has seen the city’s traditionally menswear-focused, June fashion week return to new glory, as it shifted in format towards talks and exhibitions supported by 1664 Blanc — and was backed by a host of A-listers.
The (officially titled) London Fashion Week in celebration of British Menswear was opened with a breakfast at the ICA by none other than David Beckham (and a joke about the uncool suit he chose to wear).
“It never fails to amaze me just how incredible the talent in London is, and how lucky we are to have access to such a diverse mix of fashion businesses – from Savile Row tailors to sportswear, British fashion continues to influence and have an impact worldwide,” he continued.
This opened the balcony windows for a flurry of community-based events (Sunday roasts! Fashion quizzes! 5K runs!), talks (from discussions on performative activism to a reading from the Standard’s editor Dylan Jones’ new memoir) and, of course, fashion shows (Beth Ditto performing at Somerset House, anyone?) took over town.
Here are the 3 things to know:
HARRI was the breakout star
HARRI, the label best known its inflatable, latex creations – one of which was famously worn by Sam Smith for the Brits last year — entered “chapter 4” of it’s brand history on Saturday morning, with an almighty performance at the Benjamin West Lecture Theatre in the Royal Academy of Arts. Filling the church-like lecture hall, Eurovision winner Nemo belted Switzerland’s hit tune The Code as a white, latex monster-of-a-gown blew up like a marshmallow. “This showcase took 6 pairs of hands, 300 seams and over 300 hours to produce, from conception to completion,” the designer, whose full name is Harikrishnan Keezhathil Surendran Pillai, said. As per Dash Hudson, Harri won the week by way of stats, topping the brands with the highest Instagram engagement and highest Instagram follower growth. Whoa-oh-oh, etc.
Charles Jeffrey Loverboy returned to form
Somerset House was the only destination on Friday evening, as Charles Jeffrey Loverboy hosted their 10 year anniversary catwalk spectacular in the sprawling courtyard. Familiar faces Cora Corré, Thurstan Redding, Tish Weinstock, Erin O’Connor and Joe Sweeny all walked; Tilda Swinton, her daughter Honor Swinton Byrne, and FKA Twigs all sat front row, and there were enough eye-catching banana-split boots, knit-ear beanies and pin striped pyjamas to dress the whole of East London — but it was Beth Ditto, who danced about barefoot singing a rendition of Patti Smith’s Gloria, as the models leapt about. Feel good heaven that made for the fashion moment of the week. Find out more at The Lore of Loverboy exhibition which is now open at Somerset House until September 1. somersethouse.org.uk
The British Fashion Council spotlighted the menswear names to keep an eye on
Sunday saw the fashion pack descend on Soho’s Groucho Club for quizzes, roast beefs and an all important sampling of the city’s top, upcoming menswear designers. As for the names to know, note down rising star labels DERRICK, Paolo Carzana and CARLOTA BARRERA, who joined denzilpatrick and HARRI (who both showed on Saturday), LUEDER, KYLE HO and shoe maker ROKER, in filling up rails in the rooms which buzzed with that unique, red hot talent energy only London consistently produces so well.
