London Collections: Men - Day 2

Craig of That Dapper Chap takes us around day two of London Collections: Men and details the shows and presentations that he attended.

Apologies that this post is a little later than I would have liked, but I've been so ridiculously busy lately! But hey, the collections are still relevant and I really wanted to share them with you. So, lets get to day 2 of LC:M.

Feeling well rested I boarded the tube from Hanwell and made my way, coffee in hand, to 180 Strand for my first show of the day. Excited by the day ahead I found my seat and readied myself for the Agi & Sam catwalk show

London Collections: Men - Day 2

Craig of That Dapper Chap takes us around day two of London Collections: Men and shows us what Saturday had to offer

E.Tautz

After a good nights sleep in my Uncle Steves spare bed I woke fresh and ready for day 2 and made my way from leafy Hanwell directly to the E.Tautz catwalk show on the Strand.

This is one show that I was really looking forward to as Patrick Grant is one of my style idols and he didn't disappoint.

I was disappointed however by the fact that I ended up standing right at the back and having to crane my neck to see even a smidge of the great stuff he put out.

For me the coats ruled the day as did the great range of fabrics that Patrick gave us including Donegal tweed, cashmere, Shetland wool and leather.

E.Tautz accessorised with some great scarves

Another great coat and more cool neckwear

Classic styling in great fabrics

I love the wide collar on this coat and the Christian Louboutin shoes

An incredible checked double breasted coat

Berthold

So disappointed by mor poor positioning at the E.Tautz show I left down hearted but determined to make sure that next time I would get a better view.  

Next for me was Berthold so I trekked back to Swiss Church in Endell Street and was one of the first people there. Yes, front row! No jostling, no elbows in the ribs.

While slightly out of the That dapper Chap comfort zone, I did appreciate the shapes, cuts and styling that Berthold gave us. 

Named 'Drowning' the presentation gave us sculptural qualities in supple rubber, coated cottons and other robust textiles, all designed to protect the wearer from the elements.

The new Berthold collection at LC:M

A twist on the traditional yellow fishermans coat

Heavy scarves and thick jersey sweaters protect the wearer

classic and wearable items from Berthold

A nod to the life jackets in this cropped coat

High necklines and ling coats in the 'Drowning' collection

Lou Dalton

I didn't realise I was a fan of Lou Dalton's work until I saw this show. Lou's Father was a Teddy Boy and there are clear influences in this collection, particularly in the oversized check trousers and jackets.

Described as "thought provoking and considered" Lou's contemporary classical tailoring has won her many awards and its easy to see why.

With a range in River Island and a Thunderbirds themed collection under her belt it seems Lou is becoming one of the best female designers in London.

The check fabrics was a highlight of Lou Dalton's show

fashionable and functional style from Lou Dalton

Another great jacket that I'd personally like in my wardrobe

Maybe not That Dapper Chap style but there's something about this I really like

It's that check fabric again, this time teamed with a great camel coloured coat

Oliver Spencer

After a quick coffee and a bite to eat it was back to the Strand for Oliver Spencer. Another of my favorite designers Oliver is a self taught tailor and started his career from a small market stall in London's Portobello Road.

Oliver Spencer gave us one of my favorite collection of relaxed and contemporary formal pieces. Great jackets and waistcoats teamed with unstructured trousers in stripes and checks.

Knitwear was also showcased with many of the models wearing staple items for the coming season.

A beautiful jacket and waistcoat worn in a contemporary styling

Modern sophistication from Oliver Spencer

I love everything about this look

Another awesome look from Oliver Spencer

This patterned coat over a plain grey suit made my day

Model Richard Biedul wearing some very cool knitwear

Matthew Miller

Matthew Miller was up next on the That Dapper Chap itinerary. remembering my positioning at the E.Tautz catwalk I did my best to get a spot with a better view and I'm pleased with the few shots that I got.

With the theme of 'Nouveau Riche' as it's inspiration the AW16 collection from matthew Miller gave us lots of black in addition to a contrast of hand-painted oil on canvas with their 'David & Goliath' coat.

Shapes hailing from a forgotten historical era were given updated silhouettes and both biker and bomber jackets and graced the catwalk.

Unstructured shapes, belted for a clean silhouette

Matthew Miller monochrome 

The biker jacket the Matthew Miller way

Hand painted oil on canvas

Thomas Pink

Finally, after a day of running around London, feet hurting and back aching I made my way to the Thomas Pink presentation. Always a riot of colour and pattern this show is one that I always look forward to seeing.

from bar to botanical to block colour, Thomas Pink is always treat for the eyes. 

Taking inspiration from the enchantment and hideaways offered by the British countryside and coastline, industrial and architectural elements were hinted at and enjoyed by the crowd. 

I always enjoy the Thomas Pink show, not only do I genuinely love the collection but the Williams Chase gin cocktails helped me enjoy it just that little bit more.

The new Thomas Pink Collection at LC:M

Suited & booted in grey check suit and pink bow tie

Rich burgundy and blues for AW16

Its all about colour for Thomas pink, it shouldn't work but it really does!

Colour on colour on colour a feast for the eyes

I really love this blue shirt with its architectural pattern

Maybe not for TDC but this is one statement shirt not to be ignored

So, with a busy day two under my belt, tired, weary but inspired I made my way back to Hanwell where a warm welcome, a hot meal and a comfortable bed waited and boy did I need all three.

Thanks for taking time out to read the blog. You're welcome back any time.

Thomas Pink At LC:M

 THOMAS PINK SHOWCASES SPRING/SUMMER 2016 COLLECTION AGAINST A BOTANICAL BACKDROP INSPIRED BY DAVID HOCKNEY AND CECIL BEATON

On Saturday 13th June 2015, British brand Thomas Pink - part of the Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton group - unveiled its Spring/Summer 2016 collection at the Institute of Contemporary Arts.

I'm a fan of Thomas Pink and was really pleased to receive my invitation to this years event for Londons Collections: Men. After the colourful display in January I did wonder how they could top the last presentation but I wasn't disappointed.

Presented against a botanical backdrop, more potting shed than conservatory, the collection was showcased on models and mannequins.

Florence Torrens, Creative Director at Thomas Pink, says; “We wanted to create an environment with a very British feel and were inspired by a photograph taken by artist Peter Schlesinger in 1970, in which great friends David Hockney and Cecil Beaton are caught reclining carelessly on rattan furniture surrounded by potted pelargoniums and begonias. It’s wonderfully British and off-beat botanical - perfectly capturing the mood of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection.”

Frederik Willems, Head of Design at Thomas Pink, says; “The Spring/Summer 2016 collection celebrates Britain’s charming and eccentric character – taking inspiration from themes as diverse as Brit Pop culture, architectural follies and trad seaside towns. From the 90s Brit Pop era to Dunmore Hall in Scotland with its quirky pineapple roof – the season evokes a mood of patriotism and nostalgia in equal measures.”

To mark World Gin Day and in keeping with the botanical theme, guests enjoyed gin cocktails, made using Williams Chase British gin.

Spring/Summer 2016 collection notes:

As the season commences, the collection captures the nonchalant mood of the 90s brit pop era – famed for its style-icon musicians and hedonism. Slim tailored silhouettes and a punchy colour palette - spanning indigo, pink, turquoise and citrus - merges tradition and rebellion. Fine Italian shirting encompasses mini ginghams, Bengal stripes, traditional Jermyn Street stripes and checks of varying sizes - with a strong focus on texture, a key trend for the season.

As the season progresses, the collection draws inspiration from Scotland, where, when the sun comes out, vibrant colours reflect off the magnificent landscape and blue skies inspiring a modern take on tartans and plaids with shirting and accessories in tattersalls and blown-up madras checks.

Lightweight outerwear comprises a de-constructed wool navy blazer with shirt fabric lining, a summer tweed linen blazer and a new reversible jacket in light grey ticking stripe with a shell camouflage interior – a spring summer highlight. A British summer always needs an option for rainy days, in this case a reversible rainmac in Prince of Wales check/navy. Key suiting is found in fine wool Loro Piana fabric, while chino shorts debut with bleached denim shirting.

The season finale is inspired by the archetypal seaside resort of Blackpool - with its promenade, piers, fortune-tellers, fairground rides and tattoo parlours. A colour palette of citrus, candy floss pink, turquoise, sky blue and lilac echoes the town’s bright carnival mood, perfectly captured in linen shirting. Ties, silk pocket squares and socks featuring swallow and heart motives and candy stripes perfectly capture the essence of the iconic seaside town.

Find Thomas Pink

      

THANKS FOR READING!