Tag: David Gandy

Fashion

LFW: Oliver Spencer

Camilla Hunt
September 27, 2016

The press release introduced Oliver Spencer's offering as ‘When Rock Rolled with Afrobeat’. The collection, a showcase of ready-to-wear pieces, brilliant British styling and warm, earthy tones, revealed the designer's musical inspiration.

And it wasn’t just the hues that were warm, the atmosphere was too. At the start of the catwalk a band played on African drums, Oliver Spencer’s collection was inspired by the music of drummer Ginger Baker (Rudimental, Cream), and it gave the show a really relaxed and fun vibe.

The suede patchwork jackets were among the key pieces to lust after but the relaxed tailoring also showed off Spencer’s expert design skills and understanding of the modern man.

Velvet has a strong presence right now in womenswear and Oliver Spencer’s velvet judo pants in maroon and navy provide the perfect way for men to introduce the soft and striking fabric into their wardrobes.

Stars lined the front row. Model David Gandy who posed for selfies with fans sat next to Daisy Lowe and Jim Chapman, YouTube vlogging star and contributing editor of GQ, who partnered with Oliver Spencer for the show, introduced the collection, explaining the Vero app and GQ tie-in. Vero enables real time buying of the collection on the runway. ‘See now, buy now’ has been a big feature of this season’s London Fashion Week shows with designers becoming more innovative about the way they make their designs available to their customers.

Poet and artist Kojey Radical models pieces from the collection

Here, Oliver Spencer, GQ and Vero literally put the buying power straight into the hands of the customer – they could purchase the collection via a smartphone app as the clothes made their way down the catwalk.

The show was unorthodox in a number of ways – a menswear-only show to close London Fashion Week, a live band playing and an introduction from a YouTube vlogger – but when it came to the clothes classic silhouettes reigned.

70s and 60s styles were infused throughout the collection but given a thoroughly modern twist. Think less flares, more hues of orangey browns and berry maroons, suede fabric. Less flower power, more bomber jackets and loose tailoring.

Fashion is for the most part so fixated on the future and the next big trend that for a long time what's seen on the runway has been out of reach for months but Oliver Spencer made a convincing argument for ‘see now, buy now’. And that wasn't just because of the technology, this collection was so superb, it’s no wonder customers wouldn’t want to wait.

Words: Alannah Francis | Fashion Week Press | @AlannahFrancis1

Images: Amie Charlot | Fashion Week Photography

Fashion

LCM: Chester Barrie AW16

Camilla Hunt
January 11, 2016

The Chester Barrie AW16 presentation was a high-class affair that reflected the brand's status as a long established Savile Row tailor. Held at the Waldorf Hilton, the brand's quintessentially English ready-to-wear tailoring featured on the bodies of a few models in the centre of the room who mingled with onlookers, and a static display on mannequins, too. A red carpet down the centre followed some steps up to a large screen on which onlookers could witness footage from a real life red carpet event to add to the glamour of the occasion.

You need only take a peek at David Gandy’s Instagram account to understand why classic tailoring will never go out of style, and Chester Barrie are a brand who have managed to change and adapt to continue to meet demand. The King of LCM himself, Gandy was at the presentation dressed in a Chester Barrie three-piece suit. Other famous clients over the years have included Sir Winston Churchill and Frank Sinatra (so they’re kind of a big deal).

Rich jewel tones featured throughout the collection, showing that the classic tailored look doesn’t have to be traditional (as also demonstrated by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson at last night’s Golden Globes). Emerald velvet, deep red, brown and even a bold purple pairing featured alongside the usual fare of navy and black. Outerwear also appeared in the form of a double-breasted wool coat with a contrast collar and a trench coat in large check print. Pocket squares and ties had been carefully selected to compete look upon look suitable for the modern gentlemen.

Words: Alice Hudson | Fashion Week Press | @AliceLHudson

Images: Eloise Peachey | Fashion Week Photographer | @eloisepeachey

Fashion

LCM: Oliver Spencer AW16

Camilla Hunt
January 10, 2016

I’m not going to lie; walking into the LCM showspace for Oliver Spencer’s AW16 catwalk show with David Gandy, Oliver Cheshire, Tiny Tempah, and Ricky Wilson was potentially the best moment of my entire life. But this post isn’t about handsome men (sadly); it’s about the outstanding show that Spencer put on for us. As soon as the lights went down and the saxophone riff started, it was clear that this show was going to be something special. Inspired by the unlikely collaboration some 45 years ago between maverick drummer Ginger Baker and African musician Fela Kuti, the collection marched onto the catwalk in earth-toned retro prints straight from the 70s.

Channelling true vintage style, fabrics were patchwork suede, brown corduroy and ribbed knitting. Prints also played a vital role in the collection, ranging from potato stamp prints to tweed and tartan. Round sunglasses once again made an appearance on the catwalk, settling in nicely to the 70s vibe, proving that a cold spell cannot halt the unstoppable reign of this eyewear trend. Bags, too, featured in the collection; leather rucksacks and chic holdalls complemented the designs perfectly.

The show was dedicated to John Bradbury, the late musician who had frequently collaborated with Spencer in recent years and who was a close friend of the designer, so it was undoubtedly no coincidence that some of the styling bore a striking resemblance to his mod-esque look.

The collection as a whole exemplified the contrast between quintessential British styling and tribal African culture, and how the two came together in the music of Baker and Kuti. Taking us on a journey from London to Africa in just a few short minutes, Spencer exceeded the expectations surrounding the show that was touted as the most anticipated of LCM day 2. With Gandy et al on board, there’s no telling what new heights Spencer will reach next season - we can't wait to report back.

Words: Katharine Bennett | Fashion Week Press | @misskatebennett

Images: Kaye Ford | Fashion Week Photography | @fordtography

Fashion

LCM: Street Style Day Two

Camilla Hunt
June 18, 2015

When it came to day two at London Collections: Men, though there were outlandish collections from the likes of Agi & Sam and Sibling to behold, on the streets there was a call for a more traditional approach to men’s week attire with impeccably tailored separates and Savile Row inspired three-piece dressing. However, as only London boys can do, even the most accomplished of trends had been reinvented for the contemporary London crowd. Think colour pop shades and unmatched attention to details and accessories, perfectly demonstrated by LCM ambassador and model David Gandy. Leather and true blue washes of denim were the order of the day for off-duty models such as Chris John Millington – but whatever you do, don’t mention that #beardstache, though it likely is a facial trend to watch whether he intended it to be or not.

Words: Camilla Hunt | Fashion Editor | @camillamcleanhunt
Images: Dominika Wojciechowska | Fashion Week Photographer | @dominikawojciechowska

Fashion

LCM: Street Style Day One

Camilla Hunt
June 18, 2015

As you may have noticed by now, WJ London were down on the ground at London Collections: Men for the SS16 showcase, reporting on the shows to know and the designers to remember. However, London is known for a little more than what simply appears on the catwalk, with our city boasting some of the finest and most unique street style the world over. Thanks to our decidedly multicultural offering and independent approach to aesthetics, there really is nothing quite like it when it comes to those who wander our fair city streets. For this season, tailoring has taken on a more relaxed form, adapting to the lifestyles of the modern men who wear it. As always, the spotlight fell on sportswear with flair, whether that be smartened up or stripped back. Ultimately, for the London gent, the key is in the contrast.

Words: Camilla Hunt | Fashion Editor | @camillamcleanhunt
Images: Dominika Wojciechowska | Fashion Week Photographer | @dominikawojciechowska