London Fashion Week has long been revered for its broad spectrum of up-and-coming and established designers and now the capital’s menswear fashion week looks set for similar success as a host of major fashion houses including Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Tom Ford have agreed to stage events on its schedule.
At London’s first ever “men’s only” fashion week, which kicks off on the 14th June with an event hosted by Prince Charles, iconic British brands Dunhill, Hackett, Pringle of Scotland and Belstaff are among a host of labels who will unveil their spring/summer collections for next year. A host of homegrown design talents, including Christopher Kane, Jonathan Saunders and Richard Nicoll whose shows are among the hottest tickets at the womenswear round of shows, will also enjoy a place on the menswear schedule while retailers Topman and Mr Porter will stage events.
At the four day fashion spectacle to which the British Fashion Council hope to attract press and buyers from across the globe, there will be some fifty shows and presentations. The decision to stage a menswear focused fashion week was announced by the British Fashion Council in January who recognised the menswear industry as one of key growth in London.
Last year global menswear sales increased by an estimated nine per cent to 21.4 billion compared with 18.7 billion in 2010. “London Collections: Men” is the result of a concerted effort to further boost Britain’s menswear industry – a sector which has long played second fiddle to the traditionally more glamorous womenswear industry. While Milan and Paris both unveil their menswear collections at menswear only fashion weeks, the capital’s menswear designers have until now, had their shows shoe-horned into the final day of the womenswear schedule.
