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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Guardian fashion

London Collections: Men (2)

London Collections Sat: Christopher Raeburn London Collections
Christoper Raeburn
What is the inspirations for your collection? We’ve worked from the simple word 'deploy' this season. Followers of ours will hopefully know our parachute pieces, but we have a whole new concept that we’re looking forward to unveiling. We've extended our 'remade' range to new heights (this is where we make new garments from deconstructed original pieces).
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? Keep it simple.
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? Good question. It’s funny, I get to travel a lot for work now (and I love it) but I always like coming back to the madness of London. It’s the mix of cultures and creativity that I think makes London so unique. I’ve always felt it’s quite a forgiving city as long as your heart is in the right place
Photograph: Christopher Raeburn/Guardian
London Collections Sat: Hardy Amies London Collection
Claire Malcolm, creative director, Hardy Amies
What are the inspirations and references for your collection? As with each collection, the inspiration is Sir Hardy Amies as a style icon. We looked at what he wore for work and leisure - he had an understated English look that's been a direct reference point.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? To quote Hardy Amies on fit: 'There is no such thing as a good fit that is uncomfortable. The good fit...should look as relaxed as you feel.'
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? The mix of old and new - the clash of Savile Row with street style. Also, London is so accepting of individuality, I think people here can express themselves so much more than other cities
Photograph: Hardy Amies/Guardian
London Collections Sat: Liberty London Collections
James Millar of Liberty London
What are the inspirations and references for your spring/summer 2013 collection? We’ve been looking at the vast Liberty print archive and trying to update classic prints in fresher, sportier colours. Colour is very important as always.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? Try to add a bit of colour to your wardrobe. You don’t have to go crazy, just find one that works for you and embrace it!
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? The fact that it is constantly evolving. It never stops changing, physically and culturally. It’s also incredibly youth driven so it’s definitely a city that's young at heart, and that keeps it exciting and diverse
Photograph: Liberty/Guardian
London Collections Sat: Margaret Howell London Collections
Margaret Howell
What are the inspirations and references for your collection? We generally don’t work on themes for our collections, but every season we use a lot of references from our archive as starting points. We then collaborate and work on new fabric developments with our specialist suppliers. For spring/summer 2013 we have focused on really lightweight natural fabrics and packable/foldable garments.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? Men should build a core wardrobe based around understated and timeless pieces, mixing these with seasonal highlights for an updated look – keep clothes simple for a relaxed and effortless style.
Why is London such a brilliant fashion capital? London is an inspiring city, creatively and culturally, with a diverse range of architecture, art, music and theatre
Photograph: Margaret Howell/Guardian
London Collections Sat: Meadham Kirchhoff London Collections
Benjamin Kirchhoff of Meadham Kirchhoff
What are the inspirations and references for your collection?  Boredom, possession and introspection.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? Stop pretending to be a man.
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? The freedom here is fairly unrivalled
Photograph: Meadham Kirchhoff/Guardian
London Collections Sat: Nicole Farhi London Collections
Massimo Nicosia of Nicole Farhi
What are your inspirations and references for your collection? The mood of the spring/summer 2013 collection is British summer seaside holidays and George IV in the Royal Pavillion.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? Build a wardrobe of essentials that really reflect your personality but also play with fashion, have fun with it - it should never be too serious.
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? It’s such a melting pot of both new and established brands, which is why I’m really looking forward to seeing what comes out of London Collections: Men. We have great heritage here but also an enormous amount of new talent
Photograph: Nicole Farhi/Guardian
London Collections Sat: Omar K London Collections
Omar Kashoura
What are the inspirations for your collection? This season is a continuation of the Beat Poets theme from autumn/winter 2012. This time they take a road trip into the Black Rock Desert of Nevada where things come to life. It's a mystical world involving a journey of self-discovery, experimentation, hot springs and desert conditions. 'His' life is spent as an agent of social control - in this moment he becomes an agent of possibility.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? Hmmm, I'd have to say sock and belt colour co-ordination. Mirroring a colour close to the bottom of your body with something closer to the top always works a treat on me!
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? Most definitely the eclectic mix we have of young emerging brands with cutting edge design and the traditional tailors of Savile Row
Photograph: Omar K /Guardian
London Collections Sat: Richard Nicoll London Collections
Richard Nicoll
What are the inspirations and references for your collection? I've been inspired by the gaps in my own wardrobe, pieces that I've been trying, unsuccessfully, to find for a long time in the right colour and the right fit. This amounts to dandy inspired sportswear, a mix of classical elegance and sports pieces.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? Shave less.
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? The enthusiastic eclecticism of youth and independence
Photograph: Richard Nicoll/Guardian
London collections final: Agi and Sam London Collections
Agi & Sam
What are the inspirations and references for your collection? The 80s, detectives, Miami Vice, tapestries and embroidery, pastels, florals, and grandma.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? Socks and Sandals.
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? There are alot of reasons why fashion works so well here but primarily it has to be its eclecticism, its immediate access to music, art and fashion, and, most importantly, because it is so culturally rich and inspiring
Photograph: Agi & Sam/Guardian
London collections final: Aitor London Collections
Aitor Throup
What are the inspirations and references for your collection? I have specific individual concepts from which I continuously develop and evolve. The existing concepts and narratives, of which there are six, include elements from Mongolian culture, the effects of ethnic stereotyping, New Orleans marching bands, military clothing and Hindu symbolism.
If you could give men one fashion tip, what would it be? Tuck your trousers into your socks and wrap your laces round your ankles before tying them.
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? It's cold, so it's ok to wear a jacket all year round
Photograph: Aitor/Guardian
London collections final: Astrid Anderson London Collections
Astrid Andersen
What are the inspirations and references for your collection? The subject of spiritual guidance has been at the inspiration for spring/summer 2013 - how my muse seeks an almost spiritual experience when working out, for example, both when reaching a state of ecstasy but also within the brotherhood he finds at the gym, which has in some ways replaced the church in modern society.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? To look comfortable and feel confident.
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? There is such a strong energy coming out of London menswear at the moment, both because of the amazing education within fashion but also because of all the new talent support that really is the backbone of this new generation of designers
Photograph: Astrid Anderson/Guardian
London collections final: Baartmans Siegel London Collections
Baartmans and Siegel
What are the inspirations and references for your collection? This season we were inspired by the 'Crab invasions' that happen each spring in Cuba, when millions of red and blue shelled crustaceans emerge from the sea to find their partner. We were more broadly inspired by the fishermen of Cuba- marrying the relaxed atmosphere of the island with nostalgic hues, mixed cultural influences and retro styles.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? If you are not comfortable in what you are wearing you will not be confident. Choose items that enhance the best of one's self. Clothing should support who you are and not jar against you.
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? London has a fantastically broad and dynamic mix of fashion. It's a nucleus for training and nurturing global fashion talent
Photograph: Baartmans Siegel/Guardian
London collections final: Cassette Playa London Collections
Carri Munden, Cassette Playa
What are the inspirations and references for your collection?  Spring/summer 2013 is inspired by my residency at Weltkuren Museum, Frankfurt's Anthropology Museum. I got to select pieces from their archive and I chose items relating to body adornment, tattooing and scarification, particularly rituals in Amazonian and Papua New Guinea.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? Be fearless.
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? A combination of heritage/tradition and innovation/creativity
Photograph: Cassette Playa/Guardian
London collections final: JW Anderson London Collections
JW Anderson
What are the inspirations and references for your collection? Lost, refinement and triptych. The collection feels very much like architectural youth culture.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be?
 Take a risk.
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? It's free and it's the birthplace of menswear
Photograph: JW Anderson/Guardian
London collections final: Pringle London Collections
Alistair Carr, Pringle of Scotland
What are the inspirations and references for your collection? Argyle structures. Opposing textures. Easy luxury. Urban adventure.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? Don't try too hard!
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? London has a unique style which is defined by the mix of cultures. There is so much diversity and everyone and everything is integrated and mismatched together, creating an inspiring fusion of different societies and ways of life. It has an amazing street culture and an incredible stock of exciting young designers pushing fashion forward and generating renewed interest in London as a fashion capital
Photograph: Pringle /Guardian
London collections final: Richard James London Collections
Richard James
What are the inspirations and references for your collection? Our spring/summer 2013 collection is called Urban Fete and it’s all about the city coming alive with colour and celebration. Bunting, balloons, streamers, flags and fairy lights provide a vivid, kaleidoscopic spectrum of colour. Street parties continue into the night. The prevailing mood is of indulgence, fun and generosity.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? Don’t be afraid of colour.
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? London has always stood for freedom of expression, both culturally and politically, and this has engendered a remarkable sense of appreciation for individuality that is reflected in the wonderfully idiosyncratic way that people dress
Photograph: Richard James/Guardian
London collections final: Shaun Shamson London Collections
Shaun Samson
What are the inspirations and references for your collection? I'm looking at how guys geek out on the customisation of vehicles. This includes low riders, hot rods and dekotora trucks in Japan. I'm also looking at the human as a vehicle and how people decorate and modify their own bodies.
If you could give men one fashion tip what would it be? Don't get suckered into fashion tips.
What makes London such a brilliant fashion capital? I think London has a more dynamic approach to design compared to other fashion cities. It welcomes new and radical ideas whilst celebrating the past and honouring tradition
Photograph: Shaun Shamson/Guardian
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