“Pre-fall”, the clothes a designer delivers between the summer and autumn/winter catwalk collections proper, is becoming more fabulous by the second. Last week Céline, Stella McCartney and Balenciaga unveiled patchwork tweeds and a sculptural print mash-up. However, it was the Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci Pre-Fall that this column felt to be the triumph. Tisci presented a super-sharp yet feminine offering of useful wardrobe pieces, such as pleated skirts, cropped trousers, parkas and some serious handbags. Is there the whiff of a waiting list? Hell yeah.
Photograph: Givenchy
When this picture of Sir David Frost pinged into The Briefing’s inbox, there was a cry of excitement. SDF rocking a double-breasted suit jacket! Followed by, “and he’s wearing his briefcase like a fabulous oversized clutch bag!” Thank you Dunhill for your fantastic ad campaign, with its concept of no movie stars or models – just men of brilliance. The label is also staging a menswear show at London fashion week.
dunhill.com/uk
Photograph: Dunhill
In honour of Prada’s latest menswear collection, which was unveiled to an audience in Milan on Sunday – whose breath was truly bated – we give you personalised Prada bags. This rucksack is part of a trio: there’s a shopper and a trolley case too, upon which one can have one’s initials etched. Magical. And yes, to the more observant readers among you, these letters are indeed the same as those of our own Hadley Freeman. This is, however, merely a beautiful coincidence.
£590, prada.com
Photograph: Prada
Who knows what to call this? It’s a clog-boot, so, while blog is obvious, it’s already taken. This leaves cloot, which sounds rubbish. Oh well, well done Opening Ceremony, a hip New York brand, for creating this gorgeous between-season specimen.
£288, goodhoodstore.com
Photograph: Opening Ceremony
If further proof was needed that the jumpsuit is no longer restricted to women of high fashion, Austin Reed has produced this totally lovely one. It receives bonus points for its on-trend wide-leg trouser shape and the soft, flattering belt for knotting at the waist. It’s sleeveless, so it’ll take you through the spring-to-summer season. Wear now with a tailored jacket for day, faux fur at night.
£199, austinreed.co.uk
Photograph: Austin Reed
