London Fashion Week ended on a high with what the British do best – menswear. The key collections of the day displayed a subtle edginess of the street, coupled with the immaculate cut of Savile Row.
E Tautz Spring/Summer 2012
E Tautz produced a quintessential Savile Row version of sportswear. Designer Patrick Grant looked to the early Olympic Games, when sportswear came in wool and thick cotton. Very Chariots of Fire mixed with Brideshead Revisited.
Rake's Spring Summer 2012 presentation at Claridges
Debonair was the word at Rake, where inspiration came from the jet set of the early Seventies. A late-night palette was used in the Rake Lounge range – EXCLUSIVE to Matches next season. Just the thing for smoke-filled rooms full of roguish, ultra stylish gentlemen.
Hardy Amies Spring/Summer 2012
Hardy Amies, whose designer, Claire Malcolm, presented a collection as beautifully cut as one might expect of such a prestigious house, uncovered the English eccentric that can be found lurking behind the label. Suits were worn with shorts rather than trousers, and sumptuous silk satin gave jackets a louche dandy feel.