Fashion East's menswear installations, curated by the lovely Lulu Kennedy, will take place in the East Wing and Vaults at Somerset House and we can't wait to see how the installations transform and takeover the space. The twelve designers showcasing their designs include Blaak, Casely-Hayford, Eastpak by Christopher Shannon, H by Harris, Husam el Odeh, Jaiden rVa James, Jordan Askill, Louise Gray, Martine Rose, Mr Hare, New Power Studio and Sibling. Over the course of the week we will speak to a number designers taking part, first up Jaiden rVa James and H by Harris.
The talented design duo Jaiden rVa JamesThese are exciting times right now for menswear in London and Jaiden rVa James are certainly two of the reasons why. As part of the MAN house installation last season the talented design duo took a dark turn towards the character of Orphelia and conjured up many talking points with a mix of floral skirts, PVC bondage trousers and straight jackets. We can't wait to see what they serve up this season...
SS: What were your inspirations for the collection?
Jaiden rVa James: Life & Youth
SS: What are you most looking forward to showing on the 23rd September?
Jaiden rVa James: Being a part of the second menswear day as we was a part of the 1st and hope to remain a part of it for a while to come , LFW's 25th celebrations and LFW overall. Also super excited to see Katie Eary at MAN catwalk if we have the time, also to see how James Long does and what he comes up with in his solo show and New-Gen men which is investing in the array of talent that London has produced. Hopefully past MAN designers like Cassette Playa & Carola Euler will be able to come back and make London a power house of talent for both sexes.
SS: Have you got any anecdotes of making the collection that you can share?
Jaiden rVa James: As always Fashion before food
SS: What item of clothing (if any) do you wish that more men wore?
Jaiden rVa James: Confidence its not a piece of clothing but if they had this certain quality then the daring work of London's menswear designers could be worn with ease.
SS: Aside from your own, which collections are you looking forward to seeing?
Jaiden rVa James: James Long, Burberry, MAN show, Katie Eary, Luella, Jeremy Scott, Louise Goldin... I guess we should stop there before we say the whole list! LFW is one of the highlights of our year, so I guess above all we are looking forward to it in general.
SS: What were your inspirations for the collection?
Jaiden rVa James: Life & Youth
SS: What are you most looking forward to showing on the 23rd September?
Jaiden rVa James: Being a part of the second menswear day as we was a part of the 1st and hope to remain a part of it for a while to come , LFW's 25th celebrations and LFW overall. Also super excited to see Katie Eary at MAN catwalk if we have the time, also to see how James Long does and what he comes up with in his solo show and New-Gen men which is investing in the array of talent that London has produced. Hopefully past MAN designers like Cassette Playa & Carola Euler will be able to come back and make London a power house of talent for both sexes.
SS: Have you got any anecdotes of making the collection that you can share?
Jaiden rVa James: As always Fashion before food
SS: What item of clothing (if any) do you wish that more men wore?
Jaiden rVa James: Confidence its not a piece of clothing but if they had this certain quality then the daring work of London's menswear designers could be worn with ease.
SS: Aside from your own, which collections are you looking forward to seeing?
Jaiden rVa James: James Long, Burberry, MAN show, Katie Eary, Luella, Jeremy Scott, Louise Goldin... I guess we should stop there before we say the whole list! LFW is one of the highlights of our year, so I guess above all we are looking forward to it in general.
After completing a degree in Interior Architecture and Design, Harris Elliott established himself as a leading stylist in fashion and music. Thankfully for us, Harris shifted his immediate attention from the likes of Mark Ronson and turned to luggage design and the neglected world of accessories. The debut H by Harris collection comprises of two lines, the Q hand quilted nappa leather and the SH wax hide leather collection. Styles include rucksacks, totes, weekend bags, satchels and laptop skins and of course the H jacket which Steve has been drooling over for some time.
SS: What were your inspirations for the collection?
Harris Elliott: Camouflage and cocoons, to be protected and invisible at the same time. I was nspired to design a collection that embodies luxury utility fatigues.
SS: What are you most looking forward to showing on the 23rd September?
Harris Elliott: For me it has to be the space, as it's great to be able to create your own environment for your collection to be viewed in. Entitled 'Cell block H', it links to the Browns men’s window installation we are doing for fashion week. The two spaces forming a 3-dimensional extension of the collection. Also the 'H= jacket', the show piece which will be the centre of both installations.
SS: Have you got any anecdotes of making the collection that you can share?
Harris Elliott: It has got to be the happy mistakes. I designed a bag purely to carry samples in, then was constantly asked by people to sell it as a collection piece. Another sample was made by my factory contrary to my instructions, there was no time to make another sample but it turned out to be a really popular piece. Lesson learned, believe in the spaces in between the lines....
SS: What item of clothing (if any) do you wish that more men wore?
Harris Elliott: It's got to be a hat, a good hat always finishes off an outfit. Guys are getting better over here but not a patch on Japanese men.
SS: Aside from your own, which collections are you looking forward to seeing?
Harris Elliott: I'm looking forward to seeing Casely-Hayford and Blaak. Both those labels design garments that as a creative make you smile, as there are always details and cuts that make you say wow!
Harris Elliott: Camouflage and cocoons, to be protected and invisible at the same time. I was nspired to design a collection that embodies luxury utility fatigues.
SS: What are you most looking forward to showing on the 23rd September?
Harris Elliott: For me it has to be the space, as it's great to be able to create your own environment for your collection to be viewed in. Entitled 'Cell block H', it links to the Browns men’s window installation we are doing for fashion week. The two spaces forming a 3-dimensional extension of the collection. Also the 'H= jacket', the show piece which will be the centre of both installations.
SS: Have you got any anecdotes of making the collection that you can share?
Harris Elliott: It has got to be the happy mistakes. I designed a bag purely to carry samples in, then was constantly asked by people to sell it as a collection piece. Another sample was made by my factory contrary to my instructions, there was no time to make another sample but it turned out to be a really popular piece. Lesson learned, believe in the spaces in between the lines....
SS: What item of clothing (if any) do you wish that more men wore?
Harris Elliott: It's got to be a hat, a good hat always finishes off an outfit. Guys are getting better over here but not a patch on Japanese men.
SS: Aside from your own, which collections are you looking forward to seeing?
Harris Elliott: I'm looking forward to seeing Casely-Hayford and Blaak. Both those labels design garments that as a creative make you smile, as there are always details and cuts that make you say wow!
1 comment:
So good to see London support so many 'new' designers this year.
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