Matthew Miller Backstage at MAN

Thanks to the support and sponsorship of Topman and Fashion East, MAN has helped created a whole new momentum in the London menswear scene. With each season it evolves in profile and importance but the SS12 lineup marked something of an energised beginning. The talent showcase is dedicated to heralding what’s new in menswear but this most recent cast of designers was one of the most exciting to date. With expectations running, the trio of Martine Rose, Shaun Samson and Matthew Miller did not disappoint. The show was without doubt one of the real highlights of the hectic day. In particular, the sight of Matthew Miller's models marching across the stunning Royal Oper House setting left me feeling strangely proud and wildly happy.

Regular readers will know that Miller is no newbie in our eyes. Ever since, Matthew Miller first came to my attention with his standout RCA MA graduate collection which explored notions of masculinity with a somewhat jovial approach to the macabre, I have kept a close on Miller's continued development and rise to prominence. His work has impressed us for a number of years now and after capturing the collective imagination with his AW11 presentation, his addition to the show lineup marked a much deserved step forward for the design talent. A step the design talent took in his stride. To help document his on schedule catwalk debut, Miller enlisted the help of Miha F Kalan to record backstage as the finishing touches were applied to his analysis of function and necessity in the masculine wardrobe. A quiet Sunday afternoon could not be further removed from the fevered chaos that goes on out of sight during fashion week, so it seems like the perfect time to watch on...