Raf Simons x Fred Perry S/S'11

It's somewhat hard to find collaborations within the fashion industry that can stand the test of time.Not only because of the shift in demand but also due to artistic differences.Designers are a very tricky bunch,they tend to explore,move on, forget and resurrect all at the same time which makes it even harder for a company that just wants to sell stuff!

That is not the case though with Fred Perry and Raf Simons. Already in their 7th collaboration, the designer goes back to basics for Spring/Summer 2011, re-working classic Fred Perry pieces boosting them up with the necessary hint of minimalistic Belgium essence.

Eager to add more of a couture feel to the Fred Perry designs, Simons is re-vamping the statement pieces by replacing the buttons with shiny metal zips and re-structures proportions with cleaner and sharper lines granting the collaboration a more youthful silhouette.

Featuring 38 pieces including classic tees, zip-through sweaters,skinny trousers and shorts exclusively manhandled by Simons, the S/S'11 Fred Perry x Raf Simons collaboration is launched on-line at www.fredperry.com and in Laurel stores today 17th of February.

By Andreas Menelaou Features Assistant

Jil Sander A/W 2011-12

With the A/W 2011-12 collection, Raf Simons is revisiting the origin of Jil Sander menswear - a reduced language of shape and a comforting expression of tailoring.

The new collection is an interpretation of Jil Sander but with a modernistic approach that is rich in texture, bold in color and even more so ,simplified in form.Substantial surfaces define the outline of most of the garments and emphasize their robust yet minimalistic appearance.

Simons proposed, the way he only can, square cut-suits in vibrant monochromatic tones,chunky parkas, quilted pants and tops and double layered turtlenecks creatively adjusting volume,proportions,design and colour in such a magnificently subtle way bringing together his excellent craftmanship with the simplistic structural composition of what made Jil Sander the powerhouse it is today.

by Andreas Menelaou , Features Assistant

A New Store In Town

When the secret reputation of Shoredtich in east London being an achingly cool, creative hub became mainstream, many fled further east. So it is no surprise that one of London's scrappiest areas, Dalston, is seeing rise to one of London's hottest new boutiques; LN-CC.

Stepping out from the virtual world into the real, a former boxing gym will soon become their highly polished, avant-garde concept store designed Gary Card. Commissioned by Creative Director John Skelton and partner Dan Mitchell, visitors will enter the store only to navigate themselves through a 'deconstructed' forest onto which they will end up in a wooden tunnel that represents 'the belly of a beast'. This adventure playground of retail is an interesting concept which Card has put an incredible amount of thought into, which reflects his creative thinking and artistic talent as a set designer.

The 6,000-square foot space, divided into seven different rooms, will have their own distinct atmosphere with a different tone and figurative temperature. With a mix of organic, industrial, warm and cold the main attraction of the store is the private club space which hosts a vintage sound system by Mickey Boyle - a name that is legendary within the club industry. However, another enticing feature will be a library with asymmetrical shelving that holds a diverse, rare and interesting titles often unseen in many other cities.


As for the fashion? They currently stock some of the biggest designers in the world such as Rick Owens, Raf Simons, Levi's and Vans, as well as some incredible new, young designers such as J W Anderson, Damir Doma and Mr. Olive. The selection is growing yet will see such pieces suspended on mannequins or just presented in an incredible space. It shall be hard not to be tempted to buy one piece, at least. But even if you don't it doesn't seem to bother LN-CC; "We don't care if you come here and don't actually buy anything - we are happy for you to take what ever you want from this, whether it be product, information or knowledge".

LN-CC is currently available online at ln-cc.com and the store will be open 'shortly'.

Words By Dan Hasby-Oliver

Up Close and Personal

Taken from Raf Simons latest campaign in honor of the brand's AW 10-11 collection, the designer continues his collaborative relationship with photographer Willy Vanderperre with this intimate short. Capturing models Aiden Andrews and Yannick Abrath staring intensely at the camera, with just a flicker of the clothing on show, the film unveils a conceptual vision of the new collection while at the same time adding to the anticipation of the new line.

Fashion Illustration...

New York-based illustrator Alfonso Gaitan shares his latest sketches with 7th Man, showcasing his passion for the design world in general. Above you can find the mood for Raf Simons Spring 2011 collection of easy proportions and volumes.

And, Tom Ford's Autumn look-book models are ever so casual with chicness.

To see more of Gaitan's work follow, AG+.

Raf not Rif

Well would you look here, Raf by Raf has pulled out all the pop stops for the AW10 collection.

The wearable staples such as biker jackets and duffel coats, have been transformed from boringly predictable to quirky and contrasting. Just look at those yellow PVC sleeves and those zips!

This suprisingly on tune collection from the diffusion range - belonging to a designer who certainly has his finger in a number of tasty pies - comes at a time when critics were beginning to think the worst of Simons capabilities.

The collection confirms contrast sleeves as one of the most commercial and accessible trends to come off the AW10 catwalks.

Textures and colours combining as if there were never any rules about them being seen together, whoever thought orange and yellow would work in such an understated way?

So the wang-ish [WRTW] leathers are not for the faint hearted but look at the padded denim bomber, simply sumptious, I'd readily push people out of the way for one of those to keep me warm next winter.

A master class in layering is also taught to us here: and an underlying message of 'anything goes' is simply not to be ignored.

Winter 2010 is sure to be a fun one, although maybe not if the models severe expression is a compulsory accessory to the looks...

http://www.rafbyrafsimons.com

ps: look at the gloves and try not to think about how snowflakes are going to be a mini trend for AW10.