Alfred Dunhill retreats to the Mother Land

Alfred Dunhill has confirmed that he will show his AW11 collection entitled 'Home' at London Fashion Week during their shows in February.

His showcase will be in conjunction with the Capitals increasingly luxurious Men's Day which has closed the LFW proceedings for four seasons now.

Dunhill's showcase - as you can imagine - is far removed from the usual make shift runway in a tent, and is being held in Dunhill's free standing 18th Century Mayfair Mansion: Bourdon House which will add an incredible edge of prestige to his highly anticipated presentation.

This presentation will bring close LFW on February 22nd. This bit of news is sure to propell LFW's menswear day into an even higher realm of critical acclaim.

Preview: MAN At LFW

Autumn can be a bit of a depressing time for most as the carefree Summer becomes all but a distant memory. However a certain ray of sunshine does remain, especially for those within the fashion industry. Yes, from the 17th to the 22nd of September London is transformed into a mecca for stylish individuals who descend upon the nation's capital to positively lap-up the new season's trends as proffered by some of the world's leading fashion designers.

With iconic labels such as Burberry and Paul Smith gearing up in preparation for their upcoming shows, there's another show which is joining them in the ranks in creating the most buzz amongst fashion followers.

On Wednesday the 24th of September, at the epicentre of LFW's dedicated Men's Day, the original MAN showcase shall reveal its latest additions. Created in 2005 as an initiative between Topman and Fashion East, MAN has provided the ultimate platform for new menswear talent having identified, supported and presented such industry greats over the years as Kim Jones, James Long and Christopher Shannon amongst others.

Joining the ranks of MAN this season alongside New Power Studio, the brainchild of designer Thom Murphy, will be Central St. Martin's alum, Felipe Rojas Llanos as well as the ultimate reveal of Martine Rose's eponymous label.

Lulu Kennedy, Director of Fashion East says “Eleven seasons on and I'm thrilled that MAN is still pushing the forefront of British menswear talent. Working closely with the panel and Topman, We have once again come up with a line up that is fresh and representative of London now, from the expertise of Thom Murphy's New Power Studio, to the latest export from the master class of Central St Martin’s, Felipe Rojas Llanos via the talent and innovation of Martine Rose, she’s been on the panel’s radar through her installations - and now she’s ready to hit the runway”.

Felipe Rojas Llanos

Born in Chile in 1981, Felipe Rojas Llanos was raised in Sweden before he departed to London to complete his MA in Menswear at Central St Martin's in 2008. There, he received such accolades as being awarded a shared prize for best portfolio of the year from the design agency Smith. Further more, Felipe went on to show his collection entitled Suspended Animation as one of only four menswear designers at his course's LFW show, where he received the bursary award from none other than Giorgio Armani.

For his collection, Felipe has produced a carefully designed selection of clothing that are just as wearable as they are luxurious. Innovative and sophisticated, the garments fuse playfulness with a distinctive couture-like finish. Felipe's MA collection will be sold exclusively at Browns.

New Power Studio

London-based menswear label New Power Studio was launched back in 2009 and already has become a media favourite having been lauded by the critics in multiple international publications. Synonymous for its fresh, playful designs, New Power Studio's collection is instantly wearable.

It has shown at menswear day of LFW for the last three seasons, in the form of a Fashion East menswear installation, a film (whose images were simultaneously rendered into textile prints for the collection) and has also featured previously as part of the MAN runway show.

Martine Rose

This season marks the runway debut of Martine Rose's self-titled label. However, Martine has already made her mark at LFW having showcased previous collections with ambitious installations at Blacks member's club and Somerset House, all which have been very well received by press and industry alike.

This Wednesday, Martine shall unveil her collection entitled Love Is..., which no doubt shall succeed her previous offerings of bold, graphical garments in sophisticated silhouettes.

The On-Schedule MAN show will take place at 12.30pm on the 22nd of September.

The youngest menswear at LFW

London is probably the most avant garde fashion capital, therefore many from the next A/W 10/11 men collections are composed by eclectic, modern and fanciful garments.

The Mensday at London Fashion Week was full of very interesting proposals where we could once again reaffirm why London is the ideal market for young designers to launch their brands.

When talking about modernism and trendiness at LFW, a name springs up my mind very quickly: Katie Eary. She gave a meaning to the word 'show' with her animal lookalike prints, accessories and very colourful clothes.

White is not the preferred colour for this season either, but Central Saint Martins was dare enough to show some really cool white looks. Young designers are always meant to be the most risky ones.

TopMan Design upgraded the brand deciding to carry out their first independent catwalk. As it was expected, they did not disappoint anyone. The colour palette was dominated by green army, oxford red and black. The military inspiration look was reinforced with boots and other details such as necklaces and hats.

Bow down to Burberry and Bailey.

Burberry are set to become the first brand to host an actual global fashion show.

On 23rd February history will be in the making, the Burberry Prorsum WRTW show is scheduled to start at 4pm in the extensive courtyard of The Chelsea College of Art, but it is no longer exclusive to the specially invited VIP's of the fashion world.

The show will be streamed simultaneously in 3D at events in New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Dubai, ensuring that the fickle world of fashion is in fact, right at the very cutting edge of technology along with all the best [so the Oscar nominations suggest] film directors.

Christopher Bailey, the source of this ingenius plot for world domination said: "This unprecedented event will enable people to experience the energy and atmosphere of this show from around the world. 3D technology will bring our global audience into the London show space allowing them to see the colours and fabrics, to hear the music and to be a part of that moment when it all finally comes together.''

If the show is anywhere as near as spellbinding as the last two collections, then there shall be some open mouths worldwide at the debuting of Burberry's AW10 collection for the ladies.

Backstage at Komakino

For their SS'2010 Menswear collection, designers Federico Capalbo and Jin Kim deconstructs and recomposes religious, political and classic images to create a contradiction of refined tailoring and deconstruction.

This predominately black collection featured leathers, printed panels and fabric manipulations with military, neo-classical and street details - with a nod to 80s rebellion.

The couture rubber pieces were collaborated with Atsuko Kudo, the jewelry and metallic headpieces with accessories designer Keko Hainwheeler.

(www.KomakinoDesign.com)

Images James Pinkie Terry

b Store "The Graduate"

7th MAN asked the designer duo Matthew Murphy and Kirk Beattie the story behind the new collection.

"It started with Benjamin Braddock, who is the main character of the movie The Graduate. Then we moved it slightly to Americana sportswear, rich kids playing in the Hamptons with million pound pads.”

With checkered and striped button downs, blazers and pants, mostly rolled up a bit, relaxed shorts, and sweaters wrapped around the shoulders. Classical comes to mind with an American feeling, but never losing its British charm.

"Menswear today is going back to the traditional ways, their is no fuss, good pair of pants and jacket." said designer Kirk Beattie.

b Store’s own shoes for Spring 2009.

(www.bStoreLondon.com)

- Online Contributing Editor: NJD

Images James Pinkie Terry

Fashion East Installments - Favorites

**SIBLING SS'2010

This season striped tops have been everywhere. From the runway to the streets. This Sibling light sweater is the perfect balance between style and edge.

Patterns are always important. You can not go wrong with this one. Black on Black patterns are a safe way to go.

(www.SiblingLondon.com)

***JOE CASELY-HAYFORD SS'2010

Joe Casely-Hayford small collection represents a unique experisson of feelings. 7th man was intriguged by the choice of patterns. Individuality in a good way.

Shoes at Joe Casely-Hayford:

(www.Casely-Hayford.com)

-Online Contributing Editor - NJD

Lou Dalton's "Corsairs"

For Spring 2010 Lou Dalton goes sailing, and we welcome her with open arms. The top male models of the moment (Cole Mohr, Josh Beech) spotted blazers, knitted tops, and khaki bottoms on the runway in the Portico Rooms of Somerset House. But what made this collection special was the modern touch given to them: the jackets were paired with stripe scarves, and belts to give the nautical effect. The tops had crystals that sparkled, and pants looked like they were tailored perfectly.

7th MAN had a few words with the designer, “Napolean’s adventures” she said. “It is an exciting time for menswear today, in London. It is up, and quite important.”

The accessories were key pieces for this collection. Hats were covered in gold, and navy satins. (Courtesy of Bernstock Speirs) Round sunglasses that will be an important trend for next season were provided by Linda Farrow. Suede, and leather shoes from Grenson, and the ruffled metallic corsages here and there giving this quirky and modern collection the final touch.

www.LouDalton.com

Online Contributing Editor - NJD

Fairground Fun at Mulberry

The Mulberry SS'10 ladies shows took place earlier today at the prestigious Claridges Hotel. There were Salon-style presentations at 4 different time slots which allowed for a more intimate look at the collection in a more relaxed environment, and more flexible for the packed LFW schedule.

On arrival to the Claridges Ballroom, the entire space was transformed into a candy-colored fairground, complete with carousel horses, helium balloons, and candy apples on our seats!

The ready-to-wear collection featured cute lightweight summer dresses teamed with relaxed tomboy tailoring.

There were soft puff sleeve jackets and dresses, fitted tops and pleat front shorts. These were shown in large, over sized, abstract carousel horse/horse head and fuzzy florals prints, in a palette of vivid sun-bleached brights as well as more neutral tones:

There were also some super chic black pieces in satin back crepe with over sized bows on them, and the leather, fabric and gemstone embellishments in the final section of the show were fun and paid homage to the prom night corsage:

The classic Mulberry Biker jacket was updated this season in soft washed leather: in nude, butter, mushroom and black.

The Mulberry accessories remains strong for SS'10. The humble Moccasin has been transformed into a high heel bootie with suede fringing long enough to touch the ground! Long leather and suede fringing also featured on the handbags:

What made us smile especially were the Mulberry dog outfits worn by the pugs in the show - in logo coated canvas and denim:

It was a really sweet and optimistic show and we left the presentation with a warm smile on our faces.

(On a sad note though, Mulberry will no longer be doing Menswear after AW09.... we hope that this will change as the economy improved. The Mens accessories line will continue.)

PPQ Show @ Redbull Fashion Factory

Tonight 7th Man attended the PPQ show at the Redbull Fashion Factory.

The whole place was rammed full of people as we sipped Redbull cocktails in the waiting area. But it was only when we sat down did we noticed how packed the whole place was - if there was a fire tonight, London would have lost

more than half of the its fashion industry!!!

The show itself was really beautiful. PPQ only used black models, which with their rich dark skin tones offset perfectly the bold colours (citrus brights) and patterns (stripes, spots and florals) of the clothing. The accessories from bags to jewellery were equally statement making too.

The over sized frill details give the clothing much movement and flirtiness as the models worked the triangular runway.

PPQ has been really busy this season: as well as a putting together this great collection, they have also collaborated with Adidas on a range of sportswear, with Figleaves.com on a holiday collection (one of the swimsuits were featured in the show tonight)..... as well as creating a limited edition bottle for Harveys Bristol Cream!

The front row featured the cool London set such as Alexa Chung, Peaches Geldof and Natt Weller, who each was treated to a MASSIVE PPQ goody bag in the shape of a cat's face!

After the show, we sampled these delicious Harveys Bristol Cream cocktails served at the Mayfair Hotel situated just by Green Park, before returning to the Redbull Fashion Factory later on for a phenomenal party - DJs, live band, more Redbull cocktails and of course, unashamed dancing!!

(....Shame I had to catch the last train home.... gotta pace myself - not even half way through fashion week yet!!!)

BLOW Presents @ Royal Festive Hall

One of the most exciting creative highlights of the London Fashion Week schedule so far is the "BLOW Presents" show at The Royal Festival Hall.

This season, "Blow Presents" features 4 different designers - the 'new wave of fashion prodigies': Charlie Le Mindu, Gemma Slack, Lina Osterman and Iris van Herpen.

On arrival, we were amazed that this event has taken over all of the main space, and seats were laid out around the balcony edges for the general public on level 2. Throughout the day, there were other activities open to the general public also: fashion workshops where they can create their own accessories and a Junior catwalk show hosted by VV Brown, in collaborations with designers Bora Aksu, Gavin Douglas, Naomi Ryder and Avsh AlonGur.

Its really wonderful to see how the general public can be a part of the excitement of London Fashion Week on a more hands-on, interactive level.

The "BLOW Presents" show opened with the wonderful and wild creations of Charlie Le Mindu. His collection was called "Girls of Paradise", where 'city architecture hits nature's beauty head on' - there were huge gravity-defying, over sized architectural shapes and outfits made out of hair, as well as a fantastic headdress of the Eiffel Tower that lit up!!

The next collection was by Gemma Slack, inspired by fem characters in classic comics and heavy metal girls.

There were slashed leather pieces as well as metal plates riveted onto leather and metal dresses: very 80s and exudes full-on unabashed sexual power:

Next up was Lina Osterman, her first catwalk show since graduating from Central St, Martins.

This was the only collection that included menswear.

Featuring interesting layering and proportions, with knits in a Gothic/punk theme and an almost monochrome palette.

(The models had hair that totally covered their eyes - one of the guys nearly walked into the audience!!)

Last but certainly not least is the phenomenal collection by Iris van Herpen.

This intricate collection, made out of mostly leather, features fantastical shapes of beautiful textures and patterns - across between Art Nouveau architecture and the eerie alien paintings of H.R. Giger.

The craftsmanship of each 11 handmade pieces - collaborated with artist Bart Hess - is flawless to the eye and really are fascinating to look at. These are true works of art.

Interestingly, there seems to be a running theme of bondage and S&M connecting all these four collections: the latex bodysuits at Charlie Le Mindu, the hard leather and metal at Gemma Slack, the body harnesses at Lina Osterman, and the leather detailing snaking around and encasing the body at Iris van Herpen......

Its was really fantastic to see such diverse creative talents all included in one show - definitely a show that illustrated the creativity and raw talent that is signature to London designers.

Have we mentioned how super-friendly and accommodating the staff at BLOW PR is?

Thanks guys!