Street Style @ LC:M: Mr. Jackson

Unfortunately our time delegation at London Collections was next to non-existent. Being, most likely, far too excited about what was on show we spent the most part of each day travelling from one place to another to see all we had agreed to.

As such we missed getting shots of a large proportion of the stylish gents dotted around the events.

From the whole 3 day spread we only managed to pin down one dapper dude for a photo. However that particular dude happens to be a very fucking cool dude indeed, and I wanted to say thank you to Mr Jackson who was very accommodating and kind enough to give us a photo.

Decked out head to ankle in Hackett and doing well with it, perfectly put together.

Paul Costelloe SS14 @ LC:M: A Closer Look

Paul Costelloe is an Irish born designer who moved to London with his business in 1999, set up in 1979 in Dublin, after a vast training experience in both France and Italy, the brand was expanded in the 1990's and pitched up in London's Knightsbridge.

Fast forward to the second decade of the new millenia and the brand is taking a large step to attract a new customer, a younger gentleman with a discerning eye and a keen interest in the finer detail of his garments.

At the behest of Chase PR we were invited to take a look at Paul's SS14 collection which was viewing at the Hospital Club in Covent Garden for London Collections: Men.

We were given a tour and informed chat by Matthew Coles from Chase PR who was in the showroom to lend a hand.

As you can see from the photo reel there are bunch of subtle pastel shades on display in his jackets as well as more gentrified herringbones and windowpane checks. The composition is more relaxed with a slightly padded shoulder, 'spalla camicia' (shirt shoulders) and patch pocket details. The fabrics have an open weave and are only one third lined to keep the wearer cool and comfortable in warmer temperatures.

As well as the jackets you will find chambray shirts, a superb selection of cotton trousers with side tabs fastenings rather than belt loops, and a wonderful array of hand rolled silk handkerchiefs. The handkerchiefs are carefully considered floral and paisley prints, the floral prints often concentrated in one quarter to allow for some diverse pocket artistry.

We'd like to say thank you to for the invite and we're very much looking forward to seeing the collection in stores.

Big thank you also to Matthew too who has really caught on to what we are hoping to convey through the blog, he's also a keen sartorialist with a blog of his own Topgrain.co.uk and has just been to Pitti Uomo the menswear trade show. Take a gander at what he saw on his travels, very good reading and some brilliant photos.

Mr. Start & Mr. Hare SS14 @ LC:M: A Closer Look

First impressions count and a venue is just as important in reflecting the mood of whats on offer, for buyers and editors alike. The feel and front of a brand is what stays with you, what you associate with a label is how you determine in what context you consider that clothing.

Mr. Start & Mr. Hare converged on the House of St Barnabas a stunning Georgian townhouse on Soho Square to unveil their wares for SS14. The aesthetic was akin to a cocktail party which is a perfect simile to each of the brands, Mr. Start known for their slim cut simple tailoring, and Mr. Hare who's footwear (something of beauty) has made it's mark on an extremely competitive market.

After being welcomed into the lobby of the residence we toured through the ground floor rooms to view the collections.

Mr. Start has it's home in Shoreditch and that youthful out-going synonym was prevalent in their Spring line.

As well as this more casual concept there were the usual tailored exploits this time including some debonair dinner jackets, complete with dickie bows.

Displayed effortlessly at the end of the tour in the last room amid a cocktail bar and free flowing rum was Mr. Hare's newest footwear.

Some incredible loafers on display in particular and some wonderful leather patina's too. I really like the mix of leather and suede and it seems to give a great depth of colour and contrast. Loads to look forward to early next year.

A big thank you to Mr. Start for our invite and also to Mr. Hare who we managed to have a very brief chat with, we're looking forward to the next presentations in 6 month's time.

London Collections: Men - Recap

In case you hadn't noticed our attention has been diverted over the last weekend and start of this week with what is, in it's third installment, becoming a staple of the menswear calendar. I am of course referring to the London Collections: Men, which has morphed from a day long procession at the end of London Fashion Week to a fully fledged winged Phoenix spread across 3 days and taking in some stunning venues across London.

Myself and Tee had the pleasure of being invited to a number of shows this time round, and enjoyed our first experience of some front row action dissecting and discussing new collections from some of our favourite brands.

There were a number of highlights, Hardy Amies 'took it up the Gherkin' and showed us why they have been a stalwart of the Row since taking up residency in 1945, a typically classic collection with hints of military inspiration and weekend wardrobe. Richard James also impressed, another Row resident whose collaborations with Marks & Spencer in recent years have not gone un-noticed, with a show that would have been just as at home on the English Riviera as in Mayfair.

Oliver Spencer offered up some great relaxed tailoring and Hockney-esque paint splattered trouser combinations. A celebration of muted tones and fabrics were on display at Nicole Farhi which seemed a fitting reflection of the weather, though the atmosphere at the shows was anything but.

More tailoring triumphs at Gieves & Hawkes who went all 1970's on us, with browns, pinks and neutral tones. Some really stand out pieces from their collection including a fantastic safari jacket and seuded leather, belted motorcycle jacket. Of course lets not forget the unencumbered flag bearer of British style Hackett, a show of which we had the pleasure of viewing at Old Billingsgate, and have already drooled over here.

We were also particularly excited by the Mr Hare & Mr Start partnership which was the perfect amount of dashing designer dinner and swanky swinging sole all rolled into a tightly knit ball, and we'll have a closer look at those collections soon.

Last but certainly not least we were invited to take a look at Paul Costelloe's SS14 offerings and we were extremely pleased to see a (predominantly tailored) range compiled of stunning traditional fabrics such as tweed and heavier twill cottons with lots of open weaves to keep you cool. We've got photo's and more on that too coming very soon so keep your eyes peeled on the blog.

All said and done, a ridiculously enjoyable few days and a lot to look forward to hitting the racks and rails of our shops early next year. Here's to a great event, long may in continue to grow and showcase what British menswear manufacturers and designers have to offer.

So three cheers for LC:M, The British Fashion Council for putting on the events and it's ambassadors Dylan Jones, David Gandy, Dermot O'leary and Tinie Tempah!

Photo Source: Guardian via Elliott Morgan

E. Tautz SS14 @ London Collections: Men

Nicole Farhi SS14 @ London Collections: Men

Burberry Prorsum SS14 @ London Collections: Men

Christopher Raeburn SS14 @ London Collections: Men

Pringle of Scotland SS14 @ London Collections: Men

Paul Smith SS14 @ London Collections: Men

CP Company SS14 @ London Collections: Men

rag & bone SS14 @ London Collections: Men

Savile Row & St James's SS14 @ London Collections: Men

Hackett SS14 @ LC:M: A Closer Look

Here's a closer look at the Hackett SS14 show which I think I can safely say, for me has been the highlight of the London Collections: Men.

Hackett is quintessentially British and unabashedly proud, it embodies all that is eccentric about British style but in the most appealing fashion.

RAKE SS14 @ London Collections: Men

Hackett London SS14 @ London Collections: Men

Orlebar Brown SS14 @ London Collections: Men

Oliver Spencer SS14 @ London Collections: Men

Margaret Howell SS14 @ London Collections: Men

YMC SS14 @ London Collections: Men