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The Diary of a London Collections Competition Winner

#Topman360 (yup, we use the hashtag outside of Twitter!) competition winner Jonny Clowes, gives us his account of his day as a front-row guest at the Topman A/W 13 show at London Collections: Men '13, plus a few pics from his v.i.p p.o.v! (yup, we like acronyms).

So, in his own words...

A week ago I received an email from Topman Design telling me that I had won front row tickets to the Topman Design A/W 2013 show as part of the ‘London Collections: Men’ fashion week. Out of all the applicants on Facebook, I had won. I got myself down to London, turned up at the Old Sorting Office on New Oxford Street, excited to experience in real life what I had always only seen in pictures, and bypassed the queue of eager, stylish people to pick up my front row ticket.

After a short while of people watching, soaking up the buzzing atmosphere and seeking out celebrities (David Gandy, Tinie Tempah, Henry Holland and Grimmy, amongst others, were also sat on the front row), the lights were brightened, the bassy music kicked in and I put my camera on standby as the models came out. I was sat right next to the mass of press cameras so had a brilliant view as they walked towards me. 

The first stage of the show consisted of mild whites and creams but as it went on, the outfits picked up vibrant hues of orange and fuchsia, representing ‘the enriching journey of a young man imbuing his spirit through the landscape and cultures’. The explorer had left behind the clean, modest, functional tones and adopted spicier, brighter colours. Explorer rucksacks with compasses, iPads and hipflasks hanging off them were worn, along with both oversized and cropped parkas and hiking socks teamed with leather explorer boots in shifting shades.

I loved all the outdoorsy, autumnal clothing, especially the boots - my preferred being cream with a metallic, gold band across the top. I wear thick-soled (I’m quite short) boots quite often so was pleased to see similar ones on the runway!

 

As the models continued to pass us, the colonial, convenient clothing was contrasted and intertwined with elegant and established items with a nostalgic nod to the 70’s – large collars, fur collars, roll neck knitwear, double breasted suits, silk jackets, Tibetan-print pea coats, an orange belted cardigan (another of my favourite pieces) and even socks and sandals. After the rich tones of the core of the show, the colours of the clothing deepened and matured into the third and final stage of the collection, finishing with my favourite piece of the whole show – a black pea coat with a fur colour, connecting back to the white version earlier on in the collection. 

Before I knew it, all the models were walking out in a line, showing the entire collection from whites and creams to oranges and pinks to ‘garnet and ox blood’, reflectively ending with the midnight blues and blacks – the complete modernised journey of the ‘early gentleman explorer’. The bright lights were dimmed and the show was over; after a brief interview, we followed the rich, famous and fashionable out of the building, along with our goodie-bags containing a day pass to a luxury health spa amongst other freebies.

I am so grateful to Topman for the opportunity as I really enjoyed the day and now can’t wait for Autumn/Winter to arrive!

The Topman Design Autumn/Winter '13 collection will be available online and selected stores this September.

We also asked Jonny a few questions on his opinion of the show, so be on the look out for that! 

Preserving Traditions With Savile Row

Fashionable places come and go. People moved away from Carnaby Street and already the buzz of Shoreditch is fading and moving towards Dalston. But there is one fashion location that has always remained inspiring and provocative – Savile Row.

Photo from gq-magazine.co.uk

Dressing London’s finest gentlemen since 1846, Savile Row’s influence has never dwindled and has always been the go-to place for superior suiting elegance. Although sales dwindled when the easier and more accessible ready-to-wear suits came into fashion, Savile Row bounced back and proved that there’s still an important place for iconic style and professional tailoring.

So how did they fare at London Collections: Men AW13? Topman took a trip down to Spencer House to view what they had to show with their English Gentleman line. Spoiler alert: amazing.

Photo from dailymail.co.uk

Spencer House is a grand old private palace situated near Green Park, and looking at it from the outside you wonder how anyone could put on a fashion show here.

Walking into the house you could clearly see that it wasn't just a show, but an actual real life presentation, which seen models dressed to the nines in formalwear, lounging in armchairs reading books and sitting at dinner tables deep in conversation. It was like an interactive Downton Abbey and an incredible innovation for London Collections: Men to say the least.

Some of the most intriguing pieces to stand out of the whole presentation were the military inspired costumes on display in the Palm Room. On show here were the works of Dege & Skinner, Henry Poole & Co, and Gieves and Hawkes, which consisted of regal outfits completed with medals, gold lace detailing, and even swords.

It’s incredible that even after 150 years Savile Row can still remain relevant with the same ideals that made them so special in the first place. Here’s to the next 150.

 

Get your classic look now with Topman’s wide range of casual and formal suits.

London Collections : Men - Topman Design AW13 Show

It’s that time of year again. Forget Christmas, London Collections: Men AW13 is the real celebration of the year. For this season, Topman Design created a stunning array of explorer themed pieces consisting of bright parkas all the way to double breasted blazers. The story follows a man travelling around the world who picks up an assortment of different cultural influences and incorporates them into his style.

It all starts off quite neutral with soft whites and paler colours that take over parkas and turtlenecks, signifying the start of the journey.

Photo By Dan Hasby-Oliver

But as the journey goes on, the story intensifies and turns into warm burgundies and navy hues, which stand out in key pieces such as the fur coat and double breasted blazers. This is where the travelling comes to an end.

Photo Taken By Dan Hasby-Oliver

It was definitely in the details that made this exploring collection so special. Compasses and hip flasks hung from backpacks to give the piece a real authentic and classic look. This was all topped off and complimented by some amazing high hiking boots.

The show was deemed a huge success and trended worldwide on Twitter, with the Topman 360 app (which allowed you to view front row style with a 360 degree angle) going down a storm with online fashion lovers.

Photo From entertainmentwise.com

At the event were a number of special guest Tweeters that included journalists, bloggers and designers: @TheSTStyle, @HenryHolland, @_lulukennedy, @TheChicGeekcouk, @lsofd, @simonchilvers, @charlie_porter, @helenseamons, @individualism, @DetailsMatt. Also at the event were a number of celebrities including Tinie Tempah, David Gandy and Ronnie Wood. All of which you could interact with via Twitter by using our unique app.

 

Now it’s time to sit back and relax. Just joking, on to SS14…

Blood Red Shoes

Musicians have forever remained at the height of style. Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Paul Weller, Alex Turner - the list goes on. To celebrate the looming London Collections: Men, we have spoken to some of today’s most style conscious artists. First we talk to Steven Ansell, drummer from heavy rock two piece Blood Red Shoes, about his leather jacket clad icons and why music and fashion have always been intrinsically linked.

 

Blood Red Shoes - Picture From lostinconcert.com

 

How do you think fashion and music relate?

I guess, from the beginning, the rebelliousness of the rock ‘n’ roll thing wasn’t just about the music, it was a presentation thing; presenting yourself in a way society thought wasn’t the standard way to look. It was a rebellious gesture in the way that making music was a rebellious gesture. So since that point there’s been a correlation between the two.

 

Who do you think the best dressed musician of all time is?

Of all time? Hmm, I’m trying to think of ones that didn’t end up looking really lame later on in life. Laura (shouts to Laura, the other half of Blood Red Shoes), who’s the best dressed musician? It’s tricky, because everyone ends up looking really bad at some point. PATTI SMITH! She’s maintained herself androgynously; it’s an interesting style that’s not common.

Patti Smith - Picture From huffingtonpost.com

 

Do you think artists have stopped caring about fashion as much compared to the times of Bowie and Reed?

No, a lot of bands care way more about style. I mean that not just in terms of how they dress, but in terms of their music; quite stylised overall – before they’ve actually figured out basic stuff like how to be in a good band, or write good songs, or get some good chemistry going with the people in the band.

 

Not to cause arguments, but who would you say is the best dressed out of Blood Red Shoes?

Laura! I just stick to leather jacket and jeans all the time – I’m sticking to the classics! I just want to look like I’m in The Clash.

The Clash - Picture From last.fm

 

Are you keeping your leather jacket on in even though you’re in Australia at the moment?

No, I took my t-shirts out of my suitcase and cut all the arms off and I rolled my jeans up to my knees because I don’t own a pair of shorts!

 

What’s the fashion in Brighton like? We imagine it to be a clichéd ‘mods and rockers’ kind of scene.

It’s crazy and eclectic; really old school mods and people that are really into old shit. Like women into ‘30s and ‘40s dresses, and guys who go out in really old school moustaches, suits and pipes as a look. Guys that are like 25. There’s a real trend for that in Brighton – real old eccentric British. I don’t see that so much anywhere else. There’s also an art university in Brighton that has insane art kids that come out with their own fashions that look like some sort of post modern hybrid of any element of fashion of the last 50 years.

Blood Red Shoes’ new EP ‘The Water’ is out Monday, January 21^st on V2 records. They will play London’s Shepherds Bush Empire on Tuesday, January 22^nd.

You will also be able to interact with bloggers and celebrities through our innovative London Collections: Men app and get an incredible 360 degree view of the show. See you on the front row... 

London Collections: Men AW13 | Meet The Team: Michael

With 'London Collections AW13: Men' fast approaching, we take a look at the hard working and dedicated Topman Design team that pulls it all off and makes it such a success. 

Meet Junior Designer Michael Nurse - who tells us why sometimes, things not working out isn't such a bad thing!

 

Introduce yourself and what you do!

 Michael Nurse, Junior Designer - Topman Design.

What have you been busy doing in the build up to London Collections?

Working with the creative/design directors and the stylist's (Brian McMahon's) team on everything from working on the initial concept of the show, colour and print, product development and fabric sourcing, experimenting with washing and dying techniques through to sketching up and styling the finished garments. 

Who do you hope to see?

Selina Scott and Jeff Banks.

What can we find you doing on the day?

After the show it's usually a boozey lunch with the rest of the team and then on to catch some of the other shows and presentations.

What can we find you doing on a typical day at Topman?

I don't really have a typical day - today I was hand dying fabric with hair dye at the same time I was approving artworks to send to the digital printers.

What’s been the most exciting part of the process?

I always love it when you think something isn't going to work out, like printing on a particular fabric and it ends up looking great. It's always the little successes that make it work.

Who’s the one person you’d want to see in TMD? 

A young Oliver Reed or James Fox.         

What advice would you give for someone wanting to get into your role?

Take your time, be flexible but confident of the things you want to end up doing. Get some good solid work experience

Finish this sentence: “Doing what I do, you have to be very….”  and why?

Willing and able. Because you never know what the day is going to throw at you.

You will also be able to interact with bloggers and celebrities through our innovative London Collections: Men app and get an incredible 360 degree view of the show. See you on the front row... 

London Collections: Men Rules

An opportunity to sit front row during London Collections: Men is a dream – liaising with celebrities, the endless parties, the finest clothes. But what would you actually do in that situation? Most of us would probably take too much champagne, ask the movie star next to us to ring our parents and say hello, take photos of everything and everyone every 5 seconds etc. Just in case you ever find yourself in this surreal situation and don't want to get chucked out by a trendy bouncer, we have provided some dos and don’ts when sitting with the fashion elite – prepared by fashion week veteran Simon Chilvers, Assistant Fashion Editor of The Guardian.

 

Topman Design AW12 - www.catwalk.com

 

1. Always ask celebrities or editors first before you take their picture – it's just good manners. There is nothing worse than being shouted at by a burly security dude in front of the FROW.

 

2. If you sit next to or behind a celebrity, try and look vaguely in a good mood. I was behind Tinie Tempah at a show once and he was papped to death, and the picture of me gurning in the background ended doing the rounds on the internet and I looked a right weirdo.

 

3. Just because a designer is hot-right-now doesn't mean you should wear their clothes if they're not actually your bag. Ditto the latest trends. There is nothing worse than spending a whole day at the shows in an outfit that you've picked out because it's a bit of a "look" but not really your look. I always mix a few new things with some old wardrobe faithfuls so there’s a balance.

 

4. Going backstage after a show and soaking up a bit of that atmosphere is one of my favourite parts of the job. I love seeing the model boards, which are basically all the outfits photographed on the models and pinned onto a board in the running order of the show. Another perk is talking to the designer about the ideas behind the collection, the fabrics they've used and so on. 

 

5. It's physically impossible to go to every single show or presentation during London Collections: Men, so you have to work out what you really want to see. I have to decide which shows I think are going to be good to report on for the newspaper as well as making sure I'm seeing new designers, things that I know will cement trends and collections that I think will have influence. Also, it's always worth going to one thing you think you won't like. 

 

6. In London, I'm always excited to see what the designers at MAN will do because so many of my favourite London menswear designers have emerged from this group show. Ditto Topman Design because it's important to see what trends the high-street is backing for next season.

 

7. Take lots of photos of things that excite you but not so many that you forget to watch the show itself. 

 

8. Don't be afraid to talk to the people who are sitting around you but also know when to take the hint if they're on their phone/emailing/writing etc. 

 

9. Never pass up a canapé. Ever. Ditto a glass of booze.

 

10. Go to the loo whenever you get the chance. There is nothing worse than drinking too much water/coffee/champagne and then being stuck in a queue/show that's running late/hideous traffic.

 

Topman Design’s show will be on Monday, 7^th January at the Topman Show Space at 12:00. For more information - http://tpmn.co/10T9Iq0 

You will also be able to interact with bloggers and celebrities through our innovative London Collections: Men app and get an incredible 360 degree view of the show. See you on the front row... 

London Collections: Men AW13 | Meet The Team: Eleonor

With 'London Collections AW13: Men' fast approaching, we take a look at the hard working and dedicated Topman Design team that pulls it all off and makes it such a success. 

From pattern cutting to drawing, we see how Topman Design garments are brought to life for one of the biggest fashion events of the year. It's not all about champagne and parties, y'know.

First up is Knitwear Designer Eleonor Schoelkopf - who tells us how crazy the lead up to the big day is, and why spinning plates is an important skill in her role! 

Introduce yourself and what you do!

I'm the knitwear designer for Topman, I design all knitwear for the brand- main range collections, Topman Design and Topman LTD. I also work on any Designer knitwear collaborations.

What have you been busy doing in the build up to London Collections?

The process of creating the show evolves over a number of months, we work as a team on the concept and then I design the knitwear for the show. It's quite a time consuming process as each piece needs to be perfect and we only get one shot at each garment. At this stage I am chasing the factory for the samples so we can start to style the show, right now its the calm before the storm, the few days leading up to the show will be crazy, last minute changes, lots of hand finishing and late nights. That's the really exciting part - all working together to make it happen.

Who do you hope to see?

We usually have a great mix of people at the show, its nice to see young, cool celebs who are excited about the collection. I think we attract a young yet sophisticated audience. Personally I get really excited when we have great fashion journalists at the show, they are the people who really count, it'd be great to get Anna Wintour in the front row.

What can we find you doing on the day?

I'll be watching the show, not back stage, my work is done and its left to the stylist and back stage team. Its great to actually be able to relax and enjoy the show, that's the most exciting part, seeing your work on the runway. I'll also be attending other shows, I always make sure I go to see the MAN show, Fashion East Installations and James Long.

What’s been the most exciting part?

The most exciting part is watching the show, getting to see your designs on the runway. A lot of love and attention to detail goes into designing each piece, so seeing it styled up on the runway is really rewarding.

Who’s the one person you’d want to see in Topman Design? 

I love the fact that Alexa Chung wore TMD SS12 to the last catwalk show, just because its shown on a guy doesn't mean that only guys can wear it. That is what's great about the London Collections show- anything goes! The menswear shows are where you see the most diverse selection of people and creative ideas. 

What advice would you give for someone wanting to get into your role?

Work hard. Always use your intuition, there is no right or wrong in the fashion world, if you believe in an idea strongly, stick to it. Make it happen- it'll never be an easy ride but if you persist you never know where you might get to.

Finish this sentence: “Doing what I do, you have to be very….”

... good at spinning plates! There is always a multitude of things going on. In one day I could have around 20 jobs that need to get done so its working out how to do them simultaneously while meeting my deadline.

 

You will also be able to interact with bloggers and celebrities through our innovative London Collections: Men app and get an incredible 360 degree view of the show. See you on the front row... 

London Collections: Men AW13

 

January is usually a terribly depressing month. No more parties, no more excessive meat consumption, no more dressing up fancy just for the fun of it. Well, if you’re looking for a cure to those blues, here it is – London Collections: Men.

 

Hailed as one of the greatest fashion events of the year by Prince Charles, GQ Editor Dylan Jones and an array of music moguls including Tinie Tempah, London Collections: Men returns January 7^th to showcase the highly anticipated trends for AW13.

 

Here’s a guide to some of the shows we’re most looking forward to. Move out the way, Christmas, London Collections is coming to town.

 

James Long

His knitwear collection for Topman is absolutely astonishing. Taking inspiration from his musical heroes including Keith Richards and the Sex Pistols, Long created a line of highly luxurious jumpers and cardigans (using the finest British yarn) with serious edge. Now he returns to show us what else he has up his extremely warm and stylish sleeves. Shop James Long knitwear now.

 

James Long’s show will be on Tuesday, 8^th January, at the BFC Show Space at 20:00.

 

                      Catwalk.com

 

Topman Design

We return to the catwalk with Topman Design to show our premium line. It will be one of the first major events to kick off the week and we never fail to impress. We have also just unveiled that you will be able to watch the show via the Web – with a 360 degree webcam view! You’ll also get to see what your favourite celebs are Tweeting on the front row, as they will be shown on your computer screen for you to read and interact with. Futuristic or what! We are one of the first brands to put on this innovative event in the fashion world, as we wanted to connect and get more involved with our audience. You can watch this unique show on our Facebook, official website and online magazine - Topman Generation. You can also enter a competition to win two front row tickets to the event from Wednesday, 19^th December, just head over to our Facebook page to find out more. We hope you enjoy the show.

 

Topman Design’s show will be on Monday, 7^th January, at the Topman Show Space at 12:00.

 

               Elisarolle.com

 

Nutters of Savile Row x Peter Werth

An extremely interesting collaboration to say the least, as the late and great Tommy Nutter is one of the most iconic figures of Savile Row. Creating new cuts and wider lapels that were completely unique in the Swinging Sixties, Tommy attracted everyone from the Beatles to the Rolling Stones with his avant-garde suit designs. Now that Nutters’ designers are working with Peter Werth, famous for their elegantly quintessential British styling, who knows what the outcome will be? Whatever it is, it’ll be the talk of London Collections: Men.

 

Nutters of Savile Row x Peter Werth’s show will be on Wednesday, 9^th January, at W1: 1- 3 Coventry Street at 18:00.

 

 

                       Catwalk.com

 

J.W Anderson

His range for Topshop was massive. As soon as his collection came out, it was only a matter of hours until half of London was carrying a J.W. Topshop bag. A hint at what to expect, Anderson has this to say about his work’s cultural influences: “We look a lot at different movements, within youth subcultures. You need to know what is happening in the world to be able to evoke a reaction in garment format.” With past collections providing some of the most creative and intelligent deigns to come from a young designer, London will be expecting big things – and he will be sure not to disappoint.

 

J.W. Anderson’s show will be on Wednesday, 9^th January, at the BFC Show Space at 10:00.

 

 

For more information, visit the London Collections: Men website.

 

Topman Design A/W '12 Is Here!

Topman Design A/W '12 has finally arrived. Taking on a dark, sartorial, edgy approach highlights of the collection include an array of long length coats in rich, textured fabrics with big lapels, belted at the waist. With this, check out the collection below and let us know what you think...

Like what you see? Shop it HERE.