THE FUTURE OF FASHION

Now that we are all out and about I’ve been keeping my eyes open for interesting new fashion trends. It’s exciting to see what ideas the young are coming up with to rock the status quo and to note any new looks sweeping the country. 

Reporting back from my fleeting sorties around town, it’s hard to tell which way if any, the menswear ebb is flowing although I have spotted various eddies of interest which may merge and cause a ripple of style direction.

My first observation is that of complete confusion; is it time to really dress up? Have ties and neckwear totally vanished? Can I still wear track pants and should I ditch my attache case for a large handbag? 

No one batted an eye at a young man I passed this morning sporting a tennis skirt, large handbag and beard. So, should the mood take you, non binary looks are definitely à la mode. I think the only key to this look is having the balls to pull it off, other than finding time to plundering your aunties wardrobe. However, if you are struggling to find the perfect pleated skirt to complement both your hairy chest and new Air Jordans then our in house seamstress would be more than happy to help.

Attending a film premiere a few weeks ago I sensed a frisson of fashion excitement at the far end of the room. I cast my eye around, it lingered on an almost prosaic fashion group chatting away; a sensational drag queen and her PVC clad gimp whose ruby sparkling lips were chatting away to an immaculately tailored diplomat and his friend in an elegant waisted coat. This gathering was not the source of the stir. My gaze continued till I glimpsed a light grey top hat towards the end of the bar. White stockinged ankles became visible through the crowd, then tight yellow breeches, a riffled floral shirt and navy cutaway coat. This throw back to a previous century was no Adam Ant, prince charming pastiche but a historically accurate Georgian chap sporting the latest look from 1832. Enjoying the attention and intensifying adoration with his fan, the young man was set upon by inquisitive fashionistas interested to learn about the original garment cuts.

It is of no surprise that fashions gaze is now casting its way back to the 18th century, the latest exhibition at the V&A ‘Fashioning Masculinities’ is giving young designers a hint to the hugely rich and varied past of menswear. The young boys of today with flowing waist length hair who are busy ‘fighting for the beauty of fluidity’ are suddenly realising that they are merely carrying on from where the Macaronis of the 1750’s left off. These fellows exceeded the ordinary bounds of fashion, strapping odd padding around the body to change their silhouettes, sported outrageous wigs and wore rich Georgian clothing. Observers of the time referred to the group of effete dressers as having no particular gender. It is interesting to learn that the sexual morals of the time had none of our Victorian hangovers and hence the need to label minority groups was not really so important.

So on the whole I’m feeling optimistic about the future of menswear, young designers are again fascinated by tailoring and fit rather than deconstructed looks and there is a growing interest in cloth of all colours and textures. Clothes will once again be valued akin to works of art rather than disposable coverings and individuality and experimental designs will come to the fore. Of course, Dashing has been at the vanguard for a while but at last the vagaries of fashion are catching up with us.

London Fashion Week is kicking off this weekend and it’s fabulous to see the melding together of identities both virtual and physical. During the last few years so many boundaries have been broken down. The shows now transcend real and digital worlds as well as showing menswear, womenswear and gender neutral collections. I can see a whole new playing field for creative fashion emerging with the only limits being that designers must now ensure that what they produce is made without excessive environmental damage and is loved and worn for many years.

Browsing the schedule, I’m excited by the work of Saul Nash the designer and dancer has produced a beautiful film showcasing his luxury active wear. Exploring how clothing works with movement is one of my main interests, I love all the tailoring solutions to tweed sportswear designed for swinging clubs to casting rods and seeing this evolve further is wonderful.