CULTIVnation

Men's Fashion, Style & Cultural Riot from New York City to London Town.

Ian Michael Turner; London Fashion Editor at Chasseur Magazine www.chasseurmagazine.com
Twiiter: @IanisNYLO
Instagram: @ianmichaelluke
CULT Fashion: LFW - Something for the Boys;
“London Fashion Week, a five day womenswear extravaganza that has now reached monumental proportions and one which now has little or nothing to offer most men, or so one would assume given that this great city has its own stand-alone menswear fashion week.  The truth is however; that amidst all the gowns and stilettos, there is still a smattering of menswear to be seen and noted by any eagle eyed ‘fashionisto’….. “
Read my full review on Beige Magazine;
http://www.beigeuk.com/2013/03/lfw-something-for-the-boys/?fb_action_ids=4309601699707&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=246965925417366

CULT Fashion: LFW - Something for the Boys;


London Fashion Week, a five day womenswear extravaganza that has now reached monumental proportions and one which now has little or nothing to offer most men, or so one would assume given that this great city has its own stand-alone menswear fashion week.  The truth is however; that amidst all the gowns and stilettos, there is still a smattering of menswear to be seen and noted by any eagle eyed ‘fashionisto’….. “

Read my full review on Beige Magazine;

http://www.beigeuk.com/2013/03/lfw-something-for-the-boys/?fb_action_ids=4309601699707&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=246965925417366

CULT Fashion: What I Wore, London Fashion Week.
I rarely do these posts but this outfit is one of my favorite combos;
Nylon bomber jacket: Sandro
Black ‘dementor’ hooded jersey: Topman AAA
White draped double front top: Unconditional
Jeans: Topman
Boots: All Saints
Leather backpack: Topman
Leather ‘Restraint Cuffs’ Dr Robert by Lee Miller

CULT Fashion: What I Wore, London Fashion Week.


I rarely do these posts but this outfit is one of my favorite combos;

Nylon bomber jacket: Sandro

Black ‘dementor’ hooded jersey: Topman AAA

White draped double front top: Unconditional

Jeans: Topman

Boots: All Saints

Leather backpack: Topman

Leather ‘Restraint Cuffs’ Dr Robert by Lee Miller

CULT Fashion: London Fashion Week AW13: my thoughts; 
The pomp and circumstance that is London Fashion Week had all the more pull this season drawing record crowds of attendees (including large Russian, Italian and American contingents) thanks in part to the big guns such as Burberry, and newly minted LFW designers Tom Ford and L’Wren Scott. London fashion is going from strength to strength, getting better with each passing season, a Fashion Week that was once an acceptable skip on the seasonal schedule is now an absolute must, not only for the resurgent British old guard, but also for the sheer force of creativity that this City nurtures and openly encourages; it is London where you will find the most diverse fashion scene on the international circuit, and the most talented and creative new designers. Top tips as ones to watch from AW13, Jena Theo, Felder Felder and Zeynep Tosun.

CULT Fashion: London Fashion Week AW13: my thoughts; 

The pomp and circumstance that is London Fashion Week had all the more pull this season drawing record crowds of attendees (including large Russian, Italian and American contingents) thanks in part to the big guns such as Burberry, and newly minted LFW designers Tom Ford and L’Wren Scott. London fashion is going from strength to strength, getting better with each passing season, a Fashion Week that was once an acceptable skip on the seasonal schedule is now an absolute must, not only for the resurgent British old guard, but also for the sheer force of creativity that this City nurtures and openly encourages; it is London where you will find the most diverse fashion scene on the international circuit, and the most talented and creative new designers. Top tips as ones to watch from AW13, Jena Theo, Felder Felder and Zeynep Tosun.

CULT Fashion: Gunsmoke & Lavender AW13 London Fashion Week

CULT Fashion: Gunsmoke & Lavender AW13 London Fashion Week

CULT Fashion: London Fashion Week Steet Style SS13
Deconstructed
Source: Hype Life

CULT Fashion: London Fashion Week Steet Style SS13

Deconstructed

Source: Hype Life

CULT Fashion: Backstage at Christian Blanken SS13 LFW, short film.

Directed by myself Ian Turner, filmed by Dan Ellyot, edited by Fi Ellyot.

CULT Trend: SS13 Metallics
On the runway at Unconditional London Fashion Week SS13. Model: Leebo Freeman.

CULT Trend: SS13 Metallics

On the runway at Unconditional London Fashion Week SS13. Model: Leebo Freeman.

CULT Fashion: This is London
LFW Street Style SS13
Image: Fab Sugar

CULT Fashion: This is London

LFW Street Style SS13

Image: Fab Sugar

CULT Fashion: Unconditional SS13 LFW

My top selection of the menswear looks from the brilliant Unconditional SS13 Show at LFW.

Images: Sheer

As always, Philip Stephens’ Unconditional, which must rank as one of London’s most underrated labels, lived above and beyond the high expectations that one comes ready to expect. A front row packed with London’s nightlife elite: Daniel Lismore, Jodie Harsh (who curated the catwalk music), Princess Julia and Nik Thakkar amongst others, a sure reflection of the underground cult following that Unconditional has garnered.

Presenting both men’s and women’s ready-to-wear for SS13 together in a show that included label favourites Leebo Freeman and Luke Worral, Unconditional returned to London Fashion Week staying true to its particular aesthetic of avant-garde, fashion-forward androgyny.  White and metallic layers and heavy use of transparent sheers segued into slim-fit bright colours for tailoring which contrasted against the oversize knits and loose shorts. Neon splashes added into the layered looks aplenty bought suitably spring/summer colour pops. 

The designer played with traditional gender conformity roles by throwing into the mix men’s tailoring with half skirts and cut away jackets with metallic gold shoulder pads, and lightened the severe cuts with playful elements of orange denim and royal electric blue.

Look after look, this was a triumph of a show by a designer who is not afraid to take risks. Stephens is a man who adheres to his own aesthetic of restrained yet severe androgyny with a utopian futuristic edge, regardless of what “trend” dictates. Much of the clothing from Unconditional is gender fluent, yet without looking cliché. We’ve seen the future London and we like it. Rise up and embrace it.

 Ian Michael Turner

from my article;

(http://www.theupcoming.co.uk/2012/09/19/unconditional-ss-2013-london-fashion-week/)

CULT Style: Boys of London Fashion Week
River, James, Ian. At the Fred Butler afterparty, Salon Nightclub London.

CULT Style: Boys of London Fashion Week

River, James, Ian. At the Fred Butler afterparty, Salon Nightclub London.

CULT Fashion: London Fashion Week Street Style
Comme Des Garcons jacket

CULT Fashion: London Fashion Week Street Style

Comme Des Garcons jacket

London Fashion Week spotlight: Ones to watch.

Summer is drawing its last gasp here in London, but the fashionable folk have only one thing on their minds: the bi-annual extravaganza that is London Fashion Week. In just under a week LFW kicks off and with all eyes on London this summer and on its fashion industry in particular, as it goes from strength to strength, her are a few of the “ones to watch” this season.

Louise Gray 

Possibly Scotland’s answer to New York’s fabulous Betsey Johnson, this young Central St Martin’s alumnus has just hit the big time with a capsule collection for Topshop.  Known for her poptastic collections that are a riot of colour, glitz and sparkle, Gray has a fondness for sequins, smiley faces and all things punky and eccentric.

Her LFW signatures are colour, textures, hand silk screening and the use of specially developed fabrics in woven, embroidered and printed techniques. Gray’s off-beat and quirky miss-match style shouldn’t work, but somehow does, perhaps through her strict belief in a piece of fashion advice her mother once gave her: “Everything matches if you like it.”

Louise Gray shows her SS13 collection at LFW on 17th September. For those not lucky enough to be invited, pop down to your local Topshop to get in on a piece of the action (there is even a make-up line too).

Simone Rocha

Daughter of famed London fashion stalwart John Rocha, this young lady must really be feeling the pressure to live up to expectations this season; NEWGEN designer Simone Rocha has just been named by the British Fashion Council as one of this year’s nominees for the prestigious Emerging Talent Award, Ready-to-Wear (“An innovative and directional designer who is emerging as an influential force in British fashion in the ready-to-wear category.”). Like Gray, Rocha is a CSM graduate who has also produced a capsule collection for Topshop.

Rocha is Gray’s antithesis, however, the two are polar opposites in terms of style. Simone Rocha designs for “women who like to wear beautiful things” and her collections have a distinctly feminine quality. Airy and romantic, Rocha’s clothes are for the modern girl’s girls who are not quite ladies. Signatures include lace, knitwear, and crochet and brogues, with an artisanal feel that also possesses a distinctly modern and flirty edge through the linear cuts and Rocha’s penchant for metallics.

Visit Louise Gray here

Shop Louise Gray for Topshop here

Visit Simone Rocha here

Ian Michael Turner

Summer is drawing its last gasp here in London, but the fashionable folk have only one thing on their minds: the bi-annual extravaganza that is London Fashion Week. In just under a week LFW kicks off and with all eyes on London this summer and on its fashion industry in particular, as it goes from strength to strength, here at The Upcoming we have selected a few of the “ones to watch” this season.

Louise Gray 

Possibly Scotland’s answer to New York’s fabulous Betsey Johnson, this young Central St Martin’s alumnus has just hit the big time with a capsule collection for Topshop.  Known for her poptastic collections that are a riot of colour, glitz and sparkle, Gray has a fondness for sequins, smiley faces and all things punky and eccentric.

Her LFW signatures are colour, textures, hand silk screening and the use of specially developed fabrics in woven, embroidered and printed techniques. Gray’s off-beat and quirky miss-match style shouldn’t work, but somehow does, perhaps through her strict belief in a piece of fashion advice her mother once gave her: “Everything matches if you like it.”

Louise Gray shows her SS13 collection at LFW on 17th September. For those not lucky enough to be invited, pop down to your local Topshop to get in on a piece of the action (there is even a make-up line too).

Simone Rocha

Daughter of famed London fashion stalwart John Rocha, this young lady must really be feeling the pressure to live up to expectations this season; NEWGEN designer Simone Rocha has just been named by the British Fashion Council as one of this year’s nominees for the prestigious Emerging Talent Award, Ready-to-Wear (“An innovative and directional designer who is emerging as an influential force in British fashion in the ready-to-wear category.”). Like Gray, Rocha is a CSM graduate who has also produced a capsule collection for Topshop.

Rocha is Gray’s antithesis, however, the two are polar opposites in terms of style. Simone Rocha designs for “women who like to wear beautiful things” and her collections have a distinctly feminine quality. Airy and romantic, Rocha’s clothes are for the modern girl’s girls who are not quite ladies. Signatures include lace, knitwear, and crochet and brogues, with an artisanal feel that also possesses a distinctly modern and flirty edge through the linear cuts and Rocha’s penchant for metallics.

Visit Louise Gray here

Shop Louise Gray for Topshop here

Visit Simone Rocha here

Ian Michael Turner

Article by me originally published on www.theupcoming.co.uk

CULT Fashion: McQ Comes Home

Sarah Burton brought McQ back to where it belongs - the London catwalks. The AW12 Collection shown at London Fashion Week comprised both menswear (shown here) and womenswear and can be surmised in two words: vintage military. Think ‘War Horse’ or the BBC’s ‘Birdsong’ then throw in some 50’s swing and you get the idea. Restricted to a palette of olives, army greens and black for the men, it was one of McQ’s strongest and most mature collections to date. Particular favorite, the oversized greatcoat.

Designer Diary: Christian Blanken 

Christian Blanken designs clothes that are for the woman who wants effortless chic with an edge. A woman whom he describes as;

“Charismatic with an artistic side. She is sensory; she enjoys and understands good fabric, tailoring and attention to detail. Her lifestyle requires easy, modern and interesting pieces.” 

Blanken is an alumni of that breeding ground of great British fashion designers that is Central St. Martins, and has designed prior to launching his own line for some of the biggest names in fashion including Diane Von Furstenberg and Michael Kors.

His SS12 Collection, presented at London Fashion Week, was a triumph. Minimalistic in style, offered in a fresh neutral palette that was offset by sharp blacks and dazzling metalics. The tops were drapey, the bottoms tailored all done with Blanken’s trademark sophistication. Jackets and trenches were razor sharp, seamlessly mixing with the uber feminine separates and dresses to give the perfect amount of attitude.

It is easy to see the influence of U.S sportswear in Blanken’s designs with a nod to Donna Karan at her prime. For the woman who craves that American chic that New Yorkers do so well, yet wishes for a bit of that London edge also, Christian Blanken is the go to man.

www.christianblanken.co.uk

Christian Blanken’s ready-to-wear is available at Harvey Nichols.

www.harveynichols.com