London Collections: Men – Day Two

In which we found ourselves drinking vodka and Red Bull, back like we used to.

Day two and we’re already half way through London Collections: Men, can you believe it? Well no, because today is Wednesday and it’s the third and final day of mens fashion pouring out from the heart of The Hospital Club. But looking back at day two, this is what we saw and here is what we did.

At 10:30 yesterday morning-make that 10:35 as the DJ was forced to stop and start thanks to that oft heard phrase from the photographer’s pit of ‘uncross your legs’-Margaret Howell dressed up her boys in berets and spectacles, their bodies encased in a sea of navy and grey.

YMC also got the beret memo, worn alongside biker jackets in leather and tartan, pink suede creepers and jolly patterned socks. Watched on by Rhys and Joe from The Horrors, zips made their mark across backs of jackets and smothered a boiler suit too.

Rushing to Jonathan Saunders, presenting in a larger venue (Victoria House) following last season’s queues, we were greeted by a wall of cut up images, seated models, standing models and rails of turquoise, khaki, orange and pink. Noted details included dip dye, PVC and a unique camouflage print.

Christopher Shannon’s AW13 offering gave us girls for the first time! And a cobalt blue leather shirt. And puffa jacket sleeves on non-puffa jacket tops. And-great-greasy hair. And sleeves hanging out from the tops of jeans. Martine Rose meanwhile focused on bar towels; emblazoning backs of jackets, hanging from back pockets and completely covering jackets. Wide leg trousers in leather and wool were also heavy throughout.

Fancying a piece of the LC:M action, Mr Porter previewed an exclusive collection by Matthew Miller, Katie Eary, Richard Nicoll and Sibling; three pieces each, all tops. Models hung out in telephone boxes, black umbrellas covered the ceiling and a van outside dished up tea and crumpets; scrumptious.

And then there was Alex Mattsson. Helped along by Red Bull-who served up cups of vodka and Red Bull, harking back to many a hangover in uni halls-as mentioned last month when we spoke to the man himself, his presentation included not only the perfect leather jacket and ‘Godspeed’ transfer tattoos but a performance by Zebra Katz and Njena Redd Foxx. Highly sexual, the pair strutted and writhed their way through songs such as ‘Ima Read’ to a very excited crowd.

The more family friendly Oliver Spencer was our final stop of the day-and a stop too far for our phone battery-it saw a focus on OS eyewear, with two large pairs of glasses taking centre stage in the middle of the floor. Smart red trousers, an epic striped suit and Rick Edwards made for excellent viewing.

Trend of the day? Berets! Margaret Howell led and YMC followed.

Tunes of the day? Zebra Katz live was hard to beat, though worth noting was Talking Heads receiving their second airing of the season at Oliver Spencer.

Day Three is happening now over on Twitter: @clash_fashion.

-
Join the Clash mailing list for up to the minute music, fashion and film news.