London Collections

LONDON COLLECTIONS: MEN is a brand new menswear showcase, set to launch in June 2012.

Running from 15th – 17th June, London will kick start the Menswear calendar with a showcase of British brands and businesses embedded in a cultural programme. London Collections: Men is a development of the Men’s day at London Fashion Week which has grown in stature and content despite sitting outside of the traditional menswear calendar. This new showcase will emphasise both the creative and commercial importance of Britain’s brands and emerging talent as well as the rich cultural landscape that contributes to the inspiration and success of this sector.

HRH The Prince of Wales will host a reception to celebrate the launch of London Collections: Men on 14th June 2012 at St James’s Palace.

The Hospital Club will become the central hub for London Collections: Men. Located in the heart of Covent Garden, the venue will provide a space for presentations, events, screenings and lounges across the three day showcase. UK and International media and buyers will be given access to the on-site facilities including lounges and meeting spaces.

"This is a fabulous initiative, and one that will undoubtedly draw even more attention towards London this year. Whether you're involved in sport, fashion, media, retail, entertainment or tech, or indeed any industry, London is the place to be in 2012." - Dylan Jones, Editor GQ & Chair of the Fashion 2012 Menswear Committee

Over 55 designers have been confirmed to participate in London Collections: Men include iconic British designers Margaret Howell and Paul Smith, heritage brands such as Aquascutum and Savile Row tailors including Richard James and E. Tautz. Calvin Klein, Paul Smith and Tom Ford will all host events during this period. London’s emerging designers will be showcasing including MAN and NEWGEN MEN designers, both of which are sponsored by TOPMAN. The TOPMAN Design show, Fashion East and Fashion Forward designers will also showcase.

Dylan Jones, chair of the Fashion 2012 Menswear Committee will be at helm of these plans, drawing together a committee of influential figures within the Menswear industry initially including Alex Bilmes, ESQUIRE; Christopher Bailey; David Furnish; David Walker-Smith, Selfridges; David Walliams; Elizabeth Saltzman; Gordon Richardson, TOPMAN; Jo Levin, GQ; Jeremy Langmead, MR PORTER; Marigay McKee, Harrods; Simon Fuller; Tim Blanks, Style.com; Tinie Tempah; Tom Ford and The Mayor’s Office. The Committee will ensure that London Collections: Men becomes a unique opportunity to see and buy British menswear whilst experiencing the UK’s dynamic creative industries through a cross cultural curated programme.

“The menswear industry has been growing from strength to strength in past years and this is true testament to this, London Collections: Men will not only be a showcase for brands and designers but will form a cross cultural programme creating a festival for Menswear in what will be a truly exciting year for the UK. I would like to thank Dylan Jones as Chair of the newly formed Fashion 2012 Menswear committee and all of the members, designers and brands involved in making this work.” - Harold Tillman CBE

The British Fashion Council would like to thank MR PORTER for partnering and supporting the London Collections: Men and the BFC would also like to give thanks to the team from TOPMAN for all of their continued and ongoing support for the NEWGEN MEN initiative and British Menswear.

London Collections: Men will form part of the Fashion 2012 Calendar, a central platform under which the industry is able to showcase and celebrate British fashion. It will provide a core focus for the industry and a schedule for the major fashion events and activities throughout London’s Olympic year. For further on information on Fashion 2012, please visit www.fashion2012.co.uk.

For press enquiries please contact:
Gemma Ebelis, British Fashion Council, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7759 1989
gemma.ebelis@britishfashioncouncil.com

For Menswear brands wishing to be involved in plans for Fashion 2012 please contact:
Katie Bain, British Fashion Council, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7759 1978
katie.bain@britishfashioncouncil.com