From June 15th-17th, menswear will receive its biggest platform yet in the UK fashion design industry with the 'London Collections: Men' event. Following on from one dedicated day per London Fashion Week in recent years, menswear will become a three-day event. In its inaugural year, the Prince of Wales will formally open the event on June 14th.
This is the first time menswear will not be a squashed, fighting to fit into one short day, tacked along to the womenswear collections. Heritage, contemporary and upcoming designers will show, shaping up to be one of the key fashion events of 2012.
Showcasing Spring Summer 13 collections will be upcoming talents like Jonathan Saunders, James Long, E.Tautz, Lou Dalton, Thom Browne and Irish designer JW Anderson. Richard Nicoll will also showcase a menswear collection for the first time during the event.
Models form the finale line-up during Irish designer JW Anderson's 2010 show
Heritage brands like Savile Row, Hackett, Dunhill and Pringle of Scotland will present their new collections alongside contemporary designers like Margaret Howell, Oliver Spencer, Nicole Fahri and Topman Design.
A look from Oliver Spencer's AW 12 collection
Tommy Hilfiger will showcase his new collection is presentation-style, as will Christopher Kane, previewing his SS 13 looks. Irish designer Paul Costelloe, who has been part of the LFW collections in both mens and womens for 21 years, will show at neither this coming season.
Revered designer Paul Smith will hold a special presentation and Q&A session as part of the event, with Martine Rose and Matthew Miller presenting salon-style presentations of their collections.
Each evening there will be events hosted by Tom Ford, Louis Vuitton, Esquire and Mr. Porter. GQ will hold a special dinner with Calvin Klein and Burberry will host an event with creative director Christopher Bailey.
A look from James Long's recent collection, Long will show his new season in June
The main location will be The Hospital Club, Covent Garden with other locations around central London set to host the best in British menswear. Tinie Tempah has been unveiled as an ambassador for the event, which is chaired by GQ editor Dylan Jones and British Fashion Council chairman Harold Tillman.
For more information log onto Londoncollections.co.uk
