After months of preparations and excitement, fashion luminaries from around the globe flocked to the capital for the showcase that was London Collections: Men - a host of occasions ranging from fashion shows, presentations, dinners and parties. This inaugural event is sure to be remembered by most, especially with the visual feast that was served from the best in British menswear. Here are some, some being the operative word, of the Fashion Week(end) highlights.

 

Day 1:

 

Lou Dalton
The opening show of LC:M and most certainly one of the most memorable. Inspired by late '70s American cinema and the narrative of the underdog. The collection featured light summer trenches, over-sized baseball shirts, leather paneled shirts and tailored blazers.

 

Martine Rose
Inspired by the sculpture Rape of Proserpina by Benini, the key materials in this collection were denim and neoprene. Blended together to make a collection that epitomized the brand's street-wear essence.

Topman Design
If Topman Design is anything to go by, summer 2013 is set to see the return of the skater/surfer. The collection featured bright illustrative colours with black prints, neon suits, oversized backpacks, skateboards, and neoprene wetsuit shorts. So rich in nostalgia, it would have came as no surprise if Zack Morris himself walked the show.

 

DAY 2:

 

MAN
The must see show has got to be MAN. It exemplifies some of the sheer raw talent that British menswear has to offer. This season saw Agi & Sam present vibrant micro-print suits and floral fusion print attire, all modeled by mustached men. Astrid Anderson produced a luxe sportswear infusion, and Shaun Samson's key staples were cat face print shirts and stripes throughout.

 

Rake
From today onwards this show must be referred to as the everyman collection in that there was something for every gent no matter what taste or caste. From the colourful loafers and loose linen shirts to the tailored blazers.

 

Jonathan Saunders
If good things come to those who wait then Jonathan Saunders has that mantra down to a T. The presentation was the home of bright micro print and stripes, with the odd corrugated summer jumper thrown in for good measure. It was a stand out collection.

 

 

 

DAY 3:

 

Omar Kashoura:

Well dressed bearded beatniks are the key words to describe Kashoura's collection. Light summer luxe in the form of graphic shirts, unstructured blazers and embossed knits.

 

 

Margaret Howell:
Leave it to Margaret Howell to make an effortlessly cool yet traditional collection that features military inspired shirts, double denim, lightweight jackets and well crafted backpacks.

 

Nicole Farhi:
The crescendo, of what will be the first of many LC:M's, was Nicole Farhi who delivered a youthful yet dapper collection that echoed summers gone by. With some prominent pieces such as jersey crew necks, short sleeved romper jumpsuits and pyjama shirts

 

Malcolm Mafara

 

 

LC:M officially launches tomorrow, however we still have two more designers up our sleeve. With only two days left until his Salon show, Fashion Forward winner Matthew Miller lets us know what's to come.

 

How do you feel about London having its own menswear Fashion Week(end)?
It's great that the London schedule is syncing up with the traditional menswear calendar. It allows for more press and buyers to attend and really highlights the presence of the British menswear scene. The men's day has been really growing in strength every season and this dedicated event will increase awareness.

 

What was your inspiration for SS13 ?
I started by investigating building sites, in particular health and safety collateral; looking at everyday materials and thinking philosophically what is real luxury? I was also intrigued by old CCTV imagery of brutalist architecture around London.

 

What is the best thing about what you do ?
Experiment and discovery. When designing I always start with a sentence, something to sum up a mood or theme. I then spend the initial phase researching this and relating words in a library and start to create imagery and sketches around this. It then becomes an organic process - I feel lucky to have this time and creativity allowance.

 

The weirdest thing to happen to you so far ?
When people write to you, and say how they love what you do. I've even had people e-mailing asking for an autograph, that's pretty weird.

 

If you could dress anyone, who would it be ?
I've just started to work with DJ/Music Producer TEED and love his energy and distinctive style.

 

What will you do to relax once you've shown ?
This season I'll be going to support Baartmans and Siegel, as they'll be showing on the Sunday morning of L:CM.

 

What have you got planned for the coming year ?
Apart from my collections, following on from my collaboration with contemporary British footwear brand Oliver Sweeney. The collection will be available from August and we're following up with a new collection for SS13, showing during L:CM. I'm looking forward to seeing the product in their stores.

 

Malcolm Mafara

Another day, another designer... Christopher Raeburn could be called a pioneer of ethically aware fashion, creating his pieces using reclaimed military fabrics. The winner of 2011's Emerging Talent Award in Menswear, he gives us the low down on what's to come.

 

Give us 3 words to sum up your label?
Authentic, Quality and Fun

 

What was your inspiration for the collection ?
As always there are elements of our constant exploration of military functionality but we're also working around the single word "Deploy". I liked the energy of the word and the inherent reaction that it can spark but also the obvious link to our lightweight parachute concept. Spring/Summer is always a mix of fun and authenticity and this season we explore these ideas in many levels for the collection

 

What do you think is the best thing about London having its own Menswear Fashion Week?
It's a fantastic opportunity to re-shift the focus of Menswear onto London; it's great that press, buyers and consumers will see what London has to offer before the shows in Milan and Paris. On a business level it also means that we have a better chance to take orders and deliver early.

 

What's the greatest thing to happen to you since you started designing?
The British Fashion Award was a real honour. I really, really wasn't expecting it - everybody thinks that you're tipped off beforehand but you're not. What made it so rewarding is that the voting is done by the a wide range of ambassadors in the fashion industry so it's a real endorsement and quite an honour.

 

Who are your heroes?
I have a fondness for early mountaineers - what they achieved (with the kit at the time), in uncharted territory is something that I have a lot of respect for.

 

What advice would you give to those pursuing a career in design ?
Do one thing properly to begin with - it's important to walk before you run.

 

What have you got planned for the coming year ?
I'm proud of the ongoing work I'm doing with the Swiss Brand Victorinox. They are famous for the Swiss Army Knife but have a great fashion line also. I'm also excited that this Autumn will see the release of Moncler|R