London Men's Fashion Week was held from June 15th to 17th, and various brands presented their Spring/Summer 2015 men's collections.
Joseph Turvey, who described carp tattoos as "Yakuza body art" and used them as the motif for his collection, presented a selection of powerful pieces. The sportswear-style pieces, based on a combination of long tops and voluminous shorts, exuded a different kind of menace than the British street kids, thanks to the blurred carp prints and drawings on the models' bodies. Furthermore, the models' faces were adorned with calligraphy makeup reminiscent of Buddhist sutras.
Astrid Andersen's collection was inspired by Japanese sumo wrestling. The first look featured a kimono-style top with a large jersey number printed on it and a pink and black base with overlapping paisley patterns, paired with sports-inspired pants. The brand's signature see-through layers and tracksuits continued, featuring logo and paisley prints in a color palette of black, pink, and orange. Mixed in with the looks were apron-like items with thick belts, reminiscent of the kesho-mawashi worn by sumo wrestlers when they enter the ring. Some were even made from fur. For the finale, all the models wore kesho-mawashi, filling the runway. However, the collection wasn't just inspired by Japanese culture; it also incorporated a broader image of Asia as seen by Westerners, such as scarves fastened with sun visors to resemble Arab headgear. Furthermore, while borrowing from sportswear styles, the collection was ultimately luxurious streetwear, exuding a powerful aura, as if ready to take on a fight at any moment. Astrid Andersen 15 Spring/Summer Collection
Meanwhile, AGI & SAM showcased a monk-like, Japanesque look with a restrained color palette of white, camel, gray, and navy. Both their tailored coats and shirts featured loose, collarless silhouettes, with V-necks overlapping like kimonos. Their generously pleated wide-leg pants were reminiscent of hakama trousers. The collection, which incorporated influences from Japanese culture into its aim to create tailored clothing that would be comfortable for the brand, also included oversized workwear-inspired pieces. AGI & SAM 15SS Collection
Topman Design humorously incorporated Japanesque elements into their show, titled "Seventies Nineties." Printed T-shirts and pastel-colored knitwear were coordinated with floral-print kimono-style tops. The collection as a whole further refined the '70s revival trend popular in the '90s, featuring flared denim that was too loose to be called bell-bottoms, mod coats with colorful fur trim, and striped suits reminiscent of those worn by Jarvis Cocker, a musician who gained popularity primarily in the UK in the '90s. The boxy jackets created a relaxed atmosphere. Topman Design 15 Spring/Summer Collection
