THE DARK WOLF

In an industry already saturated with designers new and old, nothing is more important than a distinctive aesthetic. Nobody, perhaps, understands this better than London design duo Ada + Nik, whose Autumn/Winter 2014 collection ‘The Dark Wolf’ premiered just two weeks ago at London Collections: Men. After both establishing themselves as prominent figures in the fashion industry (Ada has her own womenswear and couture collections, Nik has modelled for Jean Paul Gaultier as well as writing for a host of publications), the pair decided to combine their individual talents to create their own line of menswear. Combining Ada’s design background with Nik’s strong aesthetic has resulted in runaway success for the new duo, so I was understandably excited to be granted access to their Paris showroom today to delve deeper into the collection and its inspirations.

LONDON COLLECTIONS: MEN

It used to be the case that, when I heard the word 'menswear', my mind would jump straight to outdated clichés of a well-groomed thirty-something, sporting nothing but a James Dean haircut and a well-tailored suit. Luckily, menswear has changed recently and, although there will always be space for a well-tailored suit, young designers are using their imagination and skills to push the boundaries and redefine the wardrobe of the modern male. This experimentality and will to play with the fashion formula is never more evident than in London, the capital of eccentricity and individuality. More specifically, it was evident in the recent LCM shows which collectively unearthed a feast of sartorial delights for men worldwide who are becoming bored by tradition. In this post, I have picked my five personal favourites from the host of talent on show - some of them are on the list due to a cohesive aesthetic and stand-out pieces, whereas others are on the list for subverting tradition and creating enough controversy to fuel debate and keep the ball moving forward.