INTERVIEW - CLAIRE LATHAM

The expansion of menswear has been a painfully slow process, especially in comparison to the rapidly-accelerating world of womenswear which welcomes conceptual designers and fresh ideas with open arms. Social attitudes and commercial restrictions are still real obstacles for young menswear designers, but the recent Graduate Fashion Week re-iterated the fact that there is still untapped potential when it comes to exploring new avenues. One of the week’s highlights came courtesy of Claire Latham, a Birmingham-based Wigan-born designer with an interesting narrative on the concept of androgyny and our definition of masculinity. Her candy-hued graduate collection was an amalgamation of lace & latex which blurred the lines of gender and challenged masculine stereotypes. In this interview, Latham talks about her first collection and the inspirations behind it, as well as social attitudes towards menswear and the challenges currently being by faced by young designers.

GRADUATE FASHION WEEK

Thanks to extortionate tuition fees and the increasingly uncertain job prospects that come with a degree, more and more youngsters are choosing to eschew the traditional route of university. Instead, they're throwing themselves into unpaid internships and mentorship schemes to work their way up the fashion ladder; a perfectly legitimate way to gain industry experience. This year, Graduate Fashion Week has arrived at the perfect time - it serves as a reminder of Britain's youngest prospects doing things the traditional way and finally showcasing the fruits of their three-year labour. In an industry built on prestige, GFW was a welcome reminder that the one thing the fashion industry really needs right now is youth. Yesterday was a personal highlight of mine as Birmingham City University graduates showcased their collections, and it was a moment that, despite the months of Instagram previews, nobody could have predicted. The menswear shows in particular were an example of forward-thinking; waterproof footwear, white lace trousers and knee-length metallic blazers were amongst the show's highlights, displaying impressive versatility in eager young minds. The pictures below are just a preview... YouTube links will be coming shortly, as will a selection of interviews with the thirsty young designers preparing to make their mark on today's fashion landscape.

Claire Latham, Birmingham City University

Lauren Lake, Kingston University

Charlotte Bruton, Birmingham City University

Shauni Douglas, Edinburgh College of Art