I was invited to come down and preview some of the collections on show at Jacket Required, a trade show of contemporary menswear and selected womenswear across apparel, footwear, accessories and lifestyle. Here’s a visual recap of some pieces and brands that stood out for me.
CAMPER
Loved the contrasting colours, thick laces and rubbery soles on these onyx & chocolate coloured COURBs, and lemony lime BRUTUS mens shoe.
Camper was founded more than forty years ago in Mallorca, Spain, as a contemporary, casual shoe brand. A family-run business dedicated to creating original and unconventional footwear concepts, today Camper is one of the world’s leading companies in the footwear design industry, with over 400 stores and available in more than forty different countries.
BIRKENSTOCK
Immediately drawn to the petal pink and punchy fuchsia palettes of these TEMA Micro Fibre sliders and grey felt DAVOS Wool Felt clogs. Not just for yummy mummies in Mom jeans, well, if it is I’m happy they’re being rebranded, mum’s need love too!
Since 1774, BIRKENSTOCK have been thinking of ways that, as the inventor of the footbed, it can make the lives of customers better and richer – with a good shoe for all situations in life. In an overwhelmingly price-driven consumer world dominated by cheap products from low-wage economies, BIRKENSTOCK, with its premium-quality products, offers an alternative for all those who place value on quality.
BUFFALO
Did you and do you still respect 90’s fashion? Good because I do too… Buffalos anyone? SPICE Girl boots? Going to the reunion tour? Maybe? Same… Glitter, Black, Ah Zig Ah Zig Ah! 😉
The German company Buffalo has recognized the current influences from an early stage and, consequently, started focusing specifically on expanding their sub label Buffalo London. Within the context of a 90’s fashion comeback, Buffalo Classics, which aims to convince a fashion conscious target group of the cult label’s new brand image, is going to play an integral part. A team of international designers are creating new and diverse reinterpretation of the iconic platform sneaker. Monthly selected, new Classics models have been released in strictly limited edition since November 2017. The Classics were only available in selected stores worldwide such as Browns, Opening Ceremony, KADEWE or Luisa via Roma. Just in time for the Berlin Fashion Week, the black, white and beige Buffalo Classics will be available at a broader range of stores from the 1st of July.
ARCTIC ARMY
We all struggle, to be honest, and these are ones to fight for; however they offer a faux version for real vegans with a £100 price difference… You choose.
With a passion for fashion & travel, their philosophy was to produce a unique brand with a modern twist that remains faithful to the flight bomber jacket & military parka coat. Starting off in 2015, Arctic Army was born through Instagram and with an uncompromising craftsmanship, defining city luxury, withstanding climates from springtime in Paris, Ibizan summers, autumn in London & New York winters, was exactly what was set out & accomplished.
PALLADIUM
I think I always have and always will be a fan, very consistent design aesthetic, solid practical and durable. I need three pairs…
Palladium was founded in 1920 to make tires for the fledgling aviation industry. In 1947, using their canvas and rubber expertise, Palladium began making boots that were as hard wearing as their tires. The comfort and durability of their unique boot was so outstanding that the legendary French Foreign Legion adopted it for their use. Today, the authentic design, classic lines and time tested utility can once again be enjoyed by explorers worldwide.
I’m from Rotherhithe, I live by the riverside, I’m from the city of London where it rains every other day… second. I live for a solid raincoat, parka and windbreaker, it just makes sense to be honest, plus very solid colour blocking palettes? I’m in, and I’m walking in these boots, in my head I’m a Fisherman’s daughter, sometimes naughty, super nautical, never leaving home without a lick of nail lacquer and quality nylons.
SWEDISH MELANCHOLY AT ITS DRIEST Stutterheim creates beautiful yet functional rainwear in the highest quality. All coats are handmade using the finest craftsmanship and are characterized by simplicity, functionality and timeless design.
RÆBURN
Are we allowed to have favourites in life? We say no, but really mean yes, because, come on, let’s stop pretending. Okay? If this was all that was on show I’d be alright with that… Wow, because come on, remade, recycled, reused. This is the kind of postmodern aesthetic I enjoy, very eclectic, very detailed and design focused, with a strong environmentally friendly focus. Sustainability at its finest, because we know what we’ve seen previously in the name of sustainable fashion – dull colours, boring branding and pseudo enlightened yawn-able design. This is fun, sexy, practical, enjoyable, youthful, very wonderful stuff. Can I eat this? I wanna do a lot of things now, like destroy my entire wardrobe and RÆSTOCK ha! I’m inspired. I love this. Cult is not a bad word, just has negative connotations. The only Christopher we acknowledge is RÆBURN!
Where do I sign? *flicks lighter, flips MUJI pen*
RÆBURN is a British fashion label with a unique and innovative approach to creating menswear, womenswear, and accessories collections. A graduate of London’s prestigious Royal College of Art, Christopher Raeburn became known for his re-appropriation of military fabrics and in particular for iconic outerwear created from de-commissioned parachutes. The REMADE ethos still guides and influences every aspect of the RÆBURN design and development process; a RÆBURN product is defined by distinctive aesthetic, meticulous detail, considered functionality, and sustainable intelligence. Christopher’s pioneering work has brought sustainable design to a main-stream fashion audience and presents a new definition of luxury with integrity. Alongside this, a highly collaborative spirit informs luxurious, handcrafted and award-winning products with integrity and purpose. The REMADE Studio in the heart of east London, Christopher RÆBURN is stocked in the best stores globally and receives media coverage worldwide.
Find out more about Jacket Required here…
