This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/jun/14/john-lewis-menswear-fashion-london

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
John Lewis pins hopes on men's fashion and London as perfect fit John Lewis pins hopes on men's fashion and London as perfect fit
(4 months later)
Forget "never knowingly undersold" – this weekend John Lewis will be hoping to earn a rather more fabulous tagline.Forget "never knowingly undersold" – this weekend John Lewis will be hoping to earn a rather more fabulous tagline.
The department store is making its catwalk debut at London Collections: Men, a four-day showcase of men's fashion.The department store is making its catwalk debut at London Collections: Men, a four-day showcase of men's fashion.
On Saturday evening 16 male models led by Johnny Harrington, the bearded face of the department store, will provide the backdrop to a swish cocktail party as they walk on treadmills wearing next summer's looks from in-house label John Lewis & Co.On Saturday evening 16 male models led by Johnny Harrington, the bearded face of the department store, will provide the backdrop to a swish cocktail party as they walk on treadmills wearing next summer's looks from in-house label John Lewis & Co.
The fashion week debut is a bold move to boost the store's fashion reputation on the back of what it describes as "soaring" menswear sales. A spokesperson for John Lewis said the show "marks an important milestone in the department store's bid to becoming the high street's biggest menswear player".The fashion week debut is a bold move to boost the store's fashion reputation on the back of what it describes as "soaring" menswear sales. A spokesperson for John Lewis said the show "marks an important milestone in the department store's bid to becoming the high street's biggest menswear player".
The presence of the high-street heavyweight shows that the success of the menswear event, still in its infancy, has attracted the attention of the industry's biggest players who realise there is serious money to be made at the higher end of the market.The presence of the high-street heavyweight shows that the success of the menswear event, still in its infancy, has attracted the attention of the industry's biggest players who realise there is serious money to be made at the higher end of the market.
John Lewis is not the only high-street brand hoping to cut it alongside fashion's biggest players. Marks & Spencer is also making its debut at the shows. It will present a capsule Best of British collection which highlights British fabrics and manufacture. Tony O'Connor, head of design at M&S, said it was "a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate our involvement with the British Fashion Council" and noted it was keen to "share the optimism prevalent in British menswear today". Both high-street brands follow Topman, which has been an integral part of the London menswear scene for many seasons. It sponsored menswear catwalk shows when they were merely a daylong afterthought at London fashion week.John Lewis is not the only high-street brand hoping to cut it alongside fashion's biggest players. Marks & Spencer is also making its debut at the shows. It will present a capsule Best of British collection which highlights British fabrics and manufacture. Tony O'Connor, head of design at M&S, said it was "a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate our involvement with the British Fashion Council" and noted it was keen to "share the optimism prevalent in British menswear today". Both high-street brands follow Topman, which has been an integral part of the London menswear scene for many seasons. It sponsored menswear catwalk shows when they were merely a daylong afterthought at London fashion week.
Despite being only one year old, LC:M is booming. A total of 134 designers will participate in shows, presentations and special events over the next few days. The BFC, which organises the event, is keen to stress that all figures show an increase from last January's collections, and that press and buyer attendance has also swollen.Despite being only one year old, LC:M is booming. A total of 134 designers will participate in shows, presentations and special events over the next few days. The BFC, which organises the event, is keen to stress that all figures show an increase from last January's collections, and that press and buyer attendance has also swollen.
The rapid success of LC:M has Milan fashion week rattled. The event has lured international labels keen to share in London's glory. Milanese powerhouse Dolce & Gabbana is making an impact on the schedule on Saturday evening when it will present its summer tailoring collection in the brand's new store. However, the move is only a partial commitment as D&G will show its main collection in its home city later in the month.The rapid success of LC:M has Milan fashion week rattled. The event has lured international labels keen to share in London's glory. Milanese powerhouse Dolce & Gabbana is making an impact on the schedule on Saturday evening when it will present its summer tailoring collection in the brand's new store. However, the move is only a partial commitment as D&G will show its main collection in its home city later in the month.
Robert Johnston, associate editor at GQ magazine, believes the atmosphere in London menswear is far more upbeat than in Milan and Paris at the moment. He said: "The menswear shows feel so alive and positive in a way the other fashion capitals don't at the moment." But he disagrees that international labels are piggybacking the event. "Domenico Dolce is from a tailoring background and understands the great craftsmanship and great tailoring heritage of Savile Row. So it's a great fit," he said.Robert Johnston, associate editor at GQ magazine, believes the atmosphere in London menswear is far more upbeat than in Milan and Paris at the moment. He said: "The menswear shows feel so alive and positive in a way the other fashion capitals don't at the moment." But he disagrees that international labels are piggybacking the event. "Domenico Dolce is from a tailoring background and understands the great craftsmanship and great tailoring heritage of Savile Row. So it's a great fit," he said.
Burberry, the British brand which has historically shown its menswear collection in Milan, will stage a huge homecoming catwalk event on Tuesday. Alexander McQueen – showing on Monday afternoon – shoe label Jimmy Choo and international brand Rag & Bone are also part of London's line-up. Other hotly tipped brands such as Christopher Shannon, Christopher Kane and JW Anderson are also on the schedule.Burberry, the British brand which has historically shown its menswear collection in Milan, will stage a huge homecoming catwalk event on Tuesday. Alexander McQueen – showing on Monday afternoon – shoe label Jimmy Choo and international brand Rag & Bone are also part of London's line-up. Other hotly tipped brands such as Christopher Shannon, Christopher Kane and JW Anderson are also on the schedule.
Giorgio Armani has separately announced that during Milan fashion week it will host the collections of a series of young Italian designers at its headquarters in an effort to develop young talent. The veteran designer recently said "We need concrete actions to support Italian fashion, initiatives that give more strength and a feeling of novelty to Milan's fashion week."Giorgio Armani has separately announced that during Milan fashion week it will host the collections of a series of young Italian designers at its headquarters in an effort to develop young talent. The veteran designer recently said "We need concrete actions to support Italian fashion, initiatives that give more strength and a feeling of novelty to Milan's fashion week."
The move has prompted some commentators to suggest the Italians might be feeling overshadowed by the current buzz around British menswear.The move has prompted some commentators to suggest the Italians might be feeling overshadowed by the current buzz around British menswear.
Johnston suggested Milan is taking a "leaf from London's book" but dismissed the idea of a major rivalry. "Everyone likes a feud, " he said, " but in reality the individual designers I have spoken to are thrilled for London. But perhaps the Camera Moda [the body which organises Milan fashion week] will be watching London Collections with a keen interest."Johnston suggested Milan is taking a "leaf from London's book" but dismissed the idea of a major rivalry. "Everyone likes a feud, " he said, " but in reality the individual designers I have spoken to are thrilled for London. But perhaps the Camera Moda [the body which organises Milan fashion week] will be watching London Collections with a keen interest."
• Rag & Bone David Neville and Marcus Wainwright mix their British heritage with the downtown cool of New York, where the label is now based. While they have shown their womenswear in London for two seasons, this is the return of their menswear.Expect wearable sportswear and quality fabrics.• Rag & Bone David Neville and Marcus Wainwright mix their British heritage with the downtown cool of New York, where the label is now based. While they have shown their womenswear in London for two seasons, this is the return of their menswear.Expect wearable sportswear and quality fabrics.
• Alan Taylor Taking part in the MAN show, a new talent initiative set up by Lulu Kennedy and sponsored by Topman, the Irish 26-year-old creates sharp tailoring with tweed. The result is pieces you could wear straight off the catwalk.• Alan Taylor Taking part in the MAN show, a new talent initiative set up by Lulu Kennedy and sponsored by Topman, the Irish 26-year-old creates sharp tailoring with tweed. The result is pieces you could wear straight off the catwalk.
• Dolce & Gabbana Proof that LC: M has international clout, the Italian label will open the event on Saturday night with a presentation of their men's pre-collection at their new Bond Street store. It will also involve a glamorous party.• Dolce & Gabbana Proof that LC: M has international clout, the Italian label will open the event on Saturday night with a presentation of their men's pre-collection at their new Bond Street store. It will also involve a glamorous party.
• Jimmy Choo Launching men's shoes in 2011, Jimmy Choo has previously showcased collections at Milan men's fashion week. This time the presentation moves to London, where the brand is based. While the format is yet to be confirmed, designs will be classic with a bit of glitz. Elton John is a fan.• Jimmy Choo Launching men's shoes in 2011, Jimmy Choo has previously showcased collections at Milan men's fashion week. This time the presentation moves to London, where the brand is based. While the format is yet to be confirmed, designs will be classic with a bit of glitz. Elton John is a fan.
• Burberry The brand's return to the womenswear schedule in 2009 was seen as a coup for London – and the inclusion of its menswear as part of LC: M is no less welcome. The show from the quintessentially British brand on Tuesday afternoon is probably the most anticipated of the week.• Burberry The brand's return to the womenswear schedule in 2009 was seen as a coup for London – and the inclusion of its menswear as part of LC: M is no less welcome. The show from the quintessentially British brand on Tuesday afternoon is probably the most anticipated of the week.
Lauren Cochrane Lauren Cochrane
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.