Pimp my Gentlemen

Alternative Fashion Week Report (19 – 23 April 2010)

Last year I was the official Photographer for Alternative Fashion Week which is held at Spitalfield’s Market in East London. It’s a great opportunity to see some young designers who cannot afford to show at LFW and also a chance to network. We’ve found some gems, check out the June/July issue of Disorder for my shoot of Aaron Ray Dowie’s Winston Churchill inspired collection who we discovered at 2009′s AFW.

A talented team from Havering College opened Wednesday with a slick and sophisticated collection with subtle tones where contemporary cuts were offset with edgy models. Some pieces were more costume than wearable but this is the heart of London’s East End! The womenswear side was empowering and statement making with wraps and twists in the garments both feminine and show stopping.

The menswear side of the collection was gentlemen’s tailoring with a pimp twist. Bold colours in the styling contrasted classic patterns and by taking some inspiration from Tom Ford’s last collection it could be described as an avant-garde extravaganza.

My favourite collection of the week was the Another 7th Day label which is under the creative direction of Kim Seoghee; an edgy collection with a strong Asian influence. I wasn’t sure at first what I thought of Mary Ratcliffe’s collection with its mish-mash of funky prints,dresses that played with cut and form, grandma cardigans and art deco suitcases, with the hair and make up fittingly wild. Yet as the show ended it became apparent that this was an effortlessly thrown together, contemporary vintage collection.

Other highlights included Adel Andic’s show. A definite ‘one to watch’, Andic is LFW worthy with skirts and jackets in a variety of textures and layering.

Photography by Adam Richardson and Benjamin Glean, words by Benjamin Glean.