London Collections: Men – MR PORTER

Having launched in February 2011, MR PORTER is already the “premier global online retail destination for men’s style”, due largely to the already established and successful NET-A-PORTER online shop.

To celebrate the addition of four exciting designers to their catalogue, the Alison Jacques Gallery hosted an intimate installation to premiere four new collections for the site – complete with throngs of photographers and bloggers alike, who were able to walk amongst the designers and get a closer look at each garment. With the iconic red telephone boxes, each housing a male model, and a ceiling full of black umbrellas, an iconic London scene was set to showcase the designers’ latest work.

The pieces shown by Matthew Miller, Katie Eary, Richard Nicoll and Sibling worked well alongside one another whilst still showing a clear distinction between each designer. Brightly coloured accents seemed common between the different collections, as well as an interesting mix of clean and fresh tailoring with contemporary prints and striking colour blocking in many of the pieces.

Items that particularly stood out were the work of Stoke-on-Trent born designer Matthew Miller whose simplistic aesthetic was eye-catching among the colourful palette of the rest of the show. His three garments each included a rectangular foil breastplate, to which the wearer must “destroy”. In an interview for MR PORTER, Miller explained “this destruction subsequently creates a pocket and a leather key ring, and a tear across the front of the piece, unique to that garment and its user. I think design should be a process that is inclusive, and not dictated.”

Holly Curley
Photos: Holly Curley

The full selection can be seen here on the website.