Topman Design Autumn/Winter 2014
Topman Design opened its highly anticipated AW14 show on the first day of London Collections: MEN with a splash of theatre. The offering was in stark contrast to last season’s theme of ‘techno cowboy’. The AW14 collection showcased a variety of elements the brand is known to excel in, including structured outerwear, sharp tailoring and statement knits. Clad in the high street name’s creations, models walked down the runway through puddles, while droplets of water fell onto hair and clothing from installed sprinkler piping above. Smoked PVC fabrications were the stand-out feature of the collection. Outerwear in the form of ponchos, pea coats and duffles all employed the material in inserts, panelling or coatings. The PVC theme also extended to leg wear, with ultra-skinny, glossy trousers casting a lean shadow on the runway, while bonded and taped seams lent a hint of futurism to the pieces. The hard-working fisherman was the key source of inspiration, with shipyard crochet jumpers, duffle coats, funnel-neck knits, fisherman boots and rain macs paying homage to sea-faring sartorialism. The colour palette also reflected maritime attire, with dark shades of black and navy contrasted with bright rusty oranges, signifying the decay of iron-hulled ships. In an attempt to break away from the skinny-leg silhouette, pleated wide-leg trousers were central to the offering and were paired with suiting and graphic-print t-shirts. The high-shine plastic treatments went hand-in-hand with the dramatic downpour at the close of the show, soaking the models in a fitting tribute to the inclement British weather. True to form, the Topman design team aimed to capture trends as well as set them. Attendees left appreciating the brand as a design-led authority standing head and shoulders above the rest of the British high street.
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Topman Design AW14 Runway Video
Topman Design AW14 Collection At LC:M
