After a lengthy wait, the British Fashion Council finally announced the schedule for menswear day a few weeks back and since then we have struggled to contain our excitement but have kept ourselves busy. On Wednesday 23rd September 2009, we will be treated to a showcase of twenty five designers, encompassing a diverse mix spanning emerging talent through to established names, whilst incorporating catwalk shows, presentations and installations. To mark the countdown to the big day we have caught up with as many of the designers as possible and will post our mini interviews throughout the next two weeks. First up, Carolyn Massey and Lou Dalton...
Along with James Long, Carolyn Massey will be opening the shows at Somerset House and what better way to start they day than with two of the most talented menswear designers around. Both designers are recipients of the BFC's first NEWGEN MEN talent support scheme sponsored by TOPMAN and it is richly deserved on both counts. Steve got a chance to see elements of the collection up close in July but we can't wait to see it all come together on the catwalk.
SS: What were your inspirations for the collection?
Carolyn Massey: A friend suggested that I watch The Heroes of Telemark, a film about heavy water sabotage in WW2 starring a rather tanned Kirk Douglas. I loved the imagery of the outerwear and skiing/mountaineering and all the accessories. At the same time I went camping for a long weekend in Dungeness. I'm dyspraxic, so was really effected by the spacial oddity that is Dungeness, with its moon like shingle with random abandoned fishing huts. There are 2 lighthouses, one of them a modern one which rings out an electronic beep every few seconds. It was a bit like being in a film.
SS: What are you most looking forward to showing on the 23rd September?
Carolyn Massey: Ive done a outerwear piece that has a lot going on- it comes with a matching bag, which is detachable to the coat. Its a bit bonkers! A few buyers have mentioned it looks like modern Barbour, which is a bit of a compliment.
SS: Have you got any anecdotes of making the collection that you can share?
Carolyn Massey: The normal pains and pleasures - we have expanded the collection into accessories and seeing those come out so well has been really exciting.
SS: What item of clothing (if any) do you wish that more men wore?
Carolyn Massey: Good shoes. I'm sorry chaps, but you can't get away with it. As a wise man once said to me "Only a rich man can afford to buy cheap shoes"
SS: Aside from your own, which collections are you looking forward to seeing?
Carolyn Massey: The line up is looking so good for the day- I'm actually quite pleased I'm on at 10am so I can get to see everything. One of my oldest friends works with Jsen at Wintle- so it will be good to see this. Otherwise, I'll get to see a peek of James Long's collection backstage, B Store and Tim, and then Ebru and Thom with New Power Studio. I also love what Katy Eary is doing - It will be great to see this on the catwalk.
SS: What were your inspirations for the collection?
Carolyn Massey: A friend suggested that I watch The Heroes of Telemark, a film about heavy water sabotage in WW2 starring a rather tanned Kirk Douglas. I loved the imagery of the outerwear and skiing/mountaineering and all the accessories. At the same time I went camping for a long weekend in Dungeness. I'm dyspraxic, so was really effected by the spacial oddity that is Dungeness, with its moon like shingle with random abandoned fishing huts. There are 2 lighthouses, one of them a modern one which rings out an electronic beep every few seconds. It was a bit like being in a film.
SS: What are you most looking forward to showing on the 23rd September?
Carolyn Massey: Ive done a outerwear piece that has a lot going on- it comes with a matching bag, which is detachable to the coat. Its a bit bonkers! A few buyers have mentioned it looks like modern Barbour, which is a bit of a compliment.
SS: Have you got any anecdotes of making the collection that you can share?
Carolyn Massey: The normal pains and pleasures - we have expanded the collection into accessories and seeing those come out so well has been really exciting.
SS: What item of clothing (if any) do you wish that more men wore?
Carolyn Massey: Good shoes. I'm sorry chaps, but you can't get away with it. As a wise man once said to me "Only a rich man can afford to buy cheap shoes"
SS: Aside from your own, which collections are you looking forward to seeing?
Carolyn Massey: The line up is looking so good for the day- I'm actually quite pleased I'm on at 10am so I can get to see everything. One of my oldest friends works with Jsen at Wintle- so it will be good to see this. Otherwise, I'll get to see a peek of James Long's collection backstage, B Store and Tim, and then Ebru and Thom with New Power Studio. I also love what Katy Eary is doing - It will be great to see this on the catwalk.
Lou Dalton was launched in 2005 and has since steadily developed a reputation and gained recognition for it's rebellious 'English' sportswear. Lou designs for the same man every season but each collection sees him in a different scenario and we can't wait to see her salon style show in The Portlico Rooms.
SS: What were your inspirations for the collection?
Lou Dalton: Patrick O'Brian novel's, Napolionic Refrences....
SS: What are you most looking forward to showing on the 23rd September?
Lou Dalton: The beautiful prints that I have been working on with Ricardo Fumanel.
SS: Have you got any anecdotes of making the collection that you can share?
Lou Dalton: Blood, sweat & tears.....
SS: What item of clothing (if any) do you wish that more men wore?
Lou Dalton: A Belt, I cannot stand seeing a gent with his trousers around his ankles.......
SS: Aside from your own, which collections are you looking forward to seeing?
Lou Dalton: Katy Eary and James Long.
Lou Dalton: Patrick O'Brian novel's, Napolionic Refrences....
SS: What are you most looking forward to showing on the 23rd September?
Lou Dalton: The beautiful prints that I have been working on with Ricardo Fumanel.
SS: Have you got any anecdotes of making the collection that you can share?
Lou Dalton: Blood, sweat & tears.....
SS: What item of clothing (if any) do you wish that more men wore?
Lou Dalton: A Belt, I cannot stand seeing a gent with his trousers around his ankles.......
SS: Aside from your own, which collections are you looking forward to seeing?
Lou Dalton: Katy Eary and James Long.
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