Billy Reid Mens AW12 Collection

Billy Reid initially came on my radar after their very successful collection with Levi's. Since then the brand have become one of my favourite and mot consistent performers in menswear. For AW12 they took it to the catwalk and its no surprise it is their strongest collection to date. It really catapults the brand into the forefront of the current tailoring phenomenon. Their southern american inspired cuts and pastel washed colours that sculpted previous collections are prevalent and bring a refreshing new dimension to the formal looks making them accessible to both casual and formal markets. The knitwear and outerwear was simply brilliance...

Acne Mens AW12 Collection

Bit late with these posts apologies. Milan to Paris and the AW12 shows roll on, I have only picked a couple of shows as I know the blog has been a bit catwalk heavy but their was a huge amount of interesting collections on offer. Acne are always on the top of my list when it comes to Paris, they always deliver a clean cut collection. This season is no different, the colour combinations were exceptional and with uncomplicated tailoring without the heavy detailing of other shows really let the brands cuts and fabrics do the talking. I was very impressed with the careful layering and monogram patterning which manages to bring a casual aspect into a very suave collection...

Missoni x Converse Auckland Racer AW12

Many of you might have noticed the original version of this sneaker gracing my Top 10 of 2011, but to my dismay as with many collaborations they never saw release. But having garnered serious amounts of interest over the last 6 months their second iteration debued down the catwalk in Milan and will release this October and I simply cannot wait. It does however seem their may be a slightly more romantic scenario for the release of this shoe in 2012 the London Olympic year. The last time the games came to London in 1948, Ottavio “Tai” Missoni, an international athlete and track suit maker qualified for the finals of the 400m hurdle race and went on to meet Rosita Jelmini at Wembley. They married in April 1953, and five years later showed their first Missoni collection together. The rest is history. I love the woven wool upper against the pure white sole, it is a great contrast and as always the pattern is perfectly busy, this is definitely on my to buy list for 2012...

Prada AW12 Mens Collection

Well enough has been said about the star studded Prada Mens AW12 Show in Milan but what about the collection itself. It was a masterclass in true Italian gentlemans style, long jackets cut to perfection, double breasted suits and polo necks peeping from collared shirts. I think it is testament to how fine the sartorial elements in this collection fit together that even in the absence of a tie every look is very sharp, smart and masculine. I loved the deep satin colours in the show, the quality of the materials really shone through, and the geometric patterns on the scarves, shirting and outerwear which has continued from last seasons line. Its great to see tailoring taking centre stage this season and being interpreted in so many different ways is really got me pondering a well overdue new suit...

Woolrich Woolen Mills AW12 Collection

With Mark McNairy in command its not hard to see why Woolrich Woolen Mills have been increasingly on my radar over the last 2 years. The lookbooks are always simple but meticulously styled as the behind the scenes video above testifies. What always strikes me as brilliant is the balance that the brand manages to strike between streetwear and formalwear sometimes bringing both into the same outfit. As you would expect the outerwear is the highlight with a great selection of duffles, parkas and jackets. Can't wait to get a look in more detail especially at the quilted wool vests which look like a great layering piece for the colder months...

Burberry Prorsum Mens AW12 Collection

The Burberry Prorsum Mens Collection is always one of the highlights of the Milan fashion calendar and for AW12 it once again did not disappoint. Christopher Bailey seems to have the midas touch of late and the collection was a triumph from start to finish. The tailoring in this collection was stunning and showed the brand is intent on making their mark on the mens sartorial domain. The opening looks showcased a selection of beautiful grey suits which paired with tweed flat caps and english resin animal head umbrellas (which are a perfect winter accessory) completely immersed you in the english gentleman mood. Alongside the tailoring was a very nice selection of knitwear with varying necklines and unique patterning but very much kept the very clean cut, smart aesthetics of the rest of the show. I thought the collection flowed beautifully and as you would expect from Burberry ended with some strong outerwear and also some very interesting velvet suits in autumnal shades. Altogether it was another faultless outing for the brand, even when critiquing the small details in the brightly coloured suede gloves and leather shoulder strapped umbrellas there was no real weaknesses to be found. In the words of a gentleman bravo...