NY Men’s Fashion Week, To Be Or Not To Be?

Although many fashion cities have left menswear in the room with the lights turned off while womenswear flourished, British menswear has always held an importance in our past and present. The influence of our Town and Country Menswear industry, built upon meeting the needs of rural life and city life, in many ways has never been stronger. What does the world love about the style of fabrics, silhouettes and designs we wear? One important factor is: British style transcends fashion trends and commercialism. In a world where clothing has taken a pivotal turning point, becoming more of a bottom-line product than a thing of beauty, men throughout the world feel a respect and admiration for the quality and durability of our tweed suits and suede Brogues. While many men specifically across the Atlantic purchase with a different approach, many are wanting a connection with British craftsmanship with the likelihood of passing down their items of clothing. A shift has taken place with many men owning a blazer or a tie, a scarf or a solid silver single Albert watch with the intention of their purchases becoming family heirlooms, the ways our fathers and grandfathers wore with pride.

With this shift taking place, the Council of Fashion Designers in America (The US equivalent of the British Fashion Council) have been in discussions to create a New York Men’s Fashion Week similar to London Collections: Men. With many American designers including Tom Ford (who is based in London) and Tommy Hilfiger showcasing at last month’s London Collections: Men, it is clear that not only are American menswear designers looking to cater to their European demographic but that there is a piece of the pie American men would like a slice of too. What will be important however, is how to make the designs uniquely American. Successful or unsuccessful? It’s too early to say.With a build it and they will come approach we have Milan Men’s and Paris Men’s week and London Men’s week so there is room for New York. If discussions progress there could be a NY men’s week as early as this summer. When it comes to irreplaceable style rather than men’s fashion one thing is certain: there is British style and there is British style.

By Cole Simmons