LONDON -- Wild, brazen, outre. If there ever was a fearless fashion week for men, this one in would surely be it. London is, after all, at the forefront of the industry's gender-bending movement in fashion -- the place where androgyny and fluidity seem to be more accepted and celebrated than in any other major fashion hub.
Expect a continuation of that from emerging talents like Bobby Abley, Sibling, Craig Green to established houses from the likes of Burberry at men's fashion week, known as London Collections Men, which kicks off in the city on Friday and runs until Monday, Jan. 11.
As a refresh: It was Burberry that brilliantly showcased lace in its collection last season -- subtly, but beautifully so -- proving that even stalwart dynasty luxury brands can have a little fun. The ever-bold designer Abley had tongues wagging with his barely there looks, while Sibling made waves for the house's burly men sporting rib-hugging corsets and manhood-strapping jockstraps.
These designers will show alongside some of the world's best, including: Alexander McQueen, Topman Design, dunhill, Belstaff, and American heritage brand Coach. And let's not forget that among the boundary-pushing there will also be a strong representation of classic Savile Row British tailoring, including the likes of: Gieves & Hawkes, Paul Smith and Richard James.
Here's a cram session before men's fashion month officially kicks off. And be sure to follow Mashable's Snapchat as well as Twitter, @MashableFashion, for up-to-the-moment news.
THE HISTORY
The British Fashion Council decided to launch a separate fashion week for men's in June 2012, with Prince Charles opening the festivities with a speech and party thrown for London's biggest designers. It was a signifier that men's fashion week had importance in the grand scheme of the industry and showed its importance to the UK's economy.
SAVILE ROW
British style is synonymous with Savile Row, a street in central London's Mayfair. Built between 1731-1735 it began housing tailors decades later. This is the street where the tuxedo was born, when a tailor named Henry Poole created the new style in 1865 for the future King Edward VII. In the years since, modernization of the suit and its tailoring methods have been highly influenced by designers working in the area.
THE DESIGNERS
Paul Smith
For todays #TBT we’re looking back to #Summer 2013 where our men’s show in Paris served up a rainbow of sharp tailoring. #PaulSmith #ThrowbackThursday #PFW A photo posted by Paul Smith (@paulsmithdesign) on Nov 12, 2015 at 9:00am PST
The brand is know for its idiosyncratic aesthetic, "classic with a twist."
Gieves & Hawkes
Anthracite Wool Herringbone Sportscoat, Handmade in Italy – On Sale in stores and online #GievesandHawkes #Sale #Savilerow #AW15 #Handmade #Tailoring #Sartorial #London #Winter A photo posted by Gieves & Hawkes (@gieveslondon) on Jan 4, 2016 at 9:29am PST
This is one of the oldest heritage bespoke brands to come out of London.
KTZ
Under the creative direction of Marjan Pejoski, the brand has become globally recognized on the streets of New York to Seoul.
Hardy Amies
The show overcoat. We have #youreveningscovered #hardyamies A photo posted by Hardy Amies London (@hardyamieslndn) on Nov 20, 2015 at 10:47am PST
Once known as Queen Elizabeth II's dressmaker, Hardy Amies is known for its understated approach to style.
Richard James
#velvet #suit at the #aw15 #lcm show. #aw15 #sale now on at the #savilerow #store & #online #menswear #mensstyle #mensfashion #fashion #style A photo posted by Richard James Savile Row (@richardjamesofficial) on Dec 29, 2015 at 2:33am PST
Slim, sleek and modern, the brand is a favorite to Hollywood's elite: Jude Law, Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan, to name a few, are fans.
dunhill
dunhill London #SS16 collection presentation #Shanghai #dunhillLifestyle #dunhillMan A photo posted by Alfred Dunhill (@alfreddunhill) on Nov 17, 2015 at 2:51am PST
A brand founded in the late 1800s by tobacconist and inventor Alfred Dunhill, the company has become a go-to for not only suits, but luxury accessories, leather goods, and fragrances.
THE BOUNDARY PUSHERS
More than any other city, London is home to some of the most avant-garde fashion houses in the world. It's the city that thrives on its anarchist roots from the seventies, where rock and roll birthed rebels like Mick Jagger and where fashion became unabashedly unique. It's trickled into what men's style has become since.
Nasir Mazhar
nasirmazhar.com/shop #nasirmazhar #limitededition #exclusive A photo posted by Nasir Mazhar (@nasirmazhar) on Dec 30, 2015 at 4:17am PST
A favorite among celebs from 2NE1's CL to Rihanna, the brand has transformed into becoming one for men as well with its gender blurring line.
Sibling
#Repost @thecharlieporter: Tonight I'm in conversation with @sidknit and @cozettemc of @siblinglondon at the @vamuseum - it's at 7PM... I've been saying the time wrong all week... 7PM! Come! A photo posted by SIBLING LONDON (@siblinglondon) on Nov 13, 2015 at 2:18am PST
The young British brand, known for its knits, turned heads last season with its men's corsets.
Craig Green
CRAIG GREEN SS16 now available at Selfridges - London @theofficialselfridges - #craiggreen A photo posted by CRAIG GREEN (@craig_green_uk) on Dec 13, 2015 at 1:12am PST
The young designer was inspired by martial arts in his last collection, and created a collection full of an interesting take on shapes and color.
Bobby Abley
the silent auction is now over for the one off #bobbyabley x #starwars #forceforchange pieces all in aid of @greatormondst commercial pieces still available at @theofficialselfridges A photo posted by bobby abley™ (@bobbyabley) on Dec 3, 2015 at 12:26am PST
A pop culture enthusiast, Abley has been inspired by pop culture of yesterday, like a collection in homage to Disney. Recently, the designer collaborated with Star Wars on a collection based upon the stories series.
Astrid Andersen
Backstage settings. SS16. A photo posted by Astrid Andersen (@astridandersens) on Sep 2, 2015 at 6:03am PDT
Inspired by hip hop, sports, and fur, the designer fuses together a mashup of pop culture -- and nostalgia -- in her collections.
Xander Zhou
Xander Zhou AW 15 in《T Magazine》China @trunkxu #countdown #AW16 A photo posted by xanderzhou (@xanderzhou) on Jan 4, 2016 at 9:07am PST
The Chinese designer proves that one can have it all, as he moonlights as the men's fashion director at T Magazine China.
THE BIG BRANDS
This year, London will host household names from Moschino, Topman, Burberry, and Coach, among others.
Burberry
'Make sure you really tuck when you're going to tuck - don't half tuck, full tuck' @JamesBayMusic's trampolining technique on the festive set, watch now on YouTube.com/Burberry. Star in your own festive film at the @Burberry 121 Regent Street Flagship store A photo posted by Burberry (@burberry) on Nov 24, 2015 at 10:48am PST
Born in the 1800s, the brand was known mostly from its outerwear when its founder, Thomas Burberry, made the trench famous.
Topman
@ollyyears from #yearsandyears spotted in @attitudemag wearing a #topmandesign suede star emblazoned jacket and cream #rollneck jumper. Photography: @richardstow Creative Direction: @josephkocharian Stylist: @colinebach Grooming: @ElaineLynskey. #squadrolls #style #menswear #ollyalexander #ollyalexanderfans A photo posted by Topman (@topman) on Dec 14, 2015 at 6:22am PST
Though widely popular in the U.S., the brand has been around since the 70s when it opened up shop in London.
Moschino
Moschino Spring/Summer 2016 by @ITSJEREMYSCOTT! Now available on https://t.co/qn2J7HYHGM! pic.twitter.com/6uIvC1S0r7— Moschino (@Moschino) January 4, 2016
Under designer Jeremy Scott, the brand has been revived again thanks to its flamboyant, in-your-face aesthetic.
Coach
First looks backstage at #CoachMens2016 in London. #LCM pic.twitter.com/3voPO9jE2m— Coach, Inc. (@Coach) June 13, 2015
Now with a brand new direction, Coach is proving that it's becoming relevant again in the fashion realm.