Moving away from the very British influences that dominated Lou Dalton's collection last season, for her Spring Summer 13 showing it was all about the United States. The iconic Americana shapes of the bomber jacket, Harrington and open necked tops with a nod towards the bowling shirt were all very present.

I am obsessed with striving to do your best and I love an underdog. Someone once said that success is the best form of revenge and I really feel that is incredibly apt

"We watched a lot of films from the mid 70s while pulling the collection together. 'EraserHead', 'Breaking Away' and 'Taxi Driver' were all things we revisited," explains Dalton. The collection had a definite mid-America aesthetic and while vintage in some elements at the same time was distinctly contemporary. Highlighted details gave things a modern twist including suede shoulder shirts and neon pops.

Airtex basketball vest style mesh was also used throughout the collection, adding that modernity and a much sportier feel than previously seen. Detailing in the material including panels and sections across the suits and shirting, complemented by knee length shorts done out in the fabric. "The mesh was all about the idea of restraint and obsession which is really current in Taxi Driver," says Dalton. "I'm interested in the idea that you become fixated with something and can't let go. The mesh and the harness summed that up for me".

Ambition and direction were also important concepts for Lou, ideas that she has played with previously. A couple of seasons ago she looked to the plight of the British miners as her reference, along with New Romantics. "I am obsessed with striving to do your best and I love an underdog. Someone once said that success is the best form of revenge and I really feel that is incredibly apt".

Overall for the first show of the debut London Men's Collections Lou Dalton really pushed things forwards and offered a really fresh take on her ideas. It was very much in the designers style but gave it an updated feel. "I really thought that this new silhouette was something I wanted to start pushing with Lou Dalton. It is really about the way I feel the men around me are dressing".

Photography Olena Slyesarenko