Since its establishment in 2005, MAN has seen some of Britain’s best menswear designers send collections down its runways, from J.W. Anderson to Christopher Shannon. For SS15, it was Bobby Abley’s third and final show with the initiative, whilst Nicomede Talavera and Liam Hodges took the two other spots on the line-up after presenting at Fashion East last season.
Initial reaction:
Gingham geometry lesson in the Middle East.
How they wore it:
Layered and long, with Vans. Debuting at MAN after showing under the Fashion East menswear installations, Talavera explored rigorous, pleated lines and plissé pinstripes across long tunic silhouettes.
Initial reaction:
Pagan boy scouts gathering in the woods for ceremonial mischief.
How they wore it:
Oversize and covered in patches and re-appropriated scout badges, with Palladium boots and scout hats. For his first season with MAN, the RCA MA graduate looked to the eccentric ways of alt boy scouts The Kindred of the Kibbo Kift, collaging a collection of sportswear-inspired pieces laced with mystical meaning and worn with long talisman-like necklaces.
Initial reaction:
Abley's dark Disney obsession takes a moody tropic vacation as hacienda florals and glitter join cartoon prints.
How they wore it:
Abley rounded off his last season with MAN with a final instalment of his Disney escapades trilogy. Diving into The Little Mermaid, he put Ursula's face on neoprene sweatshirts and took Ariel on a trip to the skate park.
