Fashion East has announced its menswear designers for SS16, calling on two of the UK's most exciting talents. Grace Wales Bonner and Charles Jeffrey have been selected to takeover an entire section of London's ICA gallery to showcase their work. Wales Bonner returns to Fashion East after she made a spectacular debut in January with her AW15 Ebonics collection. Central Martins MA graduate Jeffrey, who also runs the clubnight LOVERBOY, makes his debut.
Lulu Kennedy, Director of Fashion East said: “We believe so strongly in the talent of Grace and Charles that we’ve given them a whole big area of the ICA each to do their brilliant thing in. I love each one’s attitude and vision, and the absolute conviction with which they approach their work. And that’s before we even mention how brilliant the clothes are!”
Wales Bonner is on a real upward trajectory, a designer who's captivating audiences with her bold depictions of masculinity, black culture and excess. Jeffrey's work is more anarchic. His clothes have an extravagant Party Monster clubscene aesthetic, drawing on themes of opulence.
The two designers are in good company – Craig Green, Nasir Mazhar and Matthew Miller are all names who started out at Fashion East. Watch this space.
