WORD.

LONDON FASHION WEEK S/S2011 – CAROLYN MASSEY 

Transitioning from several seasons showing on the catwalk to The Portico Rooms presentation space, newly intimate proceedings allowed a valuable focus upon Carolyn Massey's classically elegant yet boundary broaching aesthetic. Inspired by the natural attitude to masculine dressing portrayed in Tibor Lakman's 'Un-Fashion' and Jackie Nickerson's 'Farm', Carolyn once again addressed menswear with a never overwrought ease, producing pieces both statement and staple that most - nigh on every - man would happily monopolise.

A signature focus upon the forces moving from the armed to the naval, a palette of cream, stone, mustard, rust, ink, Prussian blue and navy, informed a revitalized riff on nautical. From cuffed, slender chinos to panelled pinstripe shirts, hypnotic bretons to knee length shorts, funnel necked reefers to cropped and long line parkas, tweaked cuts - an aforementioned longer line, a flap pocket at the torso, removed collars and wider sleeves cinched at the wrist - complemented a pitch-perfect play with colour.

Quintessentially English - heightened by a cast of fresh faces and tousled locks - wrapped skirts and layered leggings lying slightly loose rather than second skin tight introduced an organic Eastern accent, Massey's subtle evolution of the classics ever continuing.

Photos by Duilio Marconi

Posted by Luke Raymond