STOP THE PRESS! A new designer x high street collaboration has arrived on the fashion scene. River Island hasn’t even finished selling their latest collaboration with Baartmans & Siegel, before they’re teasing us with the next, with NEWGEN award’s first ever winner, James Long.
River Island’s Design Forum has worked with some of the best menswear designers out there, with fashion artistes such as Katie Eary, Joseph Turvey and the Dutch/Anglo duo Baartmans and Siegel, all creating capsule one off collections for the high street store.
James Long has a huge following from journalists at GQ and AnOther Man magazine, and is a regular at London Collection: Men. Long describes his newest designs as working “into [an] eclectic wardrobe” for the modern man.
So what can we expect?
For spring summer 2015 James Long has produced a 10-piece streetwear collective. Here are just some of the standout pieces:
The Bomber
Crafted in nylon with golden zippers on the shoulder area that transform it into a gilet, the convertible outerwear is printed with art drawn by James Long. Tate Modern eat your heart out!
The Sweatshirts
The sweatshirts stripes are created using various fabrics in an appliqué edged in bright pink piping. The design is in more of a graphic print style on a monochrome background, with hints of yellow and blues.
The T-shirts
T-shirts are a continuation of the oversized trend from autumn winter 14, and feature a geometric graphic design echoing the print on the interchangeable bomber.
The Shorts & Joggers
Trimmed just below the knee in keeping with the sports luxe theme throughout the collection. For those jogger pant lovers amongst us, then expect them to be made in neoprene – the fabric used in wetsuits.
The Accessories – rucksack & sunglasses
Also built in neoprene fabric, but this time into a backpack covered in designs by Long. But for the summer festivals and the trips to a sandy beach next summer, then the collaboration has mirrored sunglasses edged in pink to cover your peepers.
Other fabrics used in the collection are PVC pressed onto jersey to create a unique texture. The edges of the garments are raw, adding a sense of deconstruction to the pieces increasing the already artistic vibe to the collection.
The 10-piece collection is due out in February 2015 with a date to be confirmed prices being £28-£90.
