RCA Work in Progress – Menswear highlights

The Royal College of Art’s annual Fashion and Textiles Work in Progress exhibition was staged at the College recently, offering a unique insight into the work of the current students. The overall atmosphere was one of colourful and confident optimism. ARTS THREAD rounds up some highlights from the menswear fashion students.

Menswear looked impressive at the entrance to the exhibition, with some strong individual statements, and vibrant colour. Alex Mullins’ bold, primitive-print jacket with faux fur was displayed over a great sweater with a huge ‘Marmite’ logo and exuded a great cartoonish exuberance.

We loved Calum Taylor’s display which showcased some elegant illustration, great hangers made from welded copper pipe and his bold panelled stripe jacket and scarf – perfect for the modern-day dandy.

Peter Bailey’s menswear also stood out, not least for his bold use of zingy pink and orange mixed with blue bleach-spattered jeans, but also for his great layering of fabric textures.

Cherie Newing’s bright and beautiful knits were covetable and cosy, mixing machine jacquards with a chunkier hand knit and Benedicte Holmboe is predicting the future is bright, showing a chunky, loose-knit shocking-pink sweater.

Alexander Lamb’s ‘water-marbled’ printed parka looked terrific, as did Bennet Loveday’s waxed and printed outerwear. Also attracting a lot of attention, Aku Petteri-Backstrom’s great, chunky boots had fantastic character, utilising wood, Perspex, aged leather and rusty metal eyelets.

We also loved Samuel Memberry’s quiet approach and his beautiful textured wool coat. Finally, Fah Chakshuvei’s display was distinctive and captivating, with delicate sepia-tinted collage illustrations and an immaculate cream jacket with decorative laser–cut collar.

Fashion Menswear, Royal College of Art