Charles Jeffrey proudly made his London Collections: Men debut matter with an impressive presentation under the influence of Fashion East's breakthrough banner.
Charles hails from the last intake of Central Saint Martins' students to have been mentored by the late and great Professor Louise Wilson. After interning at Dior and completing a menswear BA in 2013 at the prestigious school, the Scottish born designer and illustratorreceived a scholarship from Creative Scotland to further his studies there and complete an MA in fashion menswear.
Fashion East swiftly selected him to join rising menswear star Grace Wales Bonner for a double takeover at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts.
Fashion East Men's Presentation is always a hot slot on fashion's calendar for emerging new design talent. The initiative launched by Lulu Kennedy in 2009 is recognized as championing some of today's brightest stars in menswear with a series of presentations on the LC: M schedule.
Jeffrey had already collaborated with fellow CSM alumni Grace Wales Bonner throughout their student days most notably with illustrations he drew of Grace's graduate collection for Nick Knight's ShowStudio.
He was recently recognized as one of "Three in the crew" by US Vogue alongside Beth Postle and Matty Bovan following a highly crafted menswear MA graduate show at London Fashion Week.
Jeffrey proved that the simplicity and quality of sharp lines and traditional wearable knits can cut an edge from the grittier and experimental side of fashion.
His statement was made by hand painting his fabrics including denim and wool with impasto applied paintwork and splatters of primary colour. Silhouettes were determined by oversized cable knits and high waists tightly cinched with looped leather belting. The narrowed tailoring and crooked shirting laid the foundations to the deconstruction.
This collection could have been a hark back to the days of Basquiat leaving his studio wearing oil paint spilled Armani to hit up the dancefloor at Studio 54 without a care about changing for either occasion.
The set up in the ICA gallery recreated Jeffrey's vision of the club subculture experienced by his alter ego 'Loverboy". The late morning presentation was a spectacular rave off with models looking like they had been up all night on it!
Although, looking a little bit worse for wear there was some seriously sharp tailoring on display. An electric blue cashmere overcoat stood out amongst Boating blazers and school shorts that had been produced on Savile Row.
His signature paint splatters had the final say and marked the occasion across the collection cementing his reputation as a serious new contender.
Charles Jeffrey now follows in the footsteps of the UK's latest menswear sensations Sibling, Nasir Mazhar, Graig Green, and Astrid Anderson who all received support from Fashion East to launch their brands into the global fashion market.
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