Hackett London

HACKETT  LONDON – SPRING/SUMMER 2013

From British sporting achievement to Mediterranean artistic endeavour, Hackett London’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection gave a uniquely modern approach to evocative sartorial style.  Through solid associations with quintessentially British establishments and events such as the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, Hackett’s contemporary take on classic menswear conveys authenticity and originality.

GREAT GATSBY brings a new modernity to nostalgic men’s style and nods to the elegance of the characters in the iconic F. Scott Fitzgerald novel.  Focusing on lightweight fabrications, Hackett’s signature tailoring epitomises twenties Hollywood style with three-piece suiting cut from wools, linens, silks and cottons.  Lapels are wider to complement the double-pleated wide leg trousers that make a welcome return to the modern gentelman’s wardrobe. In a palette of cream, ivory, bone and summer white teamed with tobacco and mocha tones, this story heralds a new era of sophisticated summer dressing.  The look can be acessorised with a colletion of vintage inspired bags ranging from holdalls to day bags.  These pieces are created from a natural look coated cotton drill trimmed with tan calf leather to complete the essential Gasby look.

ARTIST revisits a period when artists such as Picasso and Matisse ruled the Riviera and the Mediterranean joie de vivre provided their source of inspiration.  Reflecting the bohemian, more laid-back style of living, this story is best worn layered and with languor where superfine luxury knitwear is casually draped over the shoulders.  Blazers are worn over shirts or colour blocked cashmere/cotton blend v-necks, and crews, while the Breton stripe top becomes a vital wardrobe staple in knit or jersey.  The palette is a mix of vivid colours balanced with muted tones provided by the landscape and ranges from bibrant azure and turquoise to subtler lavender, French blue and indigo.  Prints feature heavily having been created exclusively by Hackett and revived from the archives of British print institution Liberty. Playful paisley print trousers are balanced with plainer separates and a fine multi-coloured ‘paint splash’ has been applied to shirts and swim shorts.

BOATHOUSE channels the sporting spirit and preppy, collegiate style of a bygone era when sportmanship and the art of dressing up went hand in hand.  Boathouse demonstrates the dressier side of sporting life in Union Jack colours of navy, rich red and antique ivory.  A new, mildly deconstructed lightweight navy blazer with fine piping is the nucleus of the story and can be styled up or down with a variety of cricket sweaters, shawl collar knits and bow or silk knit regimental ties.  The revived double pleat wide leg trouser works well with the new Hackett double breasted jacket which has been cropped for a more modern, youthful silhouette.

DESERT RALLY is a refreshed look at the traditional Hackett ‘British Explorer’ which takes on a tougher, slightly rugged appearance this season.  More adventurous and inspirational than before, this story takes in the Peking to Paris Rally with garments and accessories that have been treated to look lived-in and weathered.  Military and motorsport inspired design details such as multi-pocket jackets and khakis come in dusty tones of clay, tan and sand punctuated wth spicy hued checks and washed out reds.  Canvas bags with antique look leather trims continue to evoke the idea that the garments and accessories in this story all have a very interesting story to tell.

JAMAICA Bond creator Ian Fleming’s Jamaican residence provides the setting for the final story this season.  The gloriously hued island dotted with secret bays and tucked away coves evokes the carefree Caribbean lifestyle that inspired both the author and Hackett.  Explosions of searingly bright colours and sun-bleached pastels provide the colour palette for this story.  Patterns range from bold striped and gingham checks through to vintage paisleys and floral prints.  Created with holidays and travel to hotter climes in mind, the range includes peak lapel lightweight blazers, bright cotton trousers and shorts and garment dye knits to compliment the surroundings of the wearer.

Spring/Summer 2013 is particularly exciting for Hackett as it launches the season with its first London Fashion Show during Men’s Collection Schedule.  Framed by the theatrical setting of the Royal Opera House, it was the perfect opportunity to showcase Hacketts’  Best of British approach to men’s style and shows an international audience exactly what it’s home town has to offer.