Stitch, the London menswear trade show looks at Energy

The 3rd key category showing at Stitch was:

ENERGY – Authentic brands inspired by sport, music and performance.

And what better brand eptimosing Energy than The Saints Sinphony.

In 2007, brothers Scott and Troy Thompson’s passion for rock and roll sparked the idea of creating a tee –shirt clothing brand inspired by music. They have 3 collections : The Immortals, In Chains and The 27 Club. All their t-shirts are heavily embellished with prints and crystals front and back in distressed pre shrunk cotton. Colours are faded and washed out blacks, dark browns, dark blues, whites, purple and red.

Their newest line “the 27 club” was launched on Scott’s 27^th birthday and is a memorial to all the legendary musicians who died at the age of 27 – the more famous being Janis Joplin, Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain. All tees are embellished with the number 27.

The “In Chains” collection was inspired by their own jewellery line with large Swarovski crystals making rosary designs on the front with printed religious images on the back.

The “Immortals” was made to relive the days when rock stars lived like nothing could kill them, showing compositions including images of skulls and skeletons

The brothers have also put thought in the construction of the t-shirt – shortening the length slightly to show off the belt and jeans pockets, tightening the garment at the chest and arms to prevent the baggy look and using finer and softer cotton.

And for all you rock & roll softies, they even make long sleeved thermal tees!!

And if you still don’t have enough bling, try out their motorcycle inspired jewellery line of rosaries, pendants, belts and buckles.

Mainly sold in USA, Japan and Canada, they have an online shop on www.thesaintssinphony.com

A portion of every shirt they sell goes to music inspired charities.

Stitch, the London menswear trade show looks at Edge

The 2nd key category showing at Stich was:

EDGE – Innovative brands that deliver classic or contemporary style.

Here the label Bolongaro Trevor stand stood out with its Victorian memorabilia amongst the clothing.

Original founders of All Saints, Kait Bolongaro and Stuart Trevor moved on to create this vintage inspired label. The collection includes leather jackets treated with aniline dye to create soft supple leather - One with fine corduroy side panels and a zip embellished front to create texture. (helmet optional)

Other jackets in poplin are a twist on the union jack design in the traditional red, white and blue or a more modern red, pale denim and dark blue demin.

Splashes of acid yellows, deep pink and greens brighten up the main collection of shirts and dark gothic t-shirts with afterlife and death inspired prints.

Knitwear is super fine cotton – one black style decorated with safety pins around the neckline.

Bolongaro Trevor has their own retail store in Broadwick Street off Carnaby Street.

Stitch the London menswear trade show looks at Denim

Stitch held the only dedicated menswear trade show in the UK, bringing together an eclectic mix of designers (new and established) under one roof. This year Stitch divided the brands in to 4 key categories:

The first category being DENIM- Jeans brands and those in tune with the spirit of denim.

One of the brands showing denim targeting the fashion conscious man was the British label Full Circle

Launched in 1996 this menswear label offers an extensive ready to wear collection. In 2000 denim was introduced focussing on washes, fabrics and fits. Trousers include the drop crotch look with bulky side pockets and faded denims. Shirts include the classic denim, checks ranging from the bold and large buffalo in red or blue to the more tonal tartan in muted blues and greys.

Not forgetting the hand sketched illustrations of cheetahs, zebras,panthers and monkeys on t-shirts to bring humour when wearing your serious denims.

Ranging from casual to smart, Full Circle is now well established and can be seen in Selfridges, Fenwick, House of Fraser and ASOS.com

Liam Gallagher's label Pretty Green at Stitch

Liam Gallagher's menswear label Pretty Green reflects his own sense of style. Every design is subject to his final approval.

His autumn/winter 2010 collection was displayed at the menswear only trade show Stitch held at Old Billingsgate Market, London.

The label includes 2 collections, the more tailored black label and the more casual green label.

For the black label :Shirts are either granddad style or narrow button down collars, the signature pattern is paisley with the words “pretty” and “green” incorporated in to the design, colours include greens and purples. The jackets are lined with a monochrome paisley pattern. Polo shirt are light weight and T-shirts have tone on tone pretty green logos

The Green label is more colourful with contrasting logos on t-shirts.

The signature colour for the logo is black and green; sometimes the green appears in minute detailing if another colour is used such as in the stitching or a tiny decorative button on one cuff.

More subtle logos can be seen engraved on a few of the coats’ buttons.

Pretty Green have collaborated with Clarkes for a desert boot range in four colours: black, brown. stone and their signature green.

If you like how Liam dresses then you'll love Pretty Green

Stitch - London’s Dedicated Menswear Trade Show

Stitch held the only dedicated menswear trade show in the UK, bringing together an eclectic mix of designers (new and established) under one roof. The venue was the historical Old Billingsgate Market , the dates 30June and 1 July. Here buyers and press are able to catch a glimpse on upcoming trends.

One new label to look out for is E One Six London.

This new label specialises in luxury shirts with their first collection inspired by the lifestyle of modern man on the move – designed to take him from the office to the bar to home. Smart enough to sharpen up a suit yet relaxed enough to look great with jeans and chinos.

Colours are crisp whites and soft blues and pinks. Designs include plain fronts with striped backs.

The fabric and shirt are produced in a single European factory thus reducing carbon footprint and ensuring quality consistency. At least 35 separate parts go in to constructing one shirt, taking a skilled worker 80 minutes to make a shirt from start to finish.

Each piece is stamped with their logo which refers to the bygone era of the East London Dockers.