Edward Crutchley returns to the London Fashion Week Men catwalk for his second season in an exploration of communication, looking to the past and the present for visual cues that transcend language and can still meaningfully convey ideas in our contemporary world. Heritage, tradition and spiritually remain central to Crutchley’s work with this season seeing a fresh perspective on globalism and how this cultural melding has also created space for cultural expression and sharing. Looking at ‘Journey to The West’; one of the Four Great Works of Chinese literature and it’s modern revival in film, a tale of legendary pilgrimage out of one’s own culture and into the unknown, as popular today as it was in the 16th Century and strongly rooted in folk religion, mythology, philosophy and spiritual insight. Crutchley also references the piecemeal appropriation of Celtic mysticism as a touchstone for wider Western concepts of spirituality contrasted and counter-imposed against Grecian classicism.

Edward Crutchey have collaborated this season with emoji® –  a playful and truly contemporary brand founded on the premise of a globally comprehensive visual language able to convey concepts and ideas across linguistic and cultural boundaries. emoji® is the owner and licensor of the registered emoji® trademark and more than 7,000 icons, patterns and stickers that are central to how we communicate today with direct links back through the ages to pictograms – the most ancient form of written communication used from China to Egypt to the Americas. This collaboration is a first for emoji® within the luxury market. Selecting icons from the emoji® library that support the narrative and storytelling around this seasons theme Crutchley contrasts what appears to be a classically inspired print story with flashes from the present day.

Continuing his exploration into contemporary artisanal craftsmanship this season Edward has collaborated with Kopenhagen Fur on two mink garments Using a traditional hand cut and dyed intarsia technique with new techniques of leather strip insertion inspired by samples in Kopenhagen Fur’s Ateliers collection. Through a combination of Edward’s textile expertise and the exceptional skill of the contemporary furrier these pieces have pushed the limits of what is achievable with the media of fur.

This season’s collection explores the use of graphics across different textile media to create a contrast of texture and sense of richness. Looking at artisanal craft techniques and how these are still relevant to the future of contemporary fashion grounds this season’s mood in a tactile context. Crutchley expands upon an identifiable silhouette where the contrast of volume and drape creates space and movement beyond the limits of the body. Shapes take inspiration from cultures across the the world and through the ages; YSL’s ‘Scandal’ collection, chi poa, Les Incroyables,1960’s Mod dresses, zoot suits and the L.A. riots of 1943, TLC’s ‘Creep’ video and early 1980’s Armani and the beginnings of Power Dressing.

All looks are paired with Hi Tec ‘Walk Lite RGS’. A new shape from the HTS74 range of luxury trainers. Adding a perfect touch of contemporary luxury athleticism.

CREDIT INFORMATION
Styling: Julian Ganio
Casting: Sophie Hynas @ Leda Casting
Men’s Hair: Lee Machin @ Caren Agency using Label M
Women’s Hair: Kota Suiza @ Caren Agency using Label M
Make-up: Michelle Dacillo @ Caren Agency using Tarte
Runway Photography: Helle Moos
Backstage Photographer: Steph Wilson
Runway Video: Joe Wilson
Special thanks to JinDian Yang, Karen Coughlan, Hugo Jalabert, John Handford, Tamsin Gale, Georgia, Shannon, James, Ella, Ash and the team at The Lobby, Lis and the team at Sewn Agency, Greg, Jaki, Helen and all of Johnstons of Elgin, Ratti SpA, Caren, Victoria and all at Caren Agency, Particularly thanks to Salt, Ata, Nergis, George and Luci at TRUK 1609.

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