Haute Concept

Belgian designer Raf Simons has teamed up with sporty British brand Fred Perry to create a two season capsule collection.

The Raf Simons for Fred Perry collection will be in stores for Fall 2008 and include 13 pieces. The collection will be replacing Fred Perry’s seven season collaboration with Comme des Garcon.

Richard Martin, head of marketing at Fred Perry, tells DNR, “From a global positioning perspective, the Comme des Garçons collections have done amazing things for our brand….But we wanted to broaden our product range a bit rather than just having a few star polo shirts and jackets, which Comme wasn’t on board for, so we looked at other international figures we could work with. Raf Simons was on top of that list. His work is very much tied in to U.K. subcultures, music, graphic art and youth. There’s a lot of synergy in his approach to fashion and our brand.”

The debut fall collection includes a heavy piqué polo ($195 retail); a textured acrylic/cotton polo ($485); a short-sleeved wool/nylon turtleneck sweater ($370); a mohair turtleneck sweater ($550); a wool/acrylic/alpaca chunky knit sweater ($845); and a wool flannel trouser ($400).”

Raf Simons also designs for Jil Sander as well as his own siganture line.

Raf Simons Partners With Fred Perry [DNR]

For Fall Winter 2008-09, the Obedient Sons collection featured modern twists on classic pieces.

Husband and wife team of Swaim and Christina Hutson most recently garnered recognition being for one of six finalists for GQ/C.F.D.A.’s Best New Menswear Designer in America award.

For this collection they chose to incorporate giant buffalo plaids and window pane plaids into tailored pieces. Modern, fitted silhouettes brought traditional fabrics up to date.

The edgy styling of shorts over fitted leggings kept the collection relevant as did shawl collars on tailored jackets. Certain trousers had cuffs at the ankles conveying the comfort of pajamas, while a wide neck crew sweater seemed incredibly right. Fingerless gloves were seen on all models in keeping with the trend seen throughout the Fall 2008 collection.

A color palette made heavy use of grey.

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