The British Fashion Council recently hosted the annual London Collections: Men (LC:M), where the best British brands and emerging talent are put into the spotlight through catwalk presentations, events and showrooms. With a fourth day added to the schedule for 2015, this season was the biggest yet.

As always, the main LC:M Hub took place at The Hospital Club, including ready-to-wear brands curated onto three feature zones: Emerging & Streetwear, Contemporary & Outerwear and Luxe Basics & Tailoring. There was also a second Designer Showrooms BFC show and presentation space for accessories and the Newgen Men Pop-Up Showroom, where emerging new designers were able to showcase their collections. We loved having a wander around the showrooms to check out some new brands.

FAJO got a taste of the events through a live runway celebration and breakfast hosted in-store amongst hipsters at huntergather, a 1950s set-up in an underground car park near Big Ben for Belstaff, and a presentation on the Savile Row for Chester Barrie.

huntergather: The Ongoing Moment

The huntergather store on Wigmore Street, just off Oxford Street in London, held a breakfast and AW15 live presentation. This collection reflected the rich culture of possibilities at the start of the 70s – slim-fitting jackets, generous collars, boot-cut trousers, wide-belts and square-toed loafers in a palette of navy, brown and beige. There was a resemblance to the boho “hippies” and “hipsters” roaming the streets today.

Belstaff: Ton-Up Boys

With a rich heritage and a spirit of adventure, global British luxury lifestyle brand Belstaff decided to present their 1950s themed men’s autumn/winter 2015 collection in a iconically British and petrol-fumed setting: an underground car-park opposite the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.

It was an evening of rock’n’roll, motorcycles and 50s-style café set-ups, with live models posing as “greasers”: fearless, reckless and masculine. There was a British twist on the looks of luxe leather, shearling, biker style oil print and the use of knitwear as outerwear, by customizing added elements of waxed cotton riding kit and military surplus garments (strong in Belstaff’s heritage).

A live band, models in 1950s character, mini hot dogs and Grease-style bartenders serving up drinks really took you back 60 years: influenced by Belstaff’s history and archives. It was a great highlight at LC:M!

Chester Barrie: Savile Row

Chester Barrie was established over 80 years ago as one of the first to offer ready-to-wear tailoring on Savile Row. Craftsmanship, quality and attention to detail were made more accessible and now continue on with a contemporary eye.

The ultimate modern tailor to the modern man, Chester Barrie tailoring is a work of art by bringing to life a piece of cloth and creating the unexpected, which was strongly present in the latest collection as well.