One of my favourite presentations on the London Collections: Men calendar is always Belstaff. A global British luxury lifestyle brand headquartered in London, Belstaff is steeped in heritage and a spirit of adventure. Every season, Belstaff sources grand English venues across London and embraces the brand’s biker roots with live model presentations, realistic sets, props and cocktails.

Belstaff’s spring/summer 2017 collection “On Any Sunday Escape on Wheels” was inspired by a ’70s motorcycle film starring and funded by Steve McQueen.

Belstaff presented their menswear spring/summer 2017 collection, titled ‘On Any Sunday Escape on Wheels’, across from the iconic London views of Westminster Abbey. Upon arriving in Westminster amongst the parliament buildings, there was a biker doing tricks outside the Queen Elizabeth II Centre with Belstaff black flags, making it easy to spot the venue. I later discovered it was the twelve-time Trial World Champion Dougie Lampkin MBE performing one of his famous two-wheel routines. On top of it all, it was amazing to think that just around the corner Trooping The Colour was taking place at The Mall in celebration of our Queen’s 90th birthday.

The latest collection is inspired by Bruce Brown’s seminal 1971 motorcycle film, On Any Sunday, starring Steve McQueen. Key ‘70s design references, including colour-blocking, hand-waxed cotton and leathers, open necklines, sportswear, denim and even the classic one-piece, were taken from the carefree bikers in the film. Belstaff also included five looks from the women’s spring 2017 pre-collection, featuring luxurious leathers, hand-waxed suede, lightweight denim and technical outerwear with racing motifs.

A distinct ’70s vibe, the show also included a few looks from the women’s spring 2017 pre-collection.

Amongst the crowd of attendees, and blending in with the live models showcasing the new collection, were top male models David Gandy and Paul Sculfor, ex Made in Chelsea stars turned fashion entrepreneurs Hugo Taylor and Oliver Proudlock, and X Factor host Dermot O’Leary. Even Sammy Miller MBE (born in 1933), the eleven-time British Trial Champion and racing legend, was in attendance, wearing his vintage 1962 Trialmaster, Belstaff’s original bestselling four-pocket wax-cotton jacket.

I enjoyed spending my Sunday escaping on the tube to QEII to see Belstaff’s latest collection, influenced by their history archives and the ‘70s.

Belstaff, spring/summer 2017