Thursday 17 May 2012

Thurs 17th May: British Designers Collective opening at Bicester Village














London's focus on menswear is heating up in preparation for its very first dedicated fashion week to coincide with the other capital's schedule.  Next month the designers will be showing their new collections in this seminal step from the BFC to give them a stand alone slot outside of the womenswear week.  To spread the word further into the consciousness of the country's public spending power, a pop-up shop has been set up at Bicester retail centre.  A selection of labels have been picked to introduce emerging UK talent to a broader base of customers and get shoppers aware of the gorgeous garms they might otherwise be unaware of.  Saville Row stalwarts E.Tautz and BStore are stocked in amongst New Gen names such as James Long and Lou Dalton.  The doors to the new discount destination were ceremoniously opened by Charlie Porter giving a little speech about the importance of the BFC's support in championing the contemporary menswear market. 
A gaggle of press guests were rounded up for the day and treated to a luxury hamper lunch by Bistrotheque for the train journey into Oxford.  We unwrapped paper parcels of roast beef, Scotch Eggs and Neal's yard cheese ploughman sandwiches.with pots of pate and cornichons....... all washed down with champagne!  Ben Reardon, Paul Flynn, Julian Ganio, William Oliver, Alistair Guy, Disney Roller Girl and Princess Julia were amongst the posse of journalists and stylists to attend with Jack Guinness providing the party sounds wearing his very own E. Tautz suit!

Designers stocked: B Store, Chucs Dive & Mountain Shop, Emmett, Patrick Grant’s E. Tautz, Folk, Gentlemen’s Tonic, Grenson, Heritage Research, James Long, Jane Carr, Jonathan Saunders, Lily and Lionel, Lou Dalton, Margaret Howell, Mr Natty, Oliver Spencer, Richard James, Sunspel, YMC and Tim Little.

(Photos top to bottom:  David Waddington with his picnic hampers:  Simon Glazin,  Lou Dalton and the Long siblings, Princess Julia, Jack Guinness, Alistair Guy, Fixtures & Fittings, James Long's rail, BStore shirt being sold, the Bistrotheque lunch on the train)  

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