Words - Taj Hayer 

Photography - Nicholas Andrews

If minimalism is the menswear mood at the moment, trust Edward Crutchley to throw a curveball and deliver a collection that was all about opulence.

Crutchley is a designer on the rise. Success at luxury retailers, an intelligent approach to design, his collections often take inspiration from the past, with many  of the pieces from the autumn offering akin to what one might have found in the court of Charles II.  Extravagance is what the designer does best and the full on, borrowed from all over the world from a mix of periods in time, and was evident all over this collection. Titled Glam Epoch, the luxury factor was evident from the off with the grand piano that played in the ballroom of Skinners Hall.

Well-tailored suits in bold checks, with floral embroidery and rhinestones and sensational printed Erik Jones shirts were a real highlight. Silk shirts have become something of an Edward Crutchley trademark and the naked bodies gave them a newness for autumn.  The clash of colour and texture made for an interesting approach to how to dress for autumn with the graphic shirts styled with cable knits. Delicate gold jewellery made a real statement and further amplified the sense of grandeur and unadulterated opulence.

Whilst the show was theatrical, and the models hair a real talking point, these clothes were all wearable, over the top fashion at its very best.

Explore further at Edward Crutchely.