London Collections Men: Nigel Cabourn SS16
For SS16, Nigel Cabourn took to the sea, taking inspiration from the British and US Navy in WWII when the two countries joined together to combat enemy ships, planes and submarines. The result is three different collections in one; the Authentic and Mainline Collections, which were influenced by naval officers, and Lybro x Nigel Cabourn, which was inspired by garments sailors and workers wore at the time.
Taking place at The Army Gym - Cabourn’s London store – this presentation had a decidedly naval theme throughout, with twisted ropes, lifebuoys, and vintage sailing paraphernalia filling the space. The collection was made up of utilitarian pieces in navy, black, grey, white and beige, while denim and chambray featured heavily throughout.
The collection was both smart and casual; the single and double-breasted waistcoats with matching trousers were the strong, tailored pieces, but the use of thick cotton ensured that the range was still at the casual end of the spectrum. In contrast, the ‘worker’ influence was seen in oversized overalls, Donkey jackets and naval dungarees, while a range of ‘Army Gym’ jersey sweats, which take inspiration from military sportswear, was also seen throughout.
Functional designs with a vintage aesthetic is what Nigel Cabourn is known for, and this collection proved that this is what he does best.
