The Year of the Suit

When I think back through the course oaf the year and I reflect on the various styles that have come and gone in mens fashion theres one thing that I think definitely stands out as this year biggest fashion hit. On fashion blogs, on the amazing photo site Pinterest and on the streets there was no way to escape the Dapper trend this year!

This year was the year of the rebirth of the gentleman. I love it when there's a chance to be a little more dressed up and when the term "dress to impress" comes into it's own. This year thanks to this trend I have seen my own personal style change little by little and become slightly more understated and basic. Especially through the latter end of the year. 

I've done away with the accessories and focused more on the actual garments to make the statement by just being there. Paired with each other to make a simple and classic look. Don't get me wrong I do still love a good accessory but I won't look at rings or necklaces now. Instead I now love a good time piece (love those words "time piece", so classy). 

Now this doesn't mean that I'm saving up for a designer suit that cost £2,000 anytime soon at all! Nor does it mean that I am going to exclusively wear two and three piece suits. It's no secret that my favourite thing in my wardrobe are my black stretch skinny jeans from River Island. But I want to try wearing a suit jacket causally with my jeans. Then we will see if a nice pair of trousers comes into play anytime soon too!

 

McQueen Brings Asia

Hello!

One of my favourite designers of all time is Alexander McQueen. After his passing the fashion world looked to Sarah Burton to see what she would accomplish with the label. Season after season I waited in anticipation to see what direction she will take the name.

Her collections have wowed me I have to say. I have loved the different styles she has shown from previous collections and this season brought Asia to the runway. The collection was inspired by a personal collection of antique kimono's. Floral prints and embellishment adored the looks in an array of array of fabrics including wool, silk, marquetry leather and even hand cut floral ruffles. Modern, feminine, dark but stunning all at the same time. Its a gorgeous collection. Full of floral influences from Asia with traditional styles with modern contemporary twists. This to me is the idea of classic with twists. This may become my choice for best collection of the season!

I abosoutley love this collection! It took a while but i've chosen 5 of my favourite looks from the show. Below is also an illustration i did of a look from the show also! Hope you enjoy! 

#AlexanderMcQueen #SS15 @WorldMcQueen

What do you think? Comment below! Remember to "Always Be Classic"! Until next time! Bye!

Illustrations!

Hi Guys!

A smaller post this time but I wanted to share with you some of my practises with my fashion illustration skills. I usually use CAD for my designs but I wanted to bump up my hand illustrations. I started with markers and then ended using pencil. The last is my favourite and in my opinion the best I've ever done. What do you think? 

#fashionillustration #fashion 

see more on my Instagram! : @ryanpilkington 

LFW Review - The Best

Hello!

It's  been that hectic, fantastic and stylish week again that is London fashion Week!  That means it's time for a look at my best shows from the whole event! London Fashion Week is known for being edgy, fun, loud and obviously amazing (it's Britain of course!) so did LFW live up this time?

12/09/14 - J JS Lee - This is a new designer to me and I have to say that it was a good first impression. Love the clean, modern and simplistic style to the collection! 

13/09/14 - Ong Oaj Pairam - WOW. This collection is stunning. New, edgy, classic and modern with a cultural edge. Amazing! A designer to watch!  

13/09/14 - Lucas Nascimento - This collection really shows LFW to be the forefront for modern pattern cutting, forward thinking and modern style. Love it! (So good I had to put two shows in at best for this date!)

 

14/09/14 - Mary Katrantzou - instead of digital prints for this collection, Mary used interesting fabrics and tailoring with soft touches to bring a collection that is simply beautiful.

 

 

 

15/09/14 - Issa - This is a fun, innovative and crew collection that is simple, pretty and modern all wrapped up! 

16/09/14 - Anya Hindmarch - These looks definitely caught my attention! Surprising, innovative, creative and amusing! Wow. 

 

 

I think it's safe to say that London Fashion Week has yet again shown what Britain can do with fashion and creativity! Always an event to attended and one that never, ever lets you down! Shame the same can't be said about the weather! What did you ink to the shows? Which was your favourite? Come back next time for LFW Review - The "Worst"! Remember to "Always Be Classic". Looking forward to Milan Fashion Week (MFW) next! Bring it on D&G! Let me know what you think! Comment below and share the love! 

#ryanpilkington #fashion #LFW 

Bye! 

The First

Hello again!

Hope everyone has had a great weekend and that going back to work isn't too bad! With this blog post I want to give you all an update and a look in to the latest collection being designed here at Ryan Pilkington!

Recently with orders being placed for evening wear I have had opportunities to look more into one of my favourite parts of the fashion world. Evening wear and haute couture. Designers like Elie Saab are my favourites. Always stunning, feminine and classic. I love seeing the details, the silhouettes and fabrics. As you'll soon find out "classic is my favourite word".

 

"Classic is my favourite word"

I wanted to use this information and growing interest a little more and design a small capsule collection of 8 looks and this would become the first collection officially designed for the Ryan Pilkington brand/business! Very exciting! With the collection, that's in the works now, I wanted to design looks that are classic, unique and sexy. It's no secret that the colour black is like the sword in the stone for fashion. Loved by all, this colour is the main colour for the collection. Dark, mysterious, intriguing and sexy this colour said everything I wanted with this collection.

Along the silhouette lines fort he collection I wanted simple elegance. No fussiness, nothing that was overworked or too flashy. This collection is more a celebration and a look into simplicity. The form of the female body and the classic chicness of letting just the shape of the woman and the fall of the fabric  do the talking. No distractions. Following along with those key points for the collection in mind I thought of fabrics. Silk is classic, falls beautifully and slides on the skin. This was the first obvious choice and then came lace. Lace is a cheeky fabric I find. The idea that your still wearing a piece of fabric however around 80% of it is sheer. Covered but exposed at the same time. Add black, silk and lace together and this is the foundations for the Black Classics Collection by Ryan Pilkington.

Check out the looks so far and find out more information along with new looks and more on the official Facebook page for Ryan Pilkington

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ryan-Pilkington/1586243024937075

Sewing Bee

I loved the first series of The Great British Sewing Bee and even bought the first book, and made the men's pyjama bottoms from it on which I did a blog post on! So it came natural to watch series two and buy the Sew Your Own Wardrobe book!

Normally this book is £25 but at a Costco near me they had it for £13! Obviously I couldn't pass this opportunity up. All purchased and read this book is amazing. It gives amazing hints and tips for beginner and more experienced sewers and is jam packed with next and interesting sewing projects to do at home. I cant wait to start making a garment a week (my personal summer challenge) and make my own portfolio of garments made over summer. I am most excited about making the men's anorak! The book even comes with 5 large pieces of paper which hold about 3 different garment patterns each so if you don't know how to draft garment patterns then don't worry! I'll let you see each garment as its completed!

A must buy!

Julien Macdonald

Matalan have teamed up with British fashion designer Julian Macdonald to launch a new formal line! W10 shows us classic tailoring in greys and blacks. Each piece a classic. Now for me the items that stood out for me was the shoe range!

I love a good pair of shoes (my shoe rack proves this!) and I have to say that you cant beat a good pair of classic formal shoes. I am quite particular with this however but the footwear that Julian and Matalan have created is great! Matte, Gloss, pointed and brogue styles all available! My favourite was the glossy pair you see here. Pair these with a classic tailored black suit for a dinner and you'll be the man who's on everyone's mind!

Moulage & Betty Jackson!

One of my latest creations came in form of a university project. This was Moulage. The idea of this is to work directly on the stand with the fabric instead of creating paper patterns at the beginning. This was exciting. Prior to this I have never worked in this way. We had a session on the basics and then we ran with it. The garment that I created was the product of a few weeks practise and some quick designing. 



I finished the garment 3 week prior to the deadline so needless to say I was very happy. I had found the best way for me to make garments. I was quick and easily motivated by this process, more hands on to start with instead of taking endless measurements. This meant I could add finishing touches and details to the garment. This soon became my best garment to date in my opinion. Still is.

The best part of this project was that we had a visit form Betty Jackson! yes the Betty Jackson! After being nervous all day I tried to keep my cool as she walked through the room. Trying to make myself look busy with my garment when she stopped right next to me! "This is nice how are you going to do this?" that's when I realised she was talking to me! I answered her with how I would attach the details. My tutor was also there with her and she began explaining that I had found Moulage easy and I had found my feet with the process to which Betty Jackson said she also liked to work this way. "You know the first garment I made I completely forgot someone had to get their head into it, don't tell anyone that" she laughed smiled and walked off. Wow. A designer had praised my dress.

My week was complete with that. Here is the garment made out of white felt and paper nylon.

My Favourite Collection

Recently I had a project at university set for me called Whimsical Wings. This project was based around the theme of anything that flies, from man made machines to natural animals. Although this project at first presented a challenge with design, I have to say that its my favourite collection I've ever designed for a project!


The original idea was to have the collection based on the theme of Leonardo Da Vinci. One of the most influential men of science in history. Artist, inventor mathematician and scientist this man was a master of all trades. However I wanted to make this project more quirky and fun. I instantly thought of one thing I was addicted to as a child. Dinosaurs! Feathered dinosaurs to be exact to be specific. this was the starting point.


I looked at colour, shape and species for my collection. After researching various species I finally chose the "missing link" in evolution. The Archaeopteryx. After extensive research I looked at WGSN for S/S 15 predicted trends and after drafting out designs my collection was born.


This is my Spring and Summer 2015 Collection: Archaeopteryx.   

Mulberry Must See Show

Watching the s/s 13 shows I came across one of the great British fashion brands Mulberry. This show is always one of my favourites to watch because if their consistency within their style and design. They are a label that always stays true to their look while still showing us something new each season.

This show was filled with leather, knit and sheer. Colours stayed neutral and natural in white, black, green and tan to tie in with the all natural theme the runway and backstage area had been designed in. Also every Mulberry show wouldn't be complete without a poodle! The fashion was stunning, it embodied the British summer with flowing dresses and maxi skirts in pastel colours and then layered over we're biker style jackets complete with signature gold flower buttons, metallic prints and tweed. Just in case it rains in summer you can still look amazing. I loved all of the looks in the show. Can't wait to see what Mulberry will give us next season!