Cover Story
The future of menswear is bright: ‘Next Gen’ new arrivals for Spring-Summer ‘22 are landing
The latest contemporary and tailoring buys for ‘MAN’, in conversation with Buying Director Rob Ferris
4 Minute Read
Harrolds’ latest vision for men’s contemporary wear and tailoring attire has manifested in a ‘New Gen’ assortment of globally-trending, deeply-considered brands. While recurring favourites return (insert Jacquemus, We11 Done, Goodfight and Wynn Hamlyn here), SS22’s racks are festooned with notable tailoring brands from many season’s past.
Buying Director Rob Ferris knows a tailoring renaissance is upon us in a post-lockdown world, and has carefully selected high-dressing options for SS22 accordingly. Today, we check in with Rob to retrace the buying process and forecast the future of dressing into the new year.
Harrolds has significantly refreshed and modernised its offering
Rob Ferris, Buying Director
Rob Ferris, Buying Director
What kind of trends, aesthetic sensibilities or brand initiatives were on your radar when selecting new arrivals?
“The world has finally opened up, and we know our clients are wanting to look better than ever. Heading into summer, lightweight sports jackets and chinos are still a welcome break from traditional suiting. Worn with a shirt or even t-shirt (from Lardini or Luciano Barbera, perhaps) and you have yourself a mainstay warm-weather look,” Rob says.
Over to the shoe-drobe, Harrolds has significantly refreshed and modernised its offering with new sportswear brands (Salomon, Adidas and Nike) while retaining depth in key silhouettes like the Amiri ‘skeleton’ and ‘stadium low’, Valentino ‘One Stud’ and Alexander McQueen’s platform sneakers. Lanvin also makes a momentous comeback with their latest ‘Curb’ sneaker.
What do you think are some of the most-hyped arrivals in this buy?
“After the success of Lanvin’s first collaboration with Gallery Department we are very exciting to launch the second collection in February exclusively to Harrolds man and woman. The collection is as series of Lanvin staples splashing a denim jacket, patchwork shirt, hoodies and t-shirts with expressionist paint daubs branded Gallery Dept. Thomas refers to this as ‘art on display’. We are also very excited to bring back Rhude into are ever growing assortment of luxury streetwear labels, the brand sits perfectly alongside Amiri and Fear of God. As well has the brands staple Rhude branded shorts and jersey, the collection features references to the Monaco Grand Prix through silk shirts, cardigans and bomber jackets.”
What accessories are at the very top of your wish list this summer for man?
“We are launching a limited range of Jacques Marie Mage eyewear that features 12 unique options, Harrolds is one of only 4 stores worldwide to carry the range. My personal favourite is the Ascari with custom tropic gradient lens”.
Some of the debut brands joining Harrolds’ contemporary menswear trove include Bianca Saunders and Marine Serre, in a bid to support new and emerging designers. The department of ‘Next Gen’ is the first of its kind at Harrolds, marking a progressive future for the longstanding luxury retailer.
Tell us a bit about a standout Next Gen designer joining Harrolds…
“Bianca Saunders comes fresh from her Andam Fashion Awards Grand Prize win and finalist in the LVMH prize. Bianca challenges tradition by proposing twists to succinct garments that span across streetwear and contemporary couture.”
“Another key addition to Harrolds’ stable is Marine Serre. After tenures working under Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen followed by time at Maison Margiela and Dior, Marine then became a junior designer at Balenciaga under Demna Gvasalia before starting her namesake label. Sustainability and regeneration are at the heart of everything Marine and her team do, repurposing deadstock fabrics, used clothing and hardware to make her motif-infused sportswear and hybrid fashion collections.”
On the legacy brand front, Riccardo Tisci appointment at Burberry has prompted a new wave of tailoring. His signature streetwear style has been fused with sharp tailoring, while the proportions of traditional Burberry check have been reimagined. The iconic Thomas bear also makes an appearance on new-arrival t-shirts and jerseys.
How is Harrolds leaning into broader sportswear dressing options?
The development of sportswear and more adrogynous dressing inventions are two cornerstone themes for Harrolds SS22 menswear buy-in. Australian design icon Dion Lee is all about prescription-free dressing, open to interpretation. It’s for that reason Dion’s works are now listed under ‘man’ and ‘woman’ at Harrolds.
“We have already started working with select Adidas collaborations, most recently their collaboration with US brand Midwest Kids. We will be introducing Salomon and other big hitting sportswear brands in the coming seasons,” says Rob.
“Dion Lee is having huge success with his genderless approach to designing and styling his collections, and we’re seeing this across multiple designers. Marine Serre and Vetements are also joining the cause.”
Shop, try-on and celebrate the new generation of menswear at Harrolds online and in-store now.
