Fashion East and TOPMAN are pleased to announce two new designers who will receive their support and showcase at MAN, their joint emerging talent platform at London Collections Men in June. Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY will return for his second season and will be joined by newcomers Feng Chen Wang and Per Götesson.
Fashion East director Lulu Kennedy says “I am properly delighted about June’s MAN – our really exciting new names will join Charles Jeffrey who’s back from his brilliantly buzzy debut with us last season! We’re also adding an element of presentation into the runway event, which I’m really into!”
Gordon Richardson, TOPMAN Creative Director: “Following on from last season’s exceptional MAN line-up, this season delivers on talent yet again. I can’t wait to see what Charles Jeffrey comes back with and am excited to see what newcomers Feng Chen Wang and Per Götesson add to the MAN mix.”
The trio of designers will show their Spring Summer 2017 collections in a group show on Friday 10th June in London at the TOPMAN showspace. In addition to showcasing opportunities, designers also receive financial sponsorship, expert business mentoring, a place in a top international sales showroom in Paris, and more behind the scenes support. The designers are selected by the project’s industry panel and follow in the footsteps of MAN designer alumni including Kim Jones, J.W. Anderson, Christopher Shannon, Astrid Andersen, Craig Green, Liam Hodges and Wales Bonner.
About the Designers
Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY
Charles Jeffrey is a Central St Martin’s MA graduate, illustrator and radical creative. The Scot launched at Fashion East’s presentations in 2015 before his runway debut at MAN last January where he took over the catwalk with his LOVERBOY world. His cast of artists, musicians and friends stomped past Gary Card’s huge moving sculptures recreating the vibe of Jeffrey’s cult clubnight LOVERBOY at VF Dalston. Don’t be fooled though, Jeffrey presented serious clobber too – his love of tailoring permeated the line up - from ‘drunk’ tailored suits to a puckered ‘nervous’ jacket showing off meticulous darting. Signature Aran knits collaged with electrical tape came worn with paint smeared jeans, all intertwined with impressive tailoring and giant goth boots from New Rock. Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY will be available soon from stores including Dover Street Market (London, New York City & Tokyo), JOYCE (Hong Kong) and VFILES (New York). SS17 will be 25 year old Jeffrey’s second show with MAN.
Website:
charlesjeffrey.net
Instagram:
@_charlesjeffrey
Feng Chen Wang
Feng Chen Wang is the London based brand of Beijing-born designer Fengchen Wang. Wang completed a Masters at London’s Royal College of Arts before launching her brand in 2015. She focuses her aesthetic on combining function with an astute attention to detail and strong focus on outerwear pieces. Feng presented her AW16 ‘I am a Man’ collection during New York Fashion Week and was one of 23 designers shortlisted for the prestigious LVMH Prize 2016. Her collections are available to buy internationally from stores including Lane Crawford (Shanghai), D-MOP (Hong Kong), GR8 (Tokyo) and Vfiles (New York City). SS17 is Feng’s debut as part of MAN.
Website:
fengchengwang.com
Instagram:
@fengchenwang
Per Götesson
Newcomer Per Götesson is from a small town in the province of Småland in Sweden. He’s currently studying for his MA in menswear at London’s Royal College of Arts and will be graduating in June shortly before his London Collections Men debut at MAN. Per’s DIY approach to menswear is inspired by real-life function and needs: “I like normal things, because they are more valid socially than wearing abstract sculptures – I just want the guy I’m dressing to feel great.” One of his recent projects is called ‘poetical functions’ and includes pockets built into garments to hide bottles of wine on the bus. Per is also working with key chains and big key rings as functional jewellery. Fashion East and TOPMAN are proud to present Per’s debut in June.
Website:
pergotesson.com
Instagram:
@pergotesson
About MAN
The pioneering MAN initiative was launched in 2005 by Fashion East and TOPMAN as the first support scheme for new menswear design talent. Starting with a place on London’s womenswear schedule, by 2009 MAN began London’s first menswear day of shows before paving the way for the launch of London Collections Men in June 2012.
MAN is proud to have supported and launched designers and brands including: Kim Jones, JW Anderson, Aitor Throup, Christopher Shannon, James Long, Cassette Playa, Katie Eary, Martine Rose, New Power Studio, Matthew Miller, Shaun Samson, Agi & Sam, Astrid Andersen, Craig Green, Bobby Abley , Liam Hodges and more.
MAN recipients are selected by a panel of industry experts including: Andrew Davis, Wonderland Magazine; Ben Reardon, Man About Town; Charlie Porter, Financial Times; Gordon Richardson, TOPMAN; Luke Day, GQ Style; Lulu Kennedy, Fashion East; Sam Lobban, Mr Porter; Tim Blanks, Business of Fashion.
About Fashion East
Fashion East is a non-profit initiative established in 2000 by Lulu Kennedy and The Old Truman Brewery to nurture, develop and showcase emerging designers. Fashion East is integral to London’s reputation for young talent, having kick-started the careers of some of the UK’s top design talent across womenswear and menswear.
About TOPMAN
TOPMAN is a staunch supporter of UK menswear design talent through its own MAN partnership with Fashion East and sponsorship of the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN MEN scheme. More than 30 designers have received sponsorship and showcasing opportunities and with the MAN scheme in particular.
MAN show ticket requests & enquiries:
man.london@starworksgroup.com
sophie.jewes@starworksgroup.com
+44 (0) 20 7318 0400
FASHION EAST enquiries:
Natasha Booth, Fashion East
natasha@fashioneast.co.uk
TOPMAN press enquiries:
Alex Baker, TOPMAN
alex.baker@topmancom