A number of big-name brands are making waves in the fashion world, with news that they will no longer show men and womenswear as separate shows. Burberry, Gucci and Public School are all among the brands making the change. The list now grows longer as Vivienne Westwood announced online that both the Men’s and Women’s Collections will be shown together at London Fashion Week in 2017.
Interestingly, Westwood’s first combined show will take place at Men’s Fashion Week, which brings more attention back to the often forgotten arena of male fashion. Front row staples will surely miss Westwood’s womenswear shows in September, during London’s 2017 Spring Fashion Week, but it can still be seen through private appointments and a look book.
The two lines, known as Red Label and MAN Label respectively, have been suitably re-named as the single Vivienne Westwood. The company stated on their blog that the “the decision follows the company’s wider strategy to simplify its line portfolio by unifying its mainline collections under a single brand umbrella.” This fits well with Westwood’s philosophy to “buy less, choose well” and to “reduce our company in size.” Showing earlier, in January, also allows buyers to gain “a clear vision for the season” ahead of the sales period.
‘Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood’, the brand’s unisex line will still be shown during Paris Ready-to-Wear on October 1. Keep and eye out for more Westwood news and the soon to be released book by Fashion Industry Broadcast: Masters of Fashion, Volume, 39 Renegades.
