Mr Start Menswear Spring/Summer 2013

Very few menswear brands invested so much towards their exposure during London Men’s Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2013 collections as Mr Start. In addition to taking over an exclusive and prominent room to exhibit its past and present collections, after years of exhibiting small displays, the label organised its first ever runway show during London Fashion Week.

The decision to invest in the exposure of the label in 2012 was momentous, as 2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Start brand. Philip and Brix Smith Start started their eponymous brand ‘Start’ in London’s Shoreditch in 2002. Initially, the couple’s original store comprised both men’s and women’s wear with an emphasis on jeans. In 2004, the womenswear range gained its own premises across the street and in 2008 Philip set up his own men’s formalwear label, Mr Start. Specialising in tailored suits, Mr Start now occupies its own store neighbouring the womenswear Start store and has a representation of shirts and ties in London’s department store Selfridges.

For Spring/Summer 2013 Mr Start presented a collection of traditional and sombre menswear that comprised some relaxed garments such as short-sleeved polo shirts with woven collars. Casual granddad collar shirts were mixed with formal suits in double or single-breasted one and two-buttoned versions. Fabrics included thin, breathable wools and beautifully engineered cottons that were easily mistaken for elegant crisp wool fabrics. An elegant raincoat in a beautiful shade of rust by Private White VC and stunning bags by Jas MB were stylish complements to a collection that played it safe and yet stylish.