Menswear label Qasimi Homme presented ‘Crux’, a capsule collection of eight looks during London Collections: Men for Autumn/Winter 2013 as a preview of his runway show scheduled to take place during Paris Men’s Fashion Week. The standing presentation occurred in four timed slots that had attendees patiently waiting in line for what ended up being one of the most exciting and promising collections during the London menswear showcase in January 2013.
Originally from Sharjah in United Arab Emirates, Khalid Al Qasimi moved to London when he was nine years old. He ended up reading Hispanic Studies and French Literature at University College London, followed by Architecture at the Architectural Association, before studying Fashion at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. In 2008, he founded his eponymous brand Qasimi with a focus on womenswear (although he included a few menswear pieces) and showed during London Fashion Week. In June 2009, he showed the inaugural collection for his menswear label Qasimi Homme during the official schedule for Paris Men’s Fashion Week and decided to put his womenswear line on hold.
Drawing on inspiration from film noir and expressionism, Qasimi Homme collection for Autumn/Winter 2013 focussed on updating traditional menswear classics, such as cropped bomber jackets, and military and Parka coats by incorporating oversized drop shoulders and blending different fabrics in their construction. Trousers ranged from the oversized with wide legs to slim-fit tailored styles, whereas knitwear came in fine gauge textures. Detailing was central to the collection with the introduction of contrast leather and detachable pony collars on shirting alongside accessories including leather and wool panelled gloves. Luxurious fabrics included shearling, sheepskin, silk jacquards and paper leather across a palette of black and dark emerald hues and geometric prints inspired by designs from the 1950s and 60s.
Ultimately, this was an exceedingly elegant collection that had viewers fervently wishing for Qasimi to abscond from Paris and show his polished collections in full during future editions of London Collections: Men.
