​LCM opens as UK menswear market reaches new high

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jun 13, 2016

Friday marked the official opening of London Collections Men, the biannual menswear showcase with both UK and international brands and designers presenting their latest collections.

At the launch event, the British Fashion Council revealed its new Value of Fashion report, which found that the men’s clothing market grew by 4.1% in 2015 to reach £14.1billion. Menswear now accounts for 25% of the total clothing market in the UK, according to Mintel.

Ed Vaizey, UK Culture Minister said: “The creative industries are one of the UK’s greatest success stories, contributing almost £9 million per hour to our economy. UK fashion plays a key role in that success, with the unique spirit and energy of the industry capturing the attention of the world. From high street to haute couture, our thriving fashion industry continues to make its mark.” 

The fashion industry directly contributed £28 billion to the UK economy in 2015, according to the report Value of Fashion Oxford Economics 2016.  880,000 people are now employed by the fashion industry in roles varying from manufacturing to retail.

LCM Chairman Dylan Jones commented: “London continues to confirm its place as the home of menswear, a hub of creativity showing the very best designers to a global audience. The menswear market showing in London incorporates not only internationally acclaimed brands but also luxury tailoring and emerging talent. This array of designers makes London one of the most exciting fashion cities in the world.”

This season, London Collections Men spans across 32 catwalk shows, 25 presentations, 5 designers in the Designer Showrooms, 5 digital presentations and 21 brands hosting events.

The main venue for the event is a landmark Brutalist building at 180 Strand, which houses the main BFC Catwalk Show Space on the ground floor and the BFC Presentation Space and Designer Showroom on the first floor.

43 countries will be represented at LCM by international press and buyers.

The event runs from June 10- 13.