BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Menswear
Initially drawing upon the mood conjured by Patti Smith in her Cover of the 1991 Nirvana song â Smells Like Teen Spiritâ, inspiration for Millie Cocktonâs A/W 2013 menswear collection centres upon notions of youth and the tensions between adulthood and adolescence, as well as the inextricable links between music and subcultural identity. The collection explores ideas and elements of traditional menswear garments alongside references to iconic subcultural pieces- and fuses the two together. Conventional pieces are explored and reworked through clever detailing. Garments with detachable and transformable elements can be used to evolve the silhouette and add an unexpected twist to staple wardrobe pieces. Tailoring with military detailing, heavy webbing tapes, buckles and nylon jackets bring a harder edge, whilst oversized distressed cheesecloth teeâs and âkiltâ like shorts add a softer relaxed more âgrungeâ feel to the collection. Fine tailoring wool suiting and pinstripe cashmere run throughout, adding an element of luxury amidst the work wear pieces. A mainly black palette is punctuated with bold flashes of orange and white and mixed with muddied shades of greens and fawns. Bombers with built in backpacks provide a multi-functional element to the iconic MA-1 jacket whilst suit trousers with skirts bring a playful element. An emphasis on movement and rhythm play an integral part in the cut and detail of the garments as well as the overall development of the silhouette- drawing the collection back to its origin of inspiration â the garments come to life in motion.