Designer Focus: Christopher Shannon

With London named fashion capital of the world for the second year running earlier in 2012, it’s no surprise that the city plays host to a who’s who of emerging design talent. From the androgynous delights of J.W. Anderson to the bonkers but brilliant Sibling and Sister by Sibling, London (incase you didn’t get the memo) is where it’s at for truly cutting edge fashion.

Liverpudlian Christopher Shannon, like his fellow designers above, is a relative newcomer to the London fashion scene. Having won sponsorship from NEWGEN MEN for his AW10 collection, Shannon has steadily built up his namesake label, boasting the likes of Professor Green as a fan and frequent wearer of his designs. Although quoted as saying he’s “never too sure” who his ideal client is, Shannon’s increasingly strong aesthetic is sure to attract celebrity and non-celebrity fans alike.

You see unlike the J.W. Andersons and Siblings of the world, there is no doubt that Christopher Shannon menswear is very much made for the boys. Blending elements of sportswear, streetwear and tailoring, there is something in every Shannon collection to attract and excite all guys with a penchant for fashion.

Christopher Shannon At A Glance

AW10: Shannon’s first collection sponsored by NEWGEN MEN. An ode to the ski slopes; with ski boots, parkas and ski pants all making an appearance. The first glimpses of the Shannon signature style begin to emerge in the form of monochromatic paisley print and colour blocking.
SS11: Shannon appears to have taken inspiration from the tennis court and the trenches for his next collection. With all-white opening looks that wouldn’t go amiss at Wimbledon, it’s not long before we’re seeing print in the form of muted camouflage. Neutral colour blocking and kitsch fringing close the show on a whimsical high.
AW11: Shannon goes literal with autumn/winter in this very dark and sombre collection. With more refined silhouettes and stand-out pieces, customers are free to mix and match their favourite items for a slice of the Shannon aesthetic, while monochromatic print and colourful fabric fringing on shirts and jumpers steal the show.
SS12: ‘casual-cool’ seems to be the motto for this next show. Shirts, shorts, tracksuit bottoms and waterproof jackets all pay homage to the British summer. The mood is certainly lifting, but black and navy remain. Fun elements shine through in the form of tassel fringing and bursts of colour.
AW12: less sombre than autumn/winter ‘11 but still a very neutral palette, Shannon makes reference to his first collection with skiwear components and lots more monochrome. Colour blocking patterns put the Shannon stamp on this show, while prints make a welcome return.
SS13: perhaps his most tailored collection to date; Shannon allows the menswear staples of shirts, polo shirts and shorts to act as the base for his creative flair. With splashes of pink, purple, blue and red, it would seem Shannon is embracing colour this season. However, it’s the designer’s signatures of fabric fringing, colour blocking and stripes that take centre stage. Fun yet functional.