Talent incubator Fashion East announced its new menswear designer line-up to receive support and showcase as part of its menswear scheme in January 2019.
Stefan Cooke returns for his third season of support and is joined by two newcomers, Mowalola by British-Nigerian Central Saint Martin’s graduate Mowalola Ogunlesi and Robyn Lynch – born in Dublin and a graduate of the University of Westminster Masters course. The three emerging menswear brands will present their new Fall/Winter 2019 collections in a group catwalk show in January during London Fashion Week Men’s.
Lulu Kennedy, Director of Fashion East, comments: “The power and simplicity of both Mowalola and Robyn’s singular visions hit me right away at their graduate shows. Theirs is a fabulously concise exercise in storytelling and editing – untroubled by the usual rules and regs – which doesn’t mean their lines don’t have commercial appeal; they’re already being worn. And just as we have proudly watched Stefan’s highly crafted runway collections land straight into top international stores, we have great ambitions for our new female additions to the line-up.”
MOWALOLA
Mowalola, by Nigerian-born and London-based Mowalola Ogunlesi, showcases menswear as you rarely see it: sexy and unhindered by stereotypes. Since graduating from the Central Saint Martins’ fashion print course in 2017 the industry stood up, took notice, and immediately wanted to know more about this young designer, who describes her approach to design as ‘a celebration of the black African male: his culture, sexuality and desires’ and of pan-African masculinity. Mowalola’s graduate collection “Psychedelic” paid homage to Nigerian psychedelic music and the city’s petrol heads of Lagos with seductive leather garments dappled with paint. Collaborative projects include working with Skepta on costumes for his music video Pure Water, a Nike commission to create and style outfits for Nigeria’s World Cup team, Solange Knowles amongst others have worn the collection, and Ogunlesi has created a film for SHOWstudio.com titled ‘Kilon Shele Gan Gan’. AW19 is her London Fashion Week debut with the support of Fashion East.
ROBYN LYNCH
Dublin-born and London-based menswear designer Robyn Lynch, founded her brand since graduating from the Menswear MA at the University of Westminster in June 2018. Lynch has worked with Phoebe English and Cottweiler alongside her studies in London and previously studied Printed Textiles at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. Lynch uses her Irish upbringing and culture as the base of the brand’s ethos and inspiration, paying tribute to her roots with the youthful style of silhouette and traditional Irish cable knits. AW19 will be Robyn Lynch’s debut showcasing with Fashion East’s support.
STEFAN COOKE
London-based brand Stefan Cooke is directed by Cooke and his partner Jake Burt. The combination of Cooke’s subversion of textile techniques and Burt’s skill for silhouette and design underpins the signature style of the pairs’ forthcoming looks. Technique is at the heart of the process for their work and continues to be a force of innovation. The duo launched the brand after Cooke was awarded the H&M Design Award 2018 following his Masters at Central Saint Martins which was met with critical acclaim and saw him named as the joint recipient of the L’Oreal Professionnel Creative Award at London Fashion Week February 2017. The pair debuted with Fashion East’s support in January 2018 and the next show will be the third as part of the menswear programme. Stefan Cooke Spring Summer 2019 will be available to buy from stockists including: Dover Street Market (London, Tokyo and NY), Machine A (London), Matchesfashion.com, Joyce (Hong Kong), Opening Ceremony (NY, LA and Japan), À Rebours, Lafayette Anticipations (Paris) and more.
