Fourth edition of London Collections: Men kicks off

Today marks the official start of the fourth edition of London Collections: Men,

otherwise known as men's fashion week where over 130 designers will present their Autumn/Winter 2014 collections during a series of events and catwalk shows in three different venues across London from January 6 to 8.

The show schedule kicked off with a catwalk show at the Victoria House showcasing the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection from Lou Dalton. The designer graduated from the Royal College of Arts in London in 1998 and since launching her eponymous menswear line, her designs have been known for their signature aesthetics which combine refine tailoring with a touch of working-class classicism.  

Lou Dalton first designer to show at LC:M A/W 14

She was previously named one of the winners of the Newgen Men in June 2012, a collaborative initiative which uses LC:D as a showcasing platform for emerging British designers. This years Newgen Men winners include designers such as Agi & Sam, Astrid Andersen, Kit Neale and Matthew Miller.

Her show was followed by a static presentation from John Smedley and its A/W 14 knitwear collection for men. The brand is known for its quality knitwear and British heritage spanning 229 years. John Smedley has its roots in the Derbyshire countryside and its designs feature an mixture of unique colors and patterns.

After the presentation, Newgen Men winner Astrid Andersen took to the stage to show her bold A/W 14 collection. She graduated from the RCA in 2010 and her label has been growing ever since she was a finalist in Its Nine. Other shows and presentations occurring throughout the day include designers Lee Roach, Matthew Miller and Jonathan Saunders.

The designer showrooms at the Hospital Club also opened today, hosted by David Gandy. The Hospital Club showcases a number of ready-to-wear collections from an array of designers and is separated into 4 different categories; emerging, streetwear, contemporary and luxe basics designers. In addition to housing designer showrooms, the Hospital Club also hosted a series of seminars today, focusing on the needs of the UK's independent retailer community.

London Collections: Men is dedicated to showcasing and supporting the best of British men's fashion and emerging talent. FashionUnited's on-the-scene reporter will be covering a number of events, so be sure to check in for more exciting coverage of London Collections: Men.