Men's retail entering new territory

With the menswear industry suddenly in boom and the launch of the sole menswear fashion week, London Collections, a resounding success, retailers have seized on the new breed of style savvy men taking an interest in modern,

designer clothing.

Firstly Selfridges have just unveiled a 10,000 square feet space dedicated solely to men’s designer shoes to challenge their women’s footwear department, which launched to acclaim a couple of years ago. Working across all ranges from high street price points to premium and with more than 3,000 styles to choose from, its heralding in new times for menswear and encouraging new ways for men to purchase their apparel.

Not only has the area been designed by a leading Belgian architect to specifically achieve a modern yet avant-garde atmosphere, appealing to an ever more discerning male luxury consumer. "It's an incredibly exciting time," says David Walker-Smith, director of menswear for Selfridges. "The introduction of London Collections [men's fashion week] has been an important step forward for the industry and shines a spotlight on British fashion."

Beyond the department store, elsewhere famed cobbler, Christian Louboutin, has also set up his first men’s only boutique, located in Central London, whilst the relatively recent launch of menswear online retailer stroke magazine, Mr Porter, has seen men demanding all sorts of fashion looks straight from the catwalk. It’s a huge evolvement in men’s fashion, where previously male consumers just looked for classic, simple pieces but now want something fashionable and on trend, braver in their choices due to stronger style guidance and direction from the web and instore personal style service.

Whilst many of the leading designers are reinvesting capital into their menswear business, opening new flagships in key central London locations, and the heritage of Savile Row has seen a resurgence with modern day, young tailors entering the once, ‘closed door’ suit market.

It only looks to keep developing.