British millinery goes new wave

J Smith Esquire leads the revolution

Quintessentially British: avant-garde, creative and unmistakably eccentric. An appropriate précis of emerging supertalent, J Smith Esquire, who is spearheading the new wave in British millinery. The fashionistas amongst you will no doubt know hats are back, in a very big way. Amidst the purists, they never left.

No amount of rain or financial ruin will ever dampen British creativity. Undeniably this makes it easier to comprehend why so many of us are actually proud to be British. Heritage combined with pure creativity (and a little stoicism) make the British art/design/fashion scenes a unified industry which inspires, intoxicates and continually seeks reinvention or revolution. With the likes of Justin Smith progressing through the ranks, there is a sense of calm, safe in the knowledge that Britain will continue to hold its place on the cutting edge of fashion.

“Sometimes I wear strawberry tarts or birds on my head, you should see my apartment” - Elke Koska

Justin Smith’s new collection for A/W 2009 premiered as an installation at ON|OFF, The Royal Academy Of Arts on February 21, 2009.

“Three” is a safari through a strange new country. Journey through a menagerie of eccentric human characters and exotic animals, all wild and free in their natural habitat. A new collection made from unwashed denim with leather and sherpa trimmings, all designed to age and fade beautifully. Sculptural, un-washed luxuries from the wilderness.

True to form, Justin put on an awe inspiring show, albeit slightly surreal. Everywhere we looked fashionistas had their ears pinned to the mannequins which appeared to talking – yes, really! Whilst warning signs requested that you “please refrain from feeding or touching the animals”. We caught up with Justin after the show who reassured us the ram’s horns are fully removable; to permit walking through doorways with greater ease. Justin Smith, part gentleman part mad hatter; charismatic, eccentric yet unequivocally down-to-earth. Let the revolution begin.

J Smith Esquire is available online at Strawberry and Cream. “Three” will premiere in late Autumn’09. Justin’s previous collections Dance with Me and Kaleidoscope are in store now.