Christopher Raeburn does sustainable sporty chic

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Jun 11, 2017

“Remade Reduce Recycle Raeburn” read the ribbons in the Christopher Raeburn collection, in London’s best expression of sustainable, and collaborative, chic. There were practically no celebrities in sight for London Fashion Week Men’s this season. At Raeburn, there were several chisel-jawed dandies, like male model David Gandy, who sat front row at this show along side a score of pretty ex-models. An image, that underlined how the menswear season in London continues to lose traction in terms of pulling power.

 
The collection, on the other hand, was an honest-to-God step forward in fashion terms. Raeburn took apart old nylon kites and reconstructed them as rain macs, anoraks and sporty tops, all done in the designer’s East London Remade studio.

Or he reworked German wind ponchos into contemporary parkas, and played with camouflage prints that included chocolate chip cookies.

No other citizens in Europe these days wear as much active sportswear ideas, and Raeburn is the great proponent of that trend. Albeit with the odd precious twist, like finishing organic cotton hoodies with grosgrain trim.
 
“Men’s and women’s together for a myriad of weather conditions: desert, win or scorching sun,” exclaimed the designer, the creative director of Victorinox.

 
He also partnered with footwear specialist Palladium to turn recycled rubber and recycled coated leather into advanced performance-style river running sneakers and mesh waterproof socks worthy of a Medieval page. And Raeburn hooked up with Avery Dennison for heat transfers and 3D raised silicon patches to brand his name all over the collection. Finally, a deal with Blackhorse Lane Ateliers led to gutsy denim cargo shorts.
 
Call in Fashion Networking – of which Raeburn is the reigning king.