Award-winning designer Hed Mayner has built quite a reputation for his experimental approach to fashion, and his latest menswear collection pushes the boat out even further. At the ss24 show, featuring his second collaboration with Reebok, we saw Mayner reinvent wardrobe staples by giving them structural makeovers that see silhouettes take on exciting new forms. Cue some warping, layering, and inverting.
From super snug to extremely oversized, nothing is off-limits. Just like last season, Mayner reworks a collection of classics, but this time starts with what he fondly refers to as ‘boring clothes.’ These include a suit, chinos, a cotton poplin shirt, and a jumper — perhaps slightly unremarkable, yet familiar to everyday life.
Mayner has hopped onto the upcycling bandwagon but in his unique, couture-esque way. You may notice details in unconventional places, for example, shirt cuffs on the bottom of trousers or back pockets moved to the front. Jackets and shirts of different sizes stitched together might make you do a double take and reflect on how clothing can hang off the body. Special mention goes his take on the Reebok BB 5600s- the high tops go under the knife for a raw, deconstructed look. With both an off-white and a rugged, paint splattered version, both give off hip-hop meets rebel punk vibes.
The collection verges on art at times — just look at his sculpture-like trousers and shirts that change and hold their shape. An inner foil coating makes them malleable, so you can essentially sculpt them through pinching and bending, and as they mold naturally, you’ll get a visual memory of your body and movements.
Mayner’s love for oversized isn't going anywhere, and thank god, because his nonchalant suits and outerwear are hitting the spot for us. Other features of note are utility jackets with pockets so huge that suitcases become redundant and a long sleeve top with hidden pockets that you can fit at least 5 iPhones into. The materials in the collection are all the best of British, ensuring that comfort factor you would want from your everyday staples. The looks are finished off with hand-crafted pressed slippers and suede ankle boots, made in partnership with Quoddy.
If you’re a classic dresser but also love to mix things up, then you can find some great statement pieces from Mayner this season.
Check out more from the collection here.
