Worried about not being bang on trend with all the latest styles this season? Fear not.
MM recently headed down to the The Avenue to take a look at the leading brands’ exclusive new offerings for Spring/Summer 2013.
Located just off Deansgate in the Spinningfields area, Manchester’s luxury quarter houses some of the world’s leading designers such as Emporio Armani, Mulberry, Ted Baker and Dolce & Gabbana.
Whether you’re flush with cash or not, these latest lines are sure to provide you with inspiration for the (hopefully) sun-drenched months ahead.
Emporio Armani
Italian fashion designer Georgio Armani has just one word in mind when it comes to his menswear this season – impeccable.
The embodiment of freshness and decorum, with a hint of aristocracy, the collection is targeted at the young man who values contemporary style and refined details.
Key colours to achieving the look include blues with touches of sandy beige and grey and an array of military greens.
Standout items include trench coats and caban jackets in classic fabrics – the perfect accompaniment to ankle-length pleated trousers, or for more adventurous dressers,1950s-inspired Bermuda shorts.
Neat and clean is the way forward for Armani women this season with the colour palette focusing on neutral tones with touches of gold, bronze and cinammon.
Traditional masculine suits with soft lines are popular as formal daywear whereas fluid knitwear is the order of the day for a more relaxed day-time look.
L.K.Bennett
A favourite with Kate Middleton, L.K Bennett have also returned to their British roots with their Spring/Summer collection featuring relaxed tailoring and modern classic pieces.
But there is also a focus on the Bauhaus movement, with a real emphasis on colour-blocking and the use of simple yet sophisticated silhouettes.
Brooks Brothers
Famous for sticking rigidly to their roots, American brand Brooks Brothers offers an array of preppy casual styles and American traditions.
Having suited and booted the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire in The Great Gatsby their style is sure to be a hit this summer.
The main theme for the season is nautical, drawing inspiration from the 1950s sailing regattas with a classic palette of red, ivory and navy infused with royal blue.
Mulberry
Think 1970s English countryside if you want to get the Mulberry look this season.
With a real focus on their British heritage origins, the collection is heavily inspired by the nostalgia of the decade, with a laid-back ethereal California girl vibe thrown in for good measure.
Luscious fresh sorbet colours combined with biscuit browns and blacks hark back to memories of hazy summers.
Flannels
Home to contemporary fashion designers, Flannels offers a wide range of styles for this season.
Elegant floral prints and muted shades are used frequently throughout the collection, in stark contrast to the bold acid sorbets featured on vintage-style cropped trosuers.
Stylish gents have the opportunity to sport a Don Draper-style suits or opt for the sophisticated and technically advanced casual wear range – including fast-drying swimshorts and colour-changing waterproofs.
Oliver Sweeney
If it’s stylish shoes you’re after, then look no further than Oliver Sweeney.
Focusing on lighter summer shades, fresher tones and simple patterns the collection showcases a plethora of colourful casuals and formals in suede and leather.
The classics are all still there – the quintessentially British monk shoe and the sophisticated boat shoe.
But they’ve also brought in the more laidback summer look in the form of espadrilles and sandals.
Not afraid to branch out, they also offer a range of unique Oliver Sweeney accessories such as sunglasses, belts, ties and other accessories.
Ted Baker Pashion
Manchester fashionistas are in for a treat with this season’s collection.
Spinningfield’s Ted Baker Pashion boutique is the only store outside the capital – here traditional trends are given a contemporary twist with the use of bright, bold colours and elegant silhouettes.
Rapidly becoming one of the Britain’s favourite unique evening wear brands, the new Langley and Phormal collections have also been added.
All Saints
Tucked away in The Avenue, this All Saints shop goes for a more unique boutique-style look compared with its other high street counterparts.
This season it’s all about the polished but broken-up impression with edgy finishes, punctuated with blacks and neutral colours.
Jackets layered over summer dresses make the range both pretty and practical.
Whatever your style, whether you prefer tailored classics or long for something a little more adventurous, The Avenue has something for you.
Pictures courtesy of Pete Sheppard at Tone Photographer / Echo PR, with thanks
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