LC:M: House of Holland SS16 presentation

"Whenever I feel like I'm about to faint, I eat a cube of cheese."

My friend always makes a joke that the only reason the events I attend have catering is that I'm going to be there, and quite frankly, never has a more accurate statement been said. Entering the park of the palatial Selfridges department store; its historic legacy as a beacon of consumerism fills the air, yet, another scent lingers. Burgers. Sausage rolls. I feel like I've entered a Fish n' Chip store somewhere in Manchester. The single most attractive man I've ever seen, a waiter, hands me a pink drink, but I'd take any sort of liquid from him in my mouth. 

I'm strolling around the airy space, there's fast food, attractive men and fashion. Is it a dream? No, it's the House of Holland SS16 presentation, specially for his debut menswear collection.  

There's been a pattern recently of designers who have long committed themselves to womenswear swaying into the blossoming menswear market. Menswear is booming faster than Chris Pratt's career, and Henry Holland is hopping on this band wagon. British subcultures of the 60s - think teddy boys, ravers and buffalo kids - their cultures are deep-fat fried and spiced into sporty, technical fabrics and traditional tailoring styles Britain is known for. 

Slogan tees ('I JUST WANT TO ENJOY MYSELF') and geometric prints are sprinkled everywhere, topped off with side dishes of New Balance sneaks and Vans. Henry looks towards British culture by scoring sweatshirts and dress shirts with 'LAD LOVER LEGEND'. Henry thinks he's the Mayor of Banterbury, what an absolute ledge. Smashing into the menswear squad with electronic patterns processed on athletic jackets.

Carrying over the bold stylings of his womenswear, you find a tray of red tartan tees, monochrome zig-zagged shorts, and a clutch seeded with 'your banter is bullshit' leaving a salad across a pair of black trousers, creating a sort of chevron effect. 

The brand had stood strong to its playful, whimsical routes. The campaign, shot by famed photography Martin Parr, was framed around the Happy Mondays room. Shot in Holland's own Ramsbottom, its was fresh to see this odd little dichotomy of Henry looking to his own raw, organic routes for inspiration for a collection that perfect reflects the fast-food state of fashion at the moment. 

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A photo posted by Josh Milton □ (@applejosh23) on Jun 24, 2015 at 10:28am PDT

Having a casual chat with the Nicola Roberts about taking a photo of her phone taking a photo was pretty surreal. I was in the same room as Jim Chapman at some point, though, I didn't see him. My proposal will have to wait till next season. 

Overall, House of Holland's first order at the menswear restaurant will have 5 star ratings at Yelp! all round. Vivid colours, sporty silhouettes and mechanic tailoring was the recipe to a top quality collection from the Bantersarous Rex that is Henry Holland. 

Burt the real question is; did he go for a cheeky Nandos afterwards? 

What did you think of House of Holland's SS16 collection?