After taking a season out, London based designer Bobby Abley presented his Autumn-Winter 2019 on the first day of London Fashion Week Men’s, taking inspiration from his family and hometown of Scarborough, where he worked on the collection.
Known for his playful designs and his sense of humour, Abley revisits his childhood this season with a series of replicated balaclava helmets, scarves and baby blankets all hand knitted by his mother and relatives, incorporated within the collection as one-off pieces. The family team also created cardigans and jumpers in fluorescent colours – a palette which recurs throughout the collection.
The rest of the colours in the collection are inspired by Abley’s favourite characters from Pokémon, the Pocket Monsters: fiery oranges of Charmander, soft lilac of Mewtwo, powdery blues of Squirtle and the unmistakable sunny yellow of Pikachu. These hues appear vividly throughout the collection, as repeat motifs along with the characters themselves. The Poké Ball is interpreted as a technical poncho, oversized polo shirt, backpack and cross-body bag, whilst Pokémon-inspired football kits return in acid neon. Cowboy hats and western-cut denim jackets add a nostalgic boyish feel while the looks are teamed with Dr. Martenes footwear.
Abley’s signature sportswear-inspired fabrics feature heavily in the collection, with the addition of corduroy wide-cut trousers, white vinyl cut in to jogging bottoms, and a blanket tracksuit with appliquéd leather lettering spelling out ‘Whatever Forever’ – the wording of one of the designers many tattoos.
A nod to one of Ably’s constant inspirations – singer Christina Aguilera also appears this season in a boxy leather jacket and trousers inspired by her look from her Stripped and Bionic albums.
A select edition of pieces is available to purchase from www.bobbyabley.co.uk
Images courtesy of IPR LONDON
