Bring back the 70s. Ponchos, shearling coats and kick flares were a few highlights among the 'Bombay City Rollers' themed collection TOPMAN Design showed earlier this month at LC:M. Models strutted their way along the catwalk along with David Essex's track "Rock On". 

The TOPMAN design man is quite different from the TOPMAN man. As a premium line of TOPMAN that is designed biannually for LC:M, there's no time to be shy of bold themes and unique styles. Rather than just rock, TOPMAN wanted glam rock. The yellow tartan invitation came with a wristband similar to those in festivals. It would seem likely that TOPMAN has decided to show a festival-themed catwalk. But I, and I'm sure many, was so wrong. It was full-on cowboy star-studded jackets, jeans that had oversized turn ups above the ankle, and classic, retro white sneakers; cropped bomber jackets that, unlike the plain ones found in TOPMAN, had loud graphic prints on the back. Maintaing the 'Far Eastern Psychedelia' theme, ombre mohair floor-length 'carpet' coats, tartan patchwork and bowling shoes with lightning bolts were all inspirations from the 70s, following the SS15 collection last season. Topman Design Creative Director, Gordon Richardson altered several fittings of chalk striped suits; incorporating peak lapels and changing the amount of buttons. He stated his disapproval for normcore, renewed 70s fittings to suit the modern crowd and believed flare jeans, even though it would take a long period of time, has the potential of a comeback. 

[I've been busy with good excuses - attending shows at London and Paris, so stay tuned for more. A lot more.]

To be continued…#tbc