Pictured Left to Right: Asger Juel Larsen, James Long; J.W. Anderson, Lina Österman and Todd Lynn

If anything, this year proved that London is a hotbed of emerging talent. From the much buzzed debut of Asger Juel Larsen to J.W. Anderson’s enchanting collections or stories for a better term, London’s designers are busy at work carving out a niche for themselves as a new generation of visionaries. Not afraid to break outside the mold and push forward with a well-defined concept, designers like James Long toyed with the idea of his man as a soldier while Lina Österman brought a certain gentle quality to her brooding character. Meanwhile, much like his contemporaries, Todd Lynn turned tradition on its side, moving suiting towards a more romantic approach. Altogether, these designers help earn London a more focused eye going into 2010 in anticipation of only greater things to come.

On the runway, James Long’s supporting cast brought their game face, but behind the scenes, the boyish lot look more like the lost boys–absolutely infectious!

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James Long is shaping up to be quite the visionary. Last season, the designer took us on an imagined journey that would definitely span a great book or two. Dramatic hoods and knits with incredible detailing caught the decadent eye. This season however, it’s all about war. Citing “acid rain, corrosion copper and camouflage” as this season’s inspiration, Long bravely treads a path long traveled. Countless designers have attempted to reinterpret camouflage in a way that is fresh and above all stylish, but few have succeeded as well as Long. Hitting the trenches, Long’s warrior is on the cusp of tomorrow’s fashion. Surprisingly, lamé gold and green make a fashion taboo enticing. Paired with sleek leather and often replicating burned out patterns, Long’s take on camouflage is brilliant. In addition to his foray into the bold side of fashion, Long continues to strike a charming chord with his deconstructed black knits that create their very own camouflage. Overall, the collection definitely has its racy segments not suited for the fashionably shy, but with the great balance supported by the season’s leather pieces, Long has created one of the season’s most memorable collections.

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It’s always nice to receive emails with comments about the site, but this week, something new happened. Inspired by James Long’s fall collection entitled “Talismanic Brotherhood”, Sean McGirr, a reader and contributor to Dazed Digital’s newsletter felt compelled to share a piece he wrote after buying one of this season’s knits.

London-based menswear designer James Long is approaching this season with a continuation of his signature theme on protection. The garments complement one another in blood-red patent leather and more muted tones inspired by Buffalo Bill. A somber but stark beauty lies in colour references to the Silence of the Lambs and the Shining. As always each look is body-conscious, whilst the outfits non-specifically explore different ideals with which lie in protectionism, this season being that of the talismanic.

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James Long’s most recent collection manages to make beige an inviting color.  Utilizing earth tones and variants of a deep red, Long’s collection of intricate details evoke a journey of epic proportions.  Sequins, fur, leather, and sherling are an unlikely combination, but lend themselves to a collection that conceals its richness with innovative design.  Tattered sweaters, hints of paisley, turtlenecks, and hooded pieces indicate moments of the past, yet provide this collection its appeal and modern zest.  Accolades are due to Long for creating a collection that masterfully blends avant-garde with ready-to-wear.

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