Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY Spring/Summer 2018 Menswear Review

     Is Charles Jeffrey Loverboy’s first independent collection worthy of praise? On one end of the reception spectrum, you have the people who say that Jeffrey isn’t creating a new fashion. His references, like the club culture of London, John Galliano’s work for Dior, and Neo Naturism, all center around the aesthetics of the past. Are his references too literal that it makes his work instantly dated? Or is the way in which he styles his creations that makes it relevant and now? If the latter is the case, Charles Jeffrey would only really be a stylist, creating costumes and expressions of dress, rather than actually constructing any new types of garment.

     On the other end of the reception spectrum, you have the people who adore Charles Jeffrey’s clothes. Escapism in fashion is something that is desperately craved in these troubling times, especially around the Trump/Brexit struggles affecting the Western world. And there is no doubt that these clothes are joyful and colorful rejections of conservative opinions. The fluorescent pinks, blues, and yellows lightened the mood, while wide silhouettes created fun and drama. So many different characters from different periods, like Elizabethan courtiers and 1970’s disco queens all allowed for an array of purely British personality.

     But is there a customer base that is going to be able to support this business? Young British talent is always exciting, but when there’s unforgiving freedom through clothes, how does a brand find a large enough customer base who can comfortably afford the high-prices of conceptual luxury goods? Hopefully Charles Jeffrey isn’t just making clothes for the two-dimensional images that grace our Instagram feeds. Unfortunately, it is a real possibility in this uncertain digital age. Charles Jeffrey Loverboy is thankfully young. This first independent show was something to think about and as consumers of fashion we’ll see how the tactics continue for this peacocking menswear brand.

Photo Credits: VogueRunway.com