Omar Kashoura Menswear Spring/Summer 2012

There is very little doubt that Omar Kashoura has deserved to be on the fashion radar over the last few years as one of the most promising menswear designers. As such, it came as no surprise that Kashoura’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection would be a confirmation of his talent from the moment the first models took to the runway during his show as part of Barcelona Fashion Week.

This is a collection inspired by the numerous cultural and historical manifestations of social liberation in the 1960s and 1970s, including the hippie subculture, music icons such as Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin, and events such as Woodstock festival. Starting from this inspiration, the overriding feel of the collection stems from notions of ease and comfort with the intention to create a relaxed elegance and a softer male silhouette.

Contrasting the hyper masculinity of New York’s gay subculture of the 1970s with the hippie movement, wide-fitting trousers and shorts are paired with fitted and sculpted T-shirts, shirts, and tailored jackets. Fabrics such as modern linen blend with viscose, and cottons are teamed with a multi-stripe colour cloth. Fitted knitwear is worn next to the skin and feature modern dropped stitch techniques.

As evident in previous Kashoura’s collections, shirts are ultra fine and loose fit, in lightweight plain and striped Italian cottons. Dropped shoulders are another key feature, combined with playful abstract prints developed from a photograph of light movement captured on a fairground ride. In addition, Kashoura also created ‘Love Store – Store Love’, an exclusive graphic print crafted in bronze and aqua tones, inspired by artist Bruce Nauman’s messages in neon signs in Pigalle, Paris.

When it comes to accessories, bags are crafted to emulate paper bags, and finished with leather trims, gold hardware, and zippers with ring pulls. A 1970s feel prevails with luxurious faux crocodile leather accessories and tab trims, and the elegant leather sandals stand out for their minimalist elegance and functionality.

Omar Kashoura graduated from the London College of Fashion in 2004 with first class honours for a highly acclaimed collection that secured the top prize of Best International Menswear Designer at New York’s Gen Art Style Awards in 2005. After graduation, Kashoura began his working career at London fashion house Preen before securing a consulting position at Unconditional. In 2006, he resumed his studies in fashion by enrolling in a Masters degree at Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design. Since graduating from this prestigious school, he has been developing his eponymous label into a highly reputed brand that has gained support from the Centre for Fashion Enterprise, has won the prestigious Deutsche Bank Pyramid Award in 2008, has been showing at London Fashion Week, and has been given a New Generation Designer award by the British Fashion Council.

In just a few years, Omar Kashoura’s work has become known for its use of luxurious fabrics, a modern approach to colour, and display of original finishing details such as trompe l’oeil jacket lapels or hidden zippers. His high work standards and strong attention to detail has made his work highly respected by the international press and fellow fashion designers. He has shown his collections in numerous countries across the world, and remains committed to establishing creative partnerships to develop new projects and events.