For years we’ve all been drawn to the idea that Paris is the home of anything great fashion. But in the pass year, we’ve seen serious evidence that London is headed to change all that buzz. Last years London fashion week by British council alone saw over 5,000 visitors , 60 catwalk shows with top models and high end labels and brands and pulling in over £50 million.
On January 6th and 8th 2014, again we witnessed some more waves of the fashion storm sweeping across the capital with the London collections: men’s. A show which showcases the best of British AW14 menswear. The facts and figures officially released by GQ has the answer to what fashion holds in stock for London both for the economy, employment, lifestyle and the general outlook of London in the world ranking system. If you are not swayed by these figures, I wonder what else will.

Facts and figures as released by GQ the organisers of London collections – Men A/W 2014.
Over 130 designers participated at London Collections: Men AW14 in shows, presentations & events; Savile Row, MAN and Fashion East Collectives; and the Designer Showrooms.

There were 3 official venues used for London Collections: Men this season: The Hospital Club, The Old Sorting Office, and Victoria House, WC2.

International press and buyers from 37 countries attended the London Collections: Men in January 2014

The UK menswear market has grown by 12 per cent in the past five years and is worth £10.4bn. The market research group believes the market will maintain this growth and rise by 11 per cent between 2012 and 2017. (Source: mintel)

The showcase generates over £40million in UK and international media coverage value each season

The direct value of the UK fashion industry to the UK economy is £21 billion (source: BFC Value of Fashion Report 2010)

Fashion’s wider contribution to the economy in influencing spending in other industries is estimated to stand at over £37 billion (source: BFC Value of Fashion Report 2010)
The UK fashion industry is estimated to support 816,000 jobs and is the largest employer of all the creative industries. The sector also provides opportunities to minority groups to a greater extent than most other creative industries (source: BFC Value of Fashion Report 2010)

The UK fashion industry is similar in size to the food/beverages services and telecommunications industries and bigger than the wholesale and retail of automotives, sports activities, chemical manufacture and advertising/video sectors. (source: BFC Value of Fashion Report 2010)
Major export markets are USA, Japan, Russia, France, Italy, Middle East, Hong Kong and China.
The UK is renowned for having the best fashion colleges in the world.

London Collections: Men is supported by American Express; European Regional Development Fund; Fudge; GQ; The Great Britain Campaign; The Hospital Club; Lavazza Coffee; L’Oreal Paris Men Expert; The Mayor of London; Mercedes-Benz; MRPORTER.COM; Nyetimber; Radisson Blu Edwardian, London; Rightster; Swatch; TOPMAN; UK Trade and Investment; Vodafone and The Woolmark Company. Official Suppliers for AW14 include Fashion Monitor, Penhaligon’s, Q Vodka and Warsteiner.

London collections Men next major show comes in June and we are all in the know to keep you updated.

Image copyright of British fashion council.