Why Wax London’s new collection is at the top of our wishlist
The London-based menswear label has just launched an exclusive collaboration with Harris Tweed. Here’s everything you need to know
In menswear it pays to keep one eye on the past while moving things forward. There are certain classic items and brands – the Clarks desert boot, the Paul Smith suit to name but two – who are part of the very fabric of British menswear, and yet are still continually evolving.
A brand that has emerged more recently, but which has fully embraced this ethos is Wax London. The label is all about championing local craftsmanship and manufacturers, creating beautifully made and affordable clothes – a lot of which are made in their north-east London factory. And in its latest collection, it has teamed up with Harris Tweed to create a showstopping new coat. The perfect example of two UK brands – the new kid on the block and the venerable institution – collaborating to create something which pays tribute to tradition, while looking to the future.
‘Tradition and modernity meet in our latest partnership with Harris Tweed, a heritage brand we have all grown to love,’ says Tom Holmes, co-founder of Wax London. ‘The coming together of two very different brands has never felt so comfortable. Though founded centuries apart, our values of craftsmanship, quality and care remain the same.’
The two companies have together crafted a wonderfully thick and heavy double-breasted overcoat that promises to work well for every occasion. ‘We created a classic herringbone in a grey off-white colour, with tiny specs of orange running through it. It’s classic with a little twist – very much up our street,’ Tom explains.
In addition to the coat they are launching their pre-collection of outerwear, knitwear, shirts and trousers – all of which are exclusive to John Lewis & Partners.
‘As ever, the main focus of this collection is interesting fabrications, textures and working with quality cloth to enhance our designs,’ adds Tom.
When it comes to making clothes in the UK, the brand acknowledges the challenges as well as the hugely positive impact that it can have, not only on our environment, but also in championing the skilled men and women working in British factories.
‘It’s not realistic to make all of our clothes in England, however to make a selection of our outerwear here has a smaller impact on the environment,’ Tom says. ‘It’s special to us to have it made in England and we are happy to engage skilled workers in our own hometown.’
