Our LFW coverage wraps up today with the last few shows, and in the battle of the off-schedule highlights, Sir Tom Baker's vibrant camp-as-Christmas On|Off menswear show in the basement of the legendary 100 Club was my personal winner. With punk, pimps, mobsters and Velvet Goldmine looking like his inspiration, the Hardy-Amies trained tailor (motto- "speak when you're bespoke to") delivered a blinder of a show. Interestingly, along with the usual Baker hunks there featured a rather unusual model in the form of milliner Stephen Jones whose stunning top hats and trilbies added the finishing touches to the outfits.
The first model to dance, gyrate and swagger down the ruler-inspired runway was resplendent in red sequined jacket, black trousers, "F*ck you" t-shirt, silver glasses, red patent Cuban heels courtesy of Terry de Havilland (sitting in the front row) and carried a diamante pimp cane.
Baker produced a seemingly endless collection of impeccably cut lamé jackets and trousers in sweet-wrapper metallics, animal prints as well as Doherty-esque skinny silhouette plain black suit. Punk inspired safety pins made an appearance, as did a black jacket complete with skeleton hand on pocket- very Nightmare Before Christmas. Fabric wise think all out glamour- satins, silks and sequins.
Great moments included:
1) Nat Weller (son of the original Modfather, Paul) modelling a goth-chic morning coat with skull emblem on the back and switchblade on the front pocket.
2) When a model wearing a white suit with leopard print panel pranced down the catwalk with a sword and knighted a person on the front row.
3) Band the Sons of Albion rocking out straight after.
Thank you Sir Tom for a brilliant show!
[images: Leigh Keily]