The Topman Design show opened to, as Phoebe has quite rightly pointed out, I having uselessly forgotten, a soundtrack of seagulls, hinting at a possible seaside theme for Spring/Summer 17. A suspicion confirmed not only by the press release but also the clothes. And what of the clothes? Think Del Boy on the riviera. An English man on holiday in Spain. Benidorm in the Seventies. Think leisurewear in linen and towelling. Satin rodeo shirts in pastel colours embellished with beaded seaside motifs, ice cream cones and hearts, worn with high waisted trousers, sweatshirts that shout Margate, literally, from their chests to tiny short shorts, zip-up tracksuit tops and puffy hoodie things that, to use an extremely descriptive and not at all related analogy, are reminiscent of the Michelin man. If he was shrunk, that is. Oh, and no need for suntan lotion. A lightly singed face is the thing, apparently. Burn, baby, burn.
Photographs by Jason Lloyd-Evans
