Book Covers and Bruce Chatwin ... Burberry Prorsum SS2015 Menswear Collection

“As the young have discovered, the secret divinity of the twentieth century is Science. But Science is incapable of forming character. The more people talk of human sciences, the less effect human sciences have on man.”

Those were the words uttered by the late Bruce Chatwin – a prominent English novelist and travel writer, also the muse to Christopher Bailey for his Burberry Prorsum spring/summer 2015 menswear collection. 

A true adventurer who, in his life, had travelled to the many nooks and crannies of the earth, from one corner of a continent to another, throughout his life and his career in the literary world, Chatwin is admired for his spare, lapidary style and his innate story-telling abilities. 

He has been criticised for his fictionalised anecdotes of real people, places, and events. The people he wrote about sometimes recognised themselves and did not appreciate his distortions of their culture and behaviour. 

Chatwin was philosophical about what he saw as an unavoidable dilemma, arguing that his portrayals were not intended to be faithful representations.

Recently, taking cue from his works and the art of vintage book covers, Christopher Bailey presented the Burberry Prorsum spring/summer 2015 menswear collection entitled “Book Covers & Bruce Chatwin”. 

Presented on a lovely summer day, the show was attended by celebrities such as British musicians Tinie Tempah, Dan Gillespie Sells, George Craig and George Barnett, actors Tom Felton, Sam Reid, George MacKay, Joe Dempsie, Bolin Chen, Engin Hepileri and Raymond Lam, British model Jourdan Dunn, producer Mohammed Al Turki, and British presenters and DJs Greg James and Nick Grimshaw.

Prior to the show, guests were entertained by British musician Will Joseph Cook who played a live set, followed by another performance by Burberry Acoustic artist Josh Record after the show. 

The show unveiled as guests took their seats, starting with a live piano performance of British artist Benjamin Clementine. 

According to Bailey, Clementine is a poet whose lyrics are incredibly powerful and thought provoking, together with his innate style brings so much to the show.

 
“He is a rare and real talent and we are honoured to have had him performing live today,” Bailey added.

In between Clementine’s live rendition, models walked on the runway in pieces that are splashed in dusty colours and weathered tones of orange red, light copper, storm blue and saffron yellow. 

English-woven gabardine sourced from the Burberry Mill, selvedge denim, linen, double cashmere, cotton velvet and nubuck made the bulk of materials used to craft out the season’s must haves such as trench coats, under tailored denim jackets, English duffle coats, lean Chesterfields and cabans. Also used in the collection are cashmere fabrics of different permutations – seersucker and the lightweight double. 

The trousers are tailored straight and tinted in jewel toned hues with a few spotting suede textures while felt hats, prominently shown throughout the show, are floppy and laidback. T-shirts – always a menswear staple – are adorned with colourful book cover prints with wide round necks.  

As spring and summer are always about being chilled and relaxed, neon-hued and printed trainers known as Burberry Field sneakers, play major highlight for the upcoming Burberry menswear spring/summer collection, alongside classic leather brogues.

High on every Burberry fan wish list is the book cover printed accessories such as the Burberry Travel Satchels, the Burberry Everyday Satchel and leather notebooks. Even the long scarves too are doused in book cover prints, making them standout accoutrements to complement even the plainest shirt and trousers ensemble. 

There are also oversized satchels in bright colours with ample space for you to throw in your essentials before you set out for another Bruce Chatwin-inspired journey.

The Burberry Prorsum spring/summer 2015 menswear collection will be available at all Burberry stores worldwide early next year. 

*Photos courtesy of Burberry

Burberry - Lot G43B/C Ground Floor, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur; Lot 2.16 & 3.18, Pavilion KL No. 168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur; Lot G222, Ground Floor, The Gardens Mall, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur.