The new Belstaff A/W 2012 collection, presented in London last weekend
The new Belstaff A/W 2012 collection, presented in London last weekend
(Image credit: press)

Last summer Belstaff was purchased by a consortium of Labelux Group, Harry Slatkin and Tommy Hilfiger. This weekend they presented their first collection, overseen by Chief Creative Officer Martin Cooper, who joined them from Burberry. Their plan is to position Belstaff as a global (offices in New York and London; production in Italy) British luxury lifestyle brand and take ownership of their classics.

The presentation - both men's and womenswear - was slick and well focused. Heavy in 'functional outerwear', which relates to the company’s roots in the 1940's, the collection featured signature biker jackets such as the Roadmaster and Trailmaster, made from waxed cotton.

Now cut in python, alligator and shearling, the jackets have been given a makeover, along with their new Bill Sofield-designed stores, opening in the autumn on Bond Street and Madision Avenue.

The collection was overseen by Chief Creative Officer Martin Cooper, who joined Belstaff from Burberry

The collection was overseen by Chief Creative Officer Martin Cooper, who joined Belstaff from Burberry

(Image credit: press)

Belstaff is now being positioned as a global British luxury lifestyle brand, with offices in London and New York and production in Italy

Belstaff is now being positioned as a global British luxury lifestyle brand, with offices in London and New York and production in Italy

(Image credit: press)

The slick presentation focused heavily on 'functional outerwear', which relates to the company’s roots in the 1940's

The slick presentation focused heavily on 'functional outerwear', which relates to the company’s roots in the 1940's

(Image credit: press)

The collection featured signature biker jackets, such as the Roadmaster and Trailmaster, made from waxed cotton

The collection featured signature biker jackets, such as the Roadmaster and Trailmaster, made from waxed cotton

(Image credit: press)

Alligator and shearling, the jackets have been given a makeover along with their new Bill Sofield-designed stores

Now cut in python, alligator and shearling, the jackets have been given a makeover along with their new Bill Sofield-designed stores, opening in the autumn on Bond Street and Madision Avenue

(Image credit: press)

Also known as Picky Nicky, Nick Vinson has contributed to Wallpaper* Magazine for the past 21 years. He runs Vinson&Co, a London-based bureau specialising in creative direction and interiors for the luxury goods industry. As both an expert and fan of Made in Italy, he divides his time between London and Florence and has decades of experience in the industry as a critic, curator and editor.