Belstaff S/S 2016

(Image credit: Jason Lloyd-Evans)

last updated 16 July 2022

Scene setting: In keeping with Belstaff's history as supplier to the British forces, the spring/summer 2016 collection was presented at Old Billingsgate Market on the banks of the River Thames with the addition of a desert jeep, bike and army tent for added martial measure.

Finishing touches: The collection develops the concept of the great British desert explorer, referencing the brand's motoring and military heritage. Standout were the pieces with taping detail inspired by parachute construction, like a full-length lightweight parka in a terrain print influenced by old exploration maps. The design team delved into the archives, studying explorers old and new from Lawrence of Arabia to Levison Wood - the British explorer who recently returned from walking the length of the river Nile. The label also unveiled a custom explorer jacket that it made with Levison for this season.

Sound bite: 'It's an exploratory collection that injects technical innovation and contemporary fabrications into Belstaff's iconic silhouettes, evolving elements of military and heritage gear for a modern Belstaff identity,' says VP men's design Frederik Dyhr.

Photography: Jason Lloyd-Evans

Male models wearing dark brown leather jackets

Male models wearing white and beige clothing

London based writer Dal Chodha is editor-in-chief of Archivist Addendum — a publishing project that explores the gap between fashion editorial and academe. He writes for various international titles and journals on fashion, art and culture and is a contributing editor at Wallpaper*. Chodha has been working in academic institutions for more than a decade and is Stage 1 Leader of the BA Fashion Communication and Promotion course at Central Saint Martins. In 2020 he published his first book SHOW NOTES, an original hybrid of journalism, poetry and provocation.