Richard James S/S 2018

Overview: A key reference for the fresh S/S 2018 collection from Richard James is the Whitney Museum of American Art’s seminal ‘Young America’ exhibition of 1957. It was there that a young painter by the name of Ellsworth Kelly caused quite the sensation. His three paintings Atlantic, Bar, and Painting in Three Panels, shocked museum visitors with their straight lines and separations. The works went on to shape much of Kelly’s vision and his reputation as a master colourist. Toby Lamb, design and brand director has translated Kelly’s passion for shape and colour into a range of softly tailored separates.
Best in show: A double-breasted silhouette prevailed with a much fuller, high waisted trouser. A new raglan shoulder added to blouson jackets and zip-front bombers created a relaxed, easy feel. Standout was a coffee coloured evening suit in nubby slub silk. This is sure to do well come awards season when the brand opens their first standalone store in New York later this year.
Soundbite: ‘There’s a 1950s aesthetic to the collection,’ explains Lamb. ‘The dusty pink, pistachio and coffee colours, the graphic hand-embroidery, the 1952 Field Jacket in a soft goat’s suede. We liked the idea of thinking about protagonists, like Kelly, and wondering what they might have been up to in their downtime hanging out in Long Island.’
Richard James S/S 2018
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
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.
-
The Honda HR-V is a car for those who don’t care too much about brands or bold design
A small but sophisticated hybrid that wears its tech lightly, the Honda HR-V will probably work perfectly forever even though it can’t raise a thrill
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
New York Fashion Week A/W 2025 highlights: Christopher John Rogers to Calvin Klein Collection
Wallpaper* fashion features editor Jack Moss picks the best of New York Fashion Week A/W 2025, starting with Veronica Leoni’s confident opening act at Calvin Klein Collection
By Jack Moss Published
-
At Arpa Studios, a new chapter begins for perfumer Barnabé Fillion
Founder of Arpa Studios Barnabé Fillion catches up with Wallpaper* to talk about the latest chapter of his multisensory fragrance brand and research project
By Madeleine Rothery Published
-
Inside Louis Vuitton’s Murakami London pop-up, a colourful cartoon wonderland with one-of-a-kind café
Wallpaper* takes a tour of the Louis Vuitton x Murakami pop-up in London’s Soho, which celebrates the launch of a new ‘re-edition’ accessories collection spanning the greatest hits from the Japanese artist’s long-running collaboration with the house
By Jack Moss Published
-
Get to know Issey Miyake’s innovative A-POC ABLE line as it arrives in the UK
As A-POC ABLE Issey Miyake launches in London this week, designer Yoshiyuki Miyamae gives Wallpaper* the lowdown on the experimental Issey Miyake offshoot
By Jack Moss Published
-
Margaret Howell London Fashion Week Women's S/S 2019
By Dal Chodha Published
-
London Fashion Week S/S 2023: Ahluwalia to Martine Rose
Though slimmed-down, London Fashion Week nonetheless provided the moments of creative expression the city is known for – from Ahluwalia’s ode to Africa to Martine Rose’s much-anticipated runway return
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
Discover these fashion brands at London Craft Week
During London Craft Week, fashion brands including Smythson, Bally and Serapian are hosting events across the capital
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Nicholas Daley's multicultural roots celebrated in London
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
V&A spotlights the sartorial and social significance of the kimono
For the latest endeavour of London's Victoria and Albert Museum, Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk explores the evolution of the iconic Japanese garment
By Grace Cook Last updated
-
Erdem A/W 2020 London Fashion Week Women's
By Laura Hawkins Last updated