Mood board: the mirrored cardboard press release on the benches at the Cottweiler show — one evoking a folded foil sun reflector — hinted at the sense of sun-drenched spiritualism behind the London-based brand’s S/S 2019 collection. Designers Ben Cottrell and Matthew Dainty, whose innovative sportswear aesthetic won the label the menswear crown at 2017’s Woolmark Prize, imagined a man embarking on a spiritual journey, preoccupied with the pure symbolism of the lotus flower, camping on beaches and worshipping the sun. True to their aesthetic the designers presented sleek perforated nappa leather tracksuits, tiny shorts and tracksuits in lilacs and yellows, lotus flower print crop tops and merino knit vests interwoven with massage beads, all presented to a meditation soundtrack of crashing waves, which crescendoed into pumping garage.
Finishing touches: the accessories emphasised a tongue in cheek take on Cottweiler’s quest for inner calm. Alongside belly chains, beach mats and beaded bracelets, models wore the reflective eye protectors essential for sunning salons, while another had marks on his chest from skin cupping. Two even strode onto the catwalk carrying LED televisions, blaring a paradisal scene of tropical waterfalls.
Team work: Knitted trainers embellished with massage beads marked Cottweiler’s continued collaboration in Reebok. The brand also tamed up with Teva (its velvet strap sandals are still a fashion week stalwart), which culminated in an imaginative scuba shoe slipped into a sandal. Practical, multi functional and yoga retreat ready. §
