After seasons in the shadows, this weekend’s inaugural London Collections: Men marks British menswear’s long-awaited arrival on the fashion calendar proper. As established talents such as Lou Dalton and SIBLING take centre-stage, it’s bright young things like Joe Turvey who are keenly taking up the ‘next generation’ mantle, making sure London’s legacy of providing menswear pioneers lives on.
Click images to enlarge.
Graduating with an MA in ‘Menswear Design Technology’ from LCF, Joe couples his well-honed technical ability with stacks of ambition and passion. Finding a flock of fans in team i-D, Fashion Editor Elgar Johnson said of Mr T, “Joe’s work is really exciting, he’s brave and has fantastic use of colour. Potentially a massive talent and definitely one to watch.” Since leaving LCF in February, Turvey’s moved at top speed, presenting his AW12 collection to a packed out Freemason’s Hall as part of Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s ‘Ones To Watch’ and is now readying himself to participate in the Designer’s Exhibition at LC:M this weekend. Ahead of the festivities, Joe invited i-D online to exclusively showcase his tropic-tastic SS13 lookbook and answered a couple of quick Q’s…
Can you describe yourself in 140 characters? I would say I am determined, funny, creative, fickle, honest and very tall.
Who were your fashion icons as a child? My Nan. She always took a great pride in her appearance. I remember her most in her knitted jumpers with unusual embroidery details and a different broach for every occasion. My mum told me stories about her when she was younger, in particular one story when she bleached her hair blonde but it turned canary yellow and she had to wear a turban. I like to think I got my creativity from her.
Where do you live and where do you buy your groceries? I live in Aldgate East and I hardly ever have time to go food shopping. So most of the time I grab anything I can from the corner shop or go to my sister’s… She looks after me.
Dawn till dusk, could you describe a day in the studio at the moment? Manic. I rush to the studio first thing. After working up a sweat I sit down with a cup of tea and have a natter with my friend and technician Annie. Then it’s down to business. Making samples for SS13, I make most of my samples in house so it’s a busy time for me and then there’s dealing with press and sales for the first collection. It’s been non stop every day since my last show. I love it.
How much does the opinions of others affect the work you do? I think there is only really one person’s opinion I truly let affect my work: the Course Director from my Masters at London College of Fashion, Darren Cabon. He is a perfectionist and his attention to detail is second to none. This pushes you as a student to be the best you can be. He is the reason London College of Fashion’s Masters graduates are starting to be noticed within London Fashion. I will hopefully continue to seek his advice throughout my career.
What is the Joseph Turvey man dancing to this summer? He is still waiting for the M.I.A album.
And what does he make i-D when we come over for dinner? He orders take out.
Whatʼs now? Presenting the new collection during the London Collections: Men in the Designer Exhibition.
Whatʼs next? A trip to Antwerp then Paris. That’s all I’m saying.
All clothing Joe Turvey SS13. Shoes Hush Puppies. Hats Joe Turvey X Hayley Troughton. Neckpiece Joe Turvey X Alice Reynolds.
Text: Sean Baker
Photography: Hayley Benoit
Styling: Sophie Clarke
Makeup: Fern Nolan
Models: Josh H and Rycardo at AMCK. Caleb Dobie at D1
