Designer Umit Benan has skipped the fashion-show circus for the past three years, opting to show his menswear collections online or by special invitation instead.
The result of this break from the fray? Umit Benan B+, a unisex line inspired by cool, easy and soft 1980s fashion, in partnership with tailoring specialist Caruso.
“There are so many great womenswear designers out there and a lot of competition, so I sat back and thought about it before launching. All our women’s items are cut from men’s patterns, but then fitted to women” he says.
So why does tailoring still have such a strong hold on our wardrobes?
“There is much more work to it than a hoodie with a print on it,” Benan says.
“After the past couple of years of seeing sportswear everywhere, people want to reach the same level of comfort by looking more chic and well dressed. It’s for people who appreciate quality products, but don’t want to stand out in an aggressive way.”
Umit Benan B+, available from matchesfashion.com