Joe Casely-Hayford returns for John Lewis and unveils AW11 Collection

July 19, 2011 - PRLog -- This September sees John Lewis reveal its fourth and first full scale exclusive collection designed by Joe Casely-Hayford, one of Britain’s most influential contemporary designers. The ongoing ethos behind the collection is based on a celebration of authentic, modern classic British style and focuses on a streamlined wardrobe for contemporary men who appreciate, design, quality and attention to detail.

The Autumn Winter 11 collection is the largest yet and continues to build on the strong foundations laid in the three previous capsule collections. Having established a strong following of worldly, well informed men through exclusive collaborations with some of the UK’s finest heritage manufacturers, such as BARBOUR, LIBERTY and ABRAHAM MOON; Joe continues to celebrate craftsmanship and home-grown British manufacturing by joining forces with new collaborators such as GUERNSEY and WILLIAM LOCKIE.

Matt McCormack, Head of Buying Menswear at John Lewis, says, “Once again Joe has worked closely with respected British Mills to develop unique exclusive cloths for our customer, as well as reintroducing some updated forgotten English favourites. Bringing specialist products to a wider audience without losing integrity, this season’s collection forms the perfect bridge between formal and casual wear. “

Joe Casely-Hayford, continues, “What gives the collection distinction is the cut and subtle design we have nurtured since developing unique ‘blocks’ for the John Lewis man.
These new shapes are elegant, contemporary and sexy; cut to work on a wide range of body types to suit the modern man.”

Joe’s Autumn Winter collection takes inspiration from Eric Newby’s seminal travel book, A SHORT WALK IN THE HINDU KUSH in which Newby makes an ill-prepared yet legendary journey from his family Couture fashion business in London’s Mayfair to the more remote peaks of the Mir Samir Mountain in Afghanistan - before returning to London in 1959 where he worked as a fashion buyer at John Lewis until 1963.

On his ascent, Newby meets Wilfred Thesiger with whom he exchanges notes on Savile Row tailors. Drawn in by the tale’s lightness and wit, Joe has ensured each piece from the AW collection takes its name from this book. In design terms, the collection starts out in MAYFAIR with beautifully tailored English outerwear such as the forgotten classic BRITISH WARM OVERCOAT or the essential CHESTERFIELD, and then gradually evolves into more rugged pieces like the new BARBOUR DUFFLE JACKET or the richly coloured MOLESKIN and CORDUROY TROUSERS.


Autumn Winter Collection includes:
Autumn Winter sees the exciting introduction of two key seasonal overcoats – the BASKERVILLE and the SAMIR. Both created out of fabric woven in England by The Abraham Moon Mills in Yorkshire, the BASKERVILLE is a British Chesterfield in muted Glen check while the SAMIR is a modern take on the authentic British Warm Overcoat Beautifully tailored in exclusive 700 gram. MELTON and finished with real Corozo buttons.

A favourite style with the John Lewis customer, Joe has created two Pea jackets – the BUCHAN and the SNOWDONIA. Continuing to collaborate with The Abraham Moon Mills, the BUCHAN is made from a heavy weight Melton which combines innovation, elegance and function. Made from beautiful Shearling, the SNOWDINIA is produced in England and includes design features such as a deep Military collar and four practical pockets.

The TASMA/ARPAA jacket has become a Joe Casely-Hayford for John Lewis essential. This successful jacket shape was developed expressly for John Lewis and highlights Joe’s exceptional tailoring skills which were honed on Savile Row. For Autumn Winter Joe has introduced two new fabric options, both woven in Yorkshire. The first cloth is contemporary looking light grey waffle tweed while the second is a classic British Window pane design which brings together all the shades of the English Country side, given a modern twist with a bright over check. Both cloths have a specially pressed finish which aids crease resistance and features include an external ticket pocket, real Corozo buttons and Turquoise Melton under collar.

Always a popular presence in the Joe Casely-Hayford for John Lewis collaboration, this season’s partnership with Barbour introduces a fabulous new style - the CHILWORTH. Fusing elements from two great British design classics, the Duffle Coat and the Barbour jacket - the CHILWORTH includes authentic detailing such as a stud fastening back storm flap and Storm pockets. Another best selling style back for Autumn Winter; the BEZIQUE marries Savile Row Cutting with the rugged spirit of Barbour outdoors. Similarly to the CHILWORTH, the exquisitely shaped jacket includes a new distinctive Patchwork lining made from the Barbour House Checks, exclusively developed by Joe.

This season Joe has formed a new association with traditional knitters from the Scottish Borders, Ireland and GUERNSEY with whom he has created a collection of rich, very British, knits ranging from Fair Isle to cable knits and Guernsey’s.
Updated in a beautiful grey and navy fine stripe with a practical crew neck opening, the authentic GUERNSEY knit originally came into being as a garment for fishermen who required a warm hard wearing yet comfortable item of clothing that would resist the sea spray. Sitting alongside the GUERNSEY is MR LUND, a great Fair Isle pattern Yoke pull over that is knitted in 100% Wool in the Donegal Mountains. Also included in the rich knits is the THESIGER, a Natural Cream Cable Roll neck knitted by crafts people in the Donegal Mountains.

Autumn Winter welcomes back the classic KRONOS – a super stylish 5 gauge 100% Cashmere Turtle neck knitted in Italy and available in two colours. Concluding the knitwear offer, the TALUS is made from 14 gauge Zegna Baruffa Merino yarn and knitted in Italy.

The main highlight colour of the season is a deep Afghan Turquoise, which can be seen in rich Moleskin trousers, jacket linings, bindings and Melton under collars.
Other accent colours are deep burgundy and gold.

The strong relationship with LIBERTY continues with two exciting shirt designs, the first, a luscious Kelim inspired Paisley pattern in hues of deep burgundy and wine.
The second design is one of the first ever LIBERTY prints to be digitally created.
As part of their ongoing approach to innovative fabric design and print, exploring new techniques has always been a priority. In line with all Liberty prints, the initial design process is hand crafted. Digital printing enables the designs to evolve in ways that would have previously have been impossible. This digital print LIBERTY shirt design features mountain flowers juxtaposed with dashes of vibrant turquoise creating a shade that could only be achieved through the use of these high quality digital methods.

The collection will be available in selected John Lewis branches and online at johnlewis.com from September. For a preview of the collection please contact Lucy Hemelryk at Rain Communications.



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