London Fashion Week’s menswear day took place yesterday as the city’s most celebrated menswear designers took to the runways for AW10 collections. Among the standouts were Carolyn Massey, who showed oversized knits tops over slim pants in a muted pink and grey palette. James Long’s collection was inspired by ’90s performance artist Laurie Anderson-and his black on black collection gave us motorcycle inspired pieces in leather as well as super wide wale corduroy, and tons of chunky knit tops. Topman Design set itself apart with tweaked military-inspired menswear classics  in a vegetable-dyed palette. We’ve got highlights after the jump.

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More from London: Tim Blanks reports that James Long’s "acid army" looks were inspired by—among other very particular interests—Warhol’s oxidation paintings and Mapplethorpe’s photos. Blanks described the collection as “an intense, coherent statement about men at war.”  We love the updated camo looks, layered metallics and leathers and fresh take on the military theme. Pics after the jump.  (LFW/men.style)

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At London Fashion Week’s menswear day yesterday, exploration and travel was a huge theme and Carolyn Massey designed for an urban expeditioner in mind, with sporty outerwear, backpack and mountain climbing references mixed with traditional sportswear throughout.  Suits were accessorized with hiking gear. Nylon parkas got a fashion transformation – cropped and belted was the look, and accessorized with mountain climbing rope. Silhouettes were slim, and often cropped. Looks were topped off with brogues, rather than hiking boots for a look that was decidedly urban and fresh.  Pics after the jump. (LFW)

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The British Fashion Council (BFC) is to use London venue 180 The Strand as a second show venue for London Fashion Week (LFW) this September. Brands including Ksubi, YMC and Dr Martens will show at the venue, which will house directional ready-to-wear and accessories. The OnOff exhibition will also be based at 180 The Strand.  Somerset House will be the venue for the BFC catwalk show, The Portico Rooms presentation space, showrooms, catwalk show NEWGEN – which is sponsored by Topshop – exhibitors and sponsor lounges. The space within 180 The Strand has been provided by Land Securities for the duration of LFW.  Simon Ward, joint chief executive of the BFC said: “This modern space is the polar opposite to the neoclassical architecture of Somerset House and the combination of both venues creates a strong backdrop to London Fashion Week and the designer collections that will be showcased there.”  LFW take place September 18 – 22, with the menswear day taking place September 23. (Drapers)

 Take a gander at this preview of J.W. Anderson’s spring 2010 lineup. This vestiary aperitif arrives a month in advance of London Fashion Week, where the collection will be shown. In creating this medley, J.W. Anderson looked to English romantic painter Joseph Mallord William Turner as a muse. Ash Stymest strikes a contemplative pose for Alex Sainsbury’s preview, decked out in organic accessories and rippling outfits that pick up on a period of Turner’s career that focused the idea  of man at odds with the might of nature.(–Antonio Reis)

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Carolyn Massey is a London Fashion institution and her star has been on the rise for the past few seasons.  We’ve got some pics from the AW09 collection after the jump featuring some great suits, and layered casual looks that look amazingly fresh after the jump.

pics: MFL & Fashion156

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We found some great pics of the stylish boys of London on Styleslicker. Check em out after the jump.

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While Topman’s arrival in the US has been delayed, we can still get a preview of what’s to come at the MAN Show, which was held last week at London Fashion Week. The show featured the AW collections from some of Britiain’s hottest young designers, including Christopher Shannon (left), JW Anderson, james Long, and house label Topman Design. View the video of the show here. More pics after the jump.

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The MAN show is one of the most anticipated shows of London Fashion Week. Now in its seventh season, the show, which is sponsored by Topman Design, collaborates with Colette in Paris to showcase and support up and coming menswear designers. This season, designers Christopher Shannon, Hans Christian Madsen and James Long showed their SS09 collections, and Paris based design collective Andrea Crews presented an interactive performance piece at the entrance.  We’ve got a handful of pics, thanks to Diane Pernet,  after the jump.

(photo:coutorture)

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And now, a few words with James Long, who will be showing his SS09 collection at Topman’s MAN show later this week.  I got a chance to ask the designer himself a few questions as to what we can expect from his ss09 presentation.

Name:  James Long
Age: 27
Occupation:  Designer
Company: James Long
Location:  London, Hackney

Tell us about your upcoming presentation.
I’m one of three designers chosen to show along side Topman design at the fashion east and topman MAN show.

What inspired your ss09 collection?  As Patti Smith once put it – Arabian stallions lapping into sea horses.
What menswear show are you most looking forward to seeing during London Fashion Week?  The other designers I show with. Christopher is new so that will be exciting!
What is one item in your collection you can’t wait to share with the world? The new slant on knitwear. All of it really is quite a move on for me.
Can you give us a hint as to what songs you have selected to play as the  models walk down the runway?  The music is not finalized yet. It’s all a bit last minute. Will Bates in New York in working on it for me.

What differentiates my collection from the others is……..? It’s not so sports wear.

Finally, give us a little background on how you got to where you are.  I graduated from a Master’s at the Royal College of Art in Sept 2007 and showed straight away in Feb 2008. Dazed and Confused were are really supportive and Lulu Kennedy the boss at Fashion East is really supportive of the designers she supports. I have a great team of people – Sam Hot or Not, my sister, and mum and dad, who all help. I don’t think you can get anywhere on your own, but when there are a great team of people who believe in what in what you do the sky is the limit.