Darren Kennedy X Louis Copeland Autumn Winter 14
TV presenter, journalist and designer, Darren Kennedy talks us through his latest capsule collection of stunning suits with tailor Louis Copeland.
The A/W14 ‘DK x LC’ collection marks my third collaboration with Ireland’s most-renowned and iconic tailor – Louis Copeland, and I feel that it is our strongest offering to date. A capsule collection of six suits – all made from the finest Italian fabrics, in the season’s most notable hues – and two overcoats, the Autumn Winter range is the perfect marrying of style and versatility, as each piece can be worn on its own, or as separates woven into already-existing pieces from any guy’s wardrobe.
Working with Louis – who has been at the forefront of Darren Kennedy X Louis Copeland Autumn Winter 14
TV presenter, journalist and designer, Darren Kennedy talks us through his latest capsule collection of stunning suits with tailor Louis Copeland.
The A/W14 ‘DK x LC’ collection marks my third collaboration with Ireland’s most-renowned and iconic tailor – Louis Copeland, and I feel that it is our strongest offering to date. A capsule collection of six suits – all made from the finest Italian fabrics, in the season’s most notable hues – and two overcoats, the Autumn Winter range is the perfect marrying of style and versatility, as each piece can be worn on its own, or as separates woven into already-existing pieces from any guy’s wardrobe.
Working with Louis – who has been at the forefront of Irish tailoring for as long as I can remember and whose family have been tailoring for over a 100 years) – has allowed me to create a collection of suits that combines Louis’ expert knowledge with my own personal aesthetic. The A/W’14 DKxLC continues from where our past collections left off as my signature details of broad-peaked lapels and double-breasted waistcoats all feature in the suits which are cast in autumnal burgundy, grey and icy blue. The result, I feel, is a range of suits that appeals to both the classic and contemporary customer.
The theme of this season’s collection is ‘Adventurers and Inventors’ and each suit is named after a famous Irish explorer. The George, for example is named after Irish physicist, George Johnstone Stoney and features a wide-peak lapel that is crafted from a fabric sourced from the Delfino mill in Napoli, Italy. Attention to detail is always at the forefront of both Louis’ and my mind when we are designing each suit, so much so, that each waistcoat features a woollen flannel fabric back, which is taken in to the gentleman’s exact measurements, meaning there’s no fussing about with an adjustor!
I recently wore The Tom (called after Irish explorer, Tom Creen) – a grey window pane, double-breasted check suit on the Xtra Factor and I think it’s a fantastic example of the collection’s versatility. Think of pairing the trousers with a roll-neck or wearing the jacket with contrast trousers. Each piece in the collection is not only designed to create a statement, but also to merge into your existing wardrobe. The two coats in the A/W/’14 collection – one in black and white herringbone with a contrasting black and velvet collar and the other in luxurious burgundy brushed wool – combine the classic with the contemporary and are going to speak for themselves, whether you dress them up or down.
Both Louis and I designed the DKxLC A/W’14 collection with the aim of creating future classics. Each of the six suits are investment pieces, but that doesn’t mean they should hang in your wardrobe, only to be worn once every couple of years. It’s not a case of ‘buy now, wear later’. It should be a case of ‘buy now and wear as much as possible’, because life is the occasion.
Irish tailoring for as long as I can remember and whose family have been tailoring for over a 100 years) – has allowed me to create a collection of suits that combines Louis’ expert knowledge with my own personal aesthetic. The A/W’14 DKxLC continues from where our past collections left off as my signature details of broad-peaked lapels and double-breasted waistcoats all feature in the suits which are cast in autumnal burgundy, grey and icy blue. The result, I feel, is a range of suits that appeals to both the classic and contemporary customer.
