Sleeves Magazine July 2016 | Page 57

Star Of The Show: Natural Selection London – John Park by George Reece A thing of beauty is a joy forever, and that eternal pleasure is comprised of two things; the properties or qualities of the thing itself, and, crucially, its context. Where, for example, would Guinness stout beer be without its much envied marketing strategies? Without its toucan and its world records, and the discussion raging on about it being “good for you” as tick follows tock follows tick follows tock…? It’s a very nice drink, but would it ever have found an audience beyond the bearded dyers and weavers of 18th century Dublin without its delicious context? Perhaps not. It is with this thought in mind that I crown Natural Selection as my star of the show for LCM 2016, wondering whether in fact there’s rather more to a great fashion line than cut and colour, print and press. Because of course there are many utterly fabulous collections on display in this year’s designer showrooms from the sharp, funky, colourful beachwear of Òkun to the smarter than smart Hardy Amies tablecloth tuxedos, but it is Natural Selection which resonates, which sticks, which plays on the mind. Sleeves Magazine