Known for his utilitarian aesthetic and affinity for camouflage prints, London-based designer Christopher Raeburn has always been drawn to stories of adventures and exploring.
For spring ’18, he revisited “The Long Walk,” a book he had read as a kid that narrates the story of the late Polish army lieutenant Slavomir Rawicz of escaping a labor camp in Siberia in 1941 and walking through the Gobi Desert, Tibet and the Himalayas to India. His collection was on display yesterday at the BFC Show Space for London Fashion Week Men’s.
Inspired by his childhood tale, Raeburn set out to create all-weather garments and shoes that are light and can withstand “desert, wind and sun.” On the footwear front at the show, the offer was naturally sneaker-heavy and was created in collaboration with Palladium sneakers. Some of the standouts included high-top leather sneakers featuring oversized straps and chunky gripped soles in a neutral palette of gray, black and khaki. Some of the pairs featured backless straps so that the shows could function as both sandals and boots. Another highlight included pairs of ankle-length shoes made of stretchy fabrics that fit the foot like a glove and maximized movement and flexibility. In line with his commitment to sustainability, Raeburn and Palladium used recycled rubber and coated leather to create all the shoe styles.
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They were worn with tracksuits, layered over billowing mackintoshes and loosely tailored coats, as well as edgy tops made of see-through tulle netting. Even though not necessarily desert-worthy, the sneakers are sure to sit well with all the adventurous types who embrace Raeburn’s traditionally rugged aesthetic.
