We can say that J.W. Anderson is probably one of the few (if not the only) designers that really push the envelope when it comes down to men’s fashion. And while saying that I think fashion in general. I know most people probably would think ‘who the hell would wear that?’ but it’s not really about that. It is more about ‘why wouldn’t you wear that?’. The word ‘androgynous’ probably comes to mind or even ‘gender bending’ – but all of these signifiers don’t really cover its complexity. It’s not about what men’s fashion could be; it is about what men’s fashion should be. Free from our preconceived Western ideas on femininity and masculinity. Be it showing a certain part of the body nude (see the strapless top) or embellishing the hem of a short with a ruffle it immediately references something that we understand as ‘girly’. Only because for decades these archetypes have been used within women’s clothing primarily. In the autumn/winter 2013 collection last week J.W. Anderson presents ideas on men’s fashion using these archetypes almost free of its references placing it in a manner that is quite masculine actually. Boxy bold shapes combined with stiff ruffles – introduce quite a tough image rather than a girly one. Where back in the 90s Raf Simons blew new life into men’s fashion, J.W. Anderson now really takes it to the next level by redefining those rules of dress we all grew up with. He’s a little light in dark tunnel of commercially driven fashion. Check out the entire collection here.