Bespoken injects some sporty flavor into their tailored toggery for Fall 2014.
Bespoken is easily one of our favorite menswear discoveries of the past few years. Started in a Syracuse University dorm room in 2008 by brothers Liam and Sam Fayed, the New York brand specializes in traditional English tailoring with a fresh, urban edge. Originally hailing from London, their father Ali owns Turbull & Asser, the legendary British clothier whose impeccably tailored shirts have been a status symbol for generations. In the early 90s, the Fayeds relocated to Greenwich, Connecticut and when they were old enough, Liam and Sam spent their summers learning the family trade at Turnball’s NYC outpost. Realizing a gap in the menswear market for smart, tailored clothes for a younger audience, they had shirt samples made in Turbull’s Gloucestershire factory and while in college, launched the line with their first order from Bloomingdales.
In 2014, Bespoken continues on their mission to seamlessly blend old world craftsmanship with new school design. Their fall collection — called ‘Tailored Vandal’ — riffs on the brothers’ trans-Atlantic upbringing and adoration of rock ‘n’ roll’s bad boys. Inspired by both downtown New York and London’s East End, it includes sporty elements mixed in with the label’s usual mod-tinged finery. Suits are rendered not only in traditional menswear suiting, but also quilted jersey knit (a textile which is further employed for a hoodie). One jacket is cut like a 2-button blazer, but on closer inspection, features ribbed cuffs and a built-in hood. The entire lookbook is styled in a way to encourage menfolk to dress outside-the-box — trade in the loafers for boots or button a shirt all the way up but ditch the tie. We’re wondering (hoping?) if the presence of female models means that a Bespoken women’s line is somewhere on the horizon. Guess this will have to be one of those ‘wait and see’ situations.
All images from BespokenNewYork.com