Mr Porter and Friends – A series of exclusive collaborations

Following on from last year’s launch of a series of designer collaborations, created specifically for the internet e-tailing Colossus, Mr Porter, which included the likes of Paul Smith, YMC, Oliver Spencer and Orlebar Brown. This year sees the first in a new international crop of partnerships with Parisan designer Alexandre Mattuissi for the brand Ami. The Native New Yorker Alexander Wang, Tokyo’s Beams Plus and Antwerp’s finest Raf Simons.

Alexandre Mattuissi for Ami, has created a brand, which its fair to say, has become a destination for the Style Press and Retail Buyers alike. This range is essentially based on ‘les bords du Canal Saint Martin,’ or the area where the stylish Parisian crowd hangs out on summer nights. The 13 piece capsule collection consists of tailored blazers, jackets and trousers.

Alexander Wang‘s nine piece collection of t-shirts, sweats, varsity jackets, and leather bombers. He says of this collaboration,     “The exclusive collection for MR PORTER.COM includes some of my favourite styles from our ready-to-wear and T by Alexander Wang collections; these pieces are essentials in my everyday wardrobe. For this collaboration with MR PORTER, it felt right to make the selection really personal and effortless, by mixing ready-to-wear with T.”

Next up we have Beams Plus, hailing from the Uber Trendy Tokyo district of Harajuku, who from launching a menswear line in 1999 have grown to be a tour de force in their native Japan. This collaboration for Spring 2013 is based on the ‘Ivy Surf’ concept – collegiate meets the coast. The 6 piece capsule collection consists of polo’s, t-shirts, and shorts adorned with Japanese designer Palm Graphics’ signature palm surfer.

Lastly, MrPorter.com and Raf Simons have come together to create an exclusive 13 piece floral inspired capsule collection for spring 2013. Hand-painted prints have transformed staples such as t-shirts and sweats, and formalwear including a blazer and white shirt, as well as hi top sneakers. Terry Betts, Senior Buyer of Mr Porter says of the collection,

“Raf’s use of colour and Kurt Cobain-inspired grunge florals combined to make his SS13 show one of our favourites.This exclusive project started from new, uniquely-painted watercolours which were transformed onto fabric and then used to create a 13-piece collection for MR PORTER. We are very excited to be collaborating with one of the most creative designers currently working in the industry.”