July 24, 2012: Inspired by London’s sartorial elegance, Canali’s Autumn Winter 2012 collection reflects a cosmopolitan spirit. Available in stores now, the collection pays tribute to London through originality, humour and minute attention to detail. The new collection is not constrained by the rigid concept of English style and takes its cue from London’s eclecticism, reinterpreting the different styles of elegance expressed by the Dandy, Swinging London and New Romantic.
Textures and fabrics have been redesigned: Prince of Wales, houndstooth and cover twill are more substantial and accentuated, pinstripes are wider and 1970s Op Art patterns and floral prints breathe life not only into the ties, but also the shirts and trousers.
Slim-fitting, short-ish jackets with thinner lapels, featuring barely hinted shoulders or deconstructed designs like the Kei jacket, are the protagonists of the collection. Alongside the cigarette-leg trousers with turn-ups favoured by more formal suits, Canali also showcases a model with a small waist pleat and a looser fit.
The single or double-breasted overcoats have velvet collars and back-belts and some are embellished by important marmot or cropped mink fur collars. The typical blues and greys of the menswear tradition are revisited. Grey, commonly used as a background colour, is juxtaposed with camel, bright red and burgundy, while blue forgets the powdery shades of last winter and prefers deep, bright tones, often mixed with greens.
Complementing the formal attire, the Leisure Collection marries elegance with function. To warm up the coldest days there are soft goose down jackets, duffel coats, pea coats and field jackets with English pattern linings, as well as fine nappa leather, deerskin and sheepskin models.
The knitwear range, including cashmere turtlenecks, continues to prefer combed or carded yarns, now joined by angora and mohair, which feel very England of the 1960s. English style also permeates the footwear, and particularly the round-toed Brogues, laced ankle boots and fine calfskin Beatle boots.
