With LFW completed we look back at one designer Saul Nash, who introduced DRESS CODES, his latest AW24 collection inspired by the vibrant energy and rituals of London’s underground garage clubs. Embracing the specific dress code of “no hoods/no hats/no trainers” as a starting point, Nash transcends traditional sportswear boundaries while preserving the adrenaline-fueled essence of London nightlife.
His groundbreaking show coincided with the 30th anniversary of UK Garage, featuring a set and catwalk that pulsates with the spirit of a live club experience. Renowned figures such as MC Bushkin from Heartless Crew and Iconic London model Jourdan Dunn graced the runway as the show’s finale, adding star power to the already electrifying atmosphere alongside many handpicked beautiful models thanks to Troy Fearn over at Troy Casting.
The soundtrack, curated by CKTRL with Envy on the Mic, includes the track “Double-up” by RJ East, Saul’s older brother, who introduced him to the world of garage nights.
Reflecting on his inspiration, Saul Nash explains, “Growing up, I witnessed the garage scene through the eyes of my older brother, who was an MC. It set the blueprint for how I see clothing today. The question was, how do you take sportswear and dress it up to get in? That was the starting point for this collection.”
To conclude DRESS CODES offers a diverse range of pieces designed not only for the club but also for everyday wear. A standout piece is the black padded Primaloft jacket, featuring Nash’s signature movement lines and a fold-down hood cleverly designed to resemble a collar, allowing wearers to circumvent strict dress codes.
Other notable pieces include soft structure knit jackets crafted from Merino and regenerated viscose, mesh utility jackets made from Seaqual with Nash’s distinctive keyhole cut-outs, and technical lightweight denim garments paired with matching cargo pants featuring articulated knees for enhanced mobility. The collection also introduced compression knits adorned with black-and-white images of dancing bodies, scuba jersey pieces for added structure, and jacquard polo shirts featuring the brand’s inaugural monogram.
In collaboration with Smiley®, Nash presented pieces adorned with the iconic smiley face motif, including zip-up shell jackets and padded wool collarless shirts. Additionally, Nash participates in the Smiley® Future Positive Creators Fund, underscoring his commitment to sustainable fashion practices and what was especially new this season is that Nash debuted his first line of bags in collaboration with ARCS, featuring mesh crossbody bags and holster bags fastened with magnets.
We eagerly anticipate the unveiling of Saul’s SS25 collection in the fall, and for now, you’ll find a selection of our favourite looks captured during the designer’s AW24 show on February 18, 2024, at Selfridges Hotel in London, skillfully photographed by Chris Yates/ Chris Yates Media.. For those curious, the exceptional styling team was headed by Elgar Johnson with assistance from Art ÓNéill and Shazaib Javed.
All of the models involved were incredible, however one by the name of Souvian Nelson from Brooks Modeling Agency stood out to us, his first show in London and he did a stellar job and we wish him a bright future in the industry.