Christopher Raeburn. London Spring 2019 Men/Women

  (Images from vogue.com All Rights.  Used in promotion of the designer)

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"...Christopher Raeburn stands out as I believe he is a talented designer, still trying to find his footing with style and originality. I like camouflage, in minimal doses, as it can be used creatively in different ways and his choice of color palette for this Fall 2017 collection, shows an awareness of spectral colors within darker shades. The use and application of military and industrial fabrics is admirable. Combining looks of rugged, survivalist and military styles has an appealing concept as the ‘survivalist’ aesthetic is rarely utilized by designers for a concept or style. Personally I like these styles a lot and I cannot fault Raeburn’s creative interest within presenting that stylization. However what let his Fall 2017 collection down is the sloppy cuts, which were aligned with a weighted and tiring presentation. This could be because of the use of heavy synthetic weaves and/or abrasion resistant fabrics (military/industrial) that would be very hard to layer and style which in turn will not do justice to what could be expressed visually..."

Above is an excerpt from my men's Fall 2017 review 

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There is undoubtedly an admirable aspect to Christoper Raeburn's collections, apart from the recycled materials and his ethics in relation to the astounding waste from a clothing industry that shows little sign of slowing down (fast, cheap fashion).  To create a high end designer garments from reusable material, mostly synthetic based  - deserves a lot of merit.  There is also a noted generalist view of problems facing all human beings expressed with Raeburn's Spring 2019 collection.  An encompassing humanist aspect of climate change and the impact it will have on the human race.  From economies, countries and culture.  The potential consequences will be something humanity has never faced on such a broad scale.  This is important in the defining of relevant issues that concerns everybody.  As some designers in their immaturity or others trying to cash in with very poorly thought out sentiments that are too appeal and fuel the so called culture wars and gender divisiveness debates - which are both instigated in fumbled, yet direct ways by marketing from either social media platforms to the mainstream politics (which have become intertwined).  Dividing and reinstating 'fears' that have been spread throughout the over-bloated Universities.  Thus the overstated cultural fear mongering (from both the right and left of media and politics) is mostly aimed at young adults for ad/market revenue and more importantly: votes.  Is by its very nature known as distraction politics as these misplaced fears have a flip side - the loss will be the majority while the small minority profit from division.  The designer and artist should know and be aware of how to maintain a viewpoint that sits in the middle.  To create more of an ambiguity which in turn makes one think a little harder.  Or in Raeburn's fashionable sincerity and credit, even though it appeals to markets, is his blunt observation of an environmental crisis.  Why not make it a sole aspect of discussion.  In which this Earth, if we continue in an hyper-production of creating wasteful industries, the climate will change.  The planet will still be here in its indifference to humanity, but we will suffer the consequences within the real time of environments that will be hostile to us.  Our petty fears of social acceptance will be meaningless.  Christoper Raeburn has intelligently achieved this with his Spring 2019 Men's collection.

Mostly recycled polyester and cottons, paring up with the well known mega brand Timberland (noted branding on some of Raeburn's pieces more so the sneakers), possible contradictions here with creating an environmental aware exclusivity via his Spring 2019 collection.  However, Raeburn uses, apparently, 1980s and 90s discarded Timberland clothing.  Of course using recycled vintage clothing pieces from an old established company makes sense in relation to maintaining the environmental theme of the show.  However there is still the scourge of dry rot.  So, the overall predilection is there in a business sense, as one still needs to make money.

White and black, as seen with other designers who also contemplate a duel viewpoint balance between the two color lacking achromatic/s.  Black as a base which absorbs heat and white that reflects.  Splashes of orange and striking reds that may be the joining color as a warning against the perilousness when the balance is shifted in one or the other's direction.  Padded and enclosed protective styles, hats with shade covers over the neck from the harshness of ultra violet light.  NASA sourced satellite imagery of the melting polar caps on full length dresses, pants and shorts.

A focused and powerful ensemble of styles that also shows the relevance of Raeburn's brand that recycles materials to be used in all his collections.