Ben Sherman Spring/Summer 2015 Collection
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Ben Sherman returned from adventures in the USA to set up his shirt business in the UK in 1963. Inspired by the potent optimism of mid-twentieth century America, the land of make-believe, teenage rebellion and pop culture, he set about re-inventing and re-defining the shirt in a new and exciting way for the British market.
From his first factory in Bedford Square, Brighton, he launched the ‘original Ben Sherman shirt’ which featured a host of innovate details inspired by American styling but now sharper for the UK consumer. All of this was underpinned by an unflinching belief in quality fabrics that were all sourced from America.
Ben Sherman transformed the humble shirt from a staple item into a statement piece that was perfect for the mood of the early 1960s and an instant success. This was demonstrated most clearly by the brand being adopted by the Mod movement of that era. Inspired by a modernist sartorial approach, this intrinsically British sub-culture embraced the Ben Sherman shirt, loving it for its high quality fabrication, slim-fitting style and unique design. Donned by so many influential bands of the time, a British classic look was born, and Ben Sherman was at the heart of it.
Five decades later, and the Ben Sherman brand and shirt has been embraced and loved by many of the key British youth and style cultures that followed, such as Northern Soul, Ska, Two-tone, and Punk, Mod revivalism and Brit-pop. Each of these vibrant sub-cultures has provided fresh impetus and rediscovery of the Ben Sherman brand so it has naturally become rooted in the British fashion consciousness.
The Oxford Shirt
The humble shirt was transformed from a staple item into a statement piece that was perfect for the mood of the times. The ‘original Ben Sherman shirt’ featured a host of innovative details; buttoned-down collars, a button on the back of the collar, a locker loop, a box pleat and square hem. Fundamental to this new look was also a signature use of bold colour and bright checks, and the gingham check shirt soon became a mainstay of their collections. It has since become an enduring classic and is very much synonymous with the brand.
This reinterpretation of the shirt was also underpinned by an unflinching belief in quality fabrics, all sourced from America. The Oxford weave has been an ever-present for the brand since the very beginning and the Oxford Shirt remains an essential part of our core collections through to the current day.
Harrington Jacket
The Harrington jacket is a staple that has been worn with Ben Sherman’s famous button down shirt from Mods through to Britpop. It became synonymous with the brand so it was a natural step for them to create their own interpretation of this classic that is now a highlight in the latest 2015 collection.
The House Check
Like all great iconic pieces, the house check was born naturally out of core brand values and enduring appreciation and approval. The gingham check has been a pattern essential to Ben Sherman since its very origins in the 1960’s, the same time that the colours of red, white and blue were becoming central due to it being adopted and adored by the Mod movement.
It seemed natural that a two-tone blue and white gingham check should become infused with a thin red check line to create the famous Ben Sherman house check; a check that has become synonymous with the brand by being an essential part of the uniform worn by so many British youth sub-cultures ever since.
The Spring/Summer 2015 Ben Sherman Collection is out now, available online here and in selected size? stores.
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