Words by Elliott James Sainsbury.

Rendez-Vous is just one of the many trade shows running alongside the Spring/Summer 2010 men’s presentations. They give a chance to look at what new designers, independent labels and worldwide designers are doing and are just as interesting as the catwalks themselves.

Buckstyle favourite Carolyn Massey previewed her S/S 10 collection, with backpacks, belts and t-shirts the new additions to her pin-sharp offer. A slight redesign of her logo- now slightly worn looking- gave a clue to the theme. It seemed to be about functionality and the great outdoors- perhaps hiking, mountaineering and again, military pursuits- but with colour popping dandyism splashed throughout.

Cropped, almost bolero cardigans came in burgundy and knitted vests in deep mustard yellow. Both colours showed up in tasseled rope belts and keyrings as part of a tranche of new accessories including those backpacks and yes, leather spats for putting over your shoes! A drapey, featherweight trench came in bold blue technical fabric, with overhead hoodie/jacket hybrids and the sturdy waxed cotton bomber below an excellent contender for anyone’s Spring cover-up next year.

Carolyn Massey S/S 2010

Cult label Happy Socks also had a strong showing, presenting a collaboration with Wood Wood and a mind-boggling choice of colours and patterns. New to look out for were those long socks- good for wearing with boots- and an MC Escher-inspired diamond pattern. Long may they continue.

Happy Socks S/S 10, above and Happy Socks x Wood Wood, below

Finally, a label that I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about over the next year- Dusty, created by Finnish designer Marjut Uotila and named after one of Sue Ellen’s old flames from Dallas. They will be creating a collection for Lens at Topman next Summer, but until then their mainline gave us an example of what to expect.

Dusty is a menswear brand with a conscience, being created as ‘locally as possible’, the clothes being hand-knitted and created in small Finnish ateliers near Marjut’s studio. Fact: all the braiding for S/S 10 is made from recycled cotton! As if you needed any more justification that they are One To Watch.

Dusty S/S 10

Popularity: 36% [?]