J.W. Anderson for Topshop

I've previously never bought into the collaborations between top fashion designers and high-street brands: they're usually cheaply made or not as well-designed as the real deal. But, when I saw the J.W. Anderson for Topshop collection, I knew my luck had changed and I bought the blue striped dress and the box pleat denim skirt. 

J.W. Anderson, or 27-year-old Jonathan (William) Anderson seems to be the new golden boy of the fashion world. Sponsored by NEWGEN since Autumn/Winter 2011, he has quickly become an emerging talent at London Fashion Week, single-handledly bringing paisley back into fashion and advocating for homemade British craft and manufacture. His first collection was launched just four years ago, with an ethos that has continued to his Spring/Summer 2013 collection this week on the Topshop runway: that is, a homage to classic design, be it a crisp white shirt or a Breton striped sweater, imbued with a sense of androgyny. In his own words: "It's always been about men borrowing women's clothing, women borrowing men's clothing. It's this idea of a homogenous wardrobe. I think that's modern, that is modernity now." 

There is also an element of youth, punk and subculture, whether it's the tartan knits or black kilts, which make up J.W. Anderson as a brand. The Topshop collaboration isn't just a capsule collection, it is a whole way of living: from Anderson's recommended reading and music selections, to iPhone covers, J.W. Anderson pencils, notebooks and even sweets. As Anderson notes: "I love promotional products. I always loved that as a kid, like pencils with your name on. I went out to make a brand. I never went out to make a young designer". 

Paisley quilted skirt: £69.99

Blue shirt: £39.99

Box pleat denim skirt: £39.99

Loafers: £59.99

Striped dress: £39.99

Quilted paisley top: £59.99

Images: Topshop and you can buy the items here.

Images: my own

J.W. Anderson

Fashion brand J.W Anderson is a name to watch this year. The British Fashion Council's NEWGEN sponsorship programme, supported by Topshop has been offering financial and mentoring help to promising designers since 1993. Yesterday it was announced that the 17 recipients of NEWGEN's sponsorship included up and coming names; David Koma, Louise Gray, Holly Fulton and Michael van der Ham. J.W Anderson has received a presentation sponsorship, with the likes of Christopher Raeburn, Craig Lawrence, Dominic Jones and Nasir Mazhar.

Images: J.W Andeson