The Brits Are Here!!

Sir Tom Baker, Alexander McQueen, Temperley of London and Matthew Williamson are all recognizable British brands that American consumers can purchase at major American retail stores. However, the queen of avant-garde British fashion, Vivienne Westwood, has never had a presence in NYC. Well, that is all about to change. Any Old Iron, NYC’s quintessential men’s boutique for cutting edge, British fashion, will be carrying Westwood’s spring 2012 men’s collection in its lower eastside store. “When Vivienne opened her showroom and store in Los Angeles some months ago, I jumped at the chance to carry some of her menswear, says Any Old Iron proprietor,” Andrew Clancy. “Her brand is doing so well in LA, that I knew the collection would be a surefire hit in NYC … There will be a mixture of footwear, tee shirts, and knits and suits, as well as pieces from her collaboration with Lee Jeans.”

Any Old Iron carries an eclectic mix of British brands from Child of the Jago to Trevor Bolangaro to Sir Tom Baker. With the acquisition of Westwood, Any Old Iron is expanding its inventory to include more established British designers, as well as some womenswear brands.

Clancy’s affection for Westwood goes back to his love of the brand and years of working as a stylist in London. “Every season I purchase pieces from Westwood’s collection for my personal wardrobe.   And though this collection is a little more commercial than in past seasons, this season Westwood really upped the volume when it came to fabrication and details,” says Clancy.

Though Westwood’s spring 2012 collection does give a slight nod to the upcoming 2012 London Olympics, Clancy has chosen to carry pieces that are more in the vein of what American male consumers will want in their wardrobe. “Initially, I was a little worried if the 2012 Olympic reference would register with American consumers, so I kind of stayed away from pieces that heavily reference the Olympics. I stayed with the pieces that incorporated the gold laurels because that motif doesn’t necessarily conjure up the 2012 Olympics.” “American guys really like British military symbols, so I believe consumers will love the tee shirts and the British regalia on the garments; which is unusual for Westwood because she is more of a Francophile,” continues Clancy.

Westwood’s spring 2012 men’s collection arrives in Any Old Iron February and March.

—William S. Gooch