LABEL LOVER

At just 27, Grace Wales Bonner has already proven herself to be a serious force in fashion. Born in London to an English mother and Jamaican father, she launched her menswear label shortly after graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2014. The collection was met with critical acclaim and saw her awarded Emerging Menswear Designer at the British Fashion Awards in 2015 and the LVMH Young Designer Prize in 2016. Bonner is a highly intellectual designer, with inspiration from literature and historical sources apparent in the composition and message of her clothes. Her first show, for example, was marked by a display of military details and shell embellishments inspired by an exploration of the crowning of Haile Selassie as emperor of Ethiopia in 1930. In an industry where few black designers have gained international recognition, Bonner’s work stands out, not only for her pristine tailoring but also for its relevance at a time when critics are calling for greater diversity and gender-neutral dressing. Whether it is a figure-fitting leather suit or a crisp linen shirt, Bonner’s simple yet precise silhouettes make her clothes alluring for women as well as men, which has led her to incorporate womenswear in her recent seasons. Wales Bonner is available online at Matches Fashion.