Jacket Required premium menswear show is a trade only event, open exclusively to buyers and members of the press. Hosting an inspiring, carefully edited international line-up of contemporary casualwear across apparel, footwear, accessories and lifestyle product over two floors at The Old Truman Brewery, London.

You know the story so far. In the city of London – capital of art and aristocracy, culture and commerce, education and entertainment, tourism and transport, finance and fashion – premium menswear trade show Jacket Required found its home some five years ago. 

Launched in the summer of 2011 by industry protagonists Craig Ford and Mark Batista, Jacket Required was born out of an idea to strip away the traditional showmanship of exhibitions, and instead offer a line-up of curated brands, editing collections down to display product on a level platform with a simple, supporting set up. 

Now, in preparation for its eleventh edition, Jacket Required turns the page to the next chapter as it returns to Shoreditch this summer. A microcosm of concept stores, ground-breaking bars, exclusive eateries, coffee shops and contemporary cafes where, come sunny days, the connoisseurs of cool crowd on each and every corner, with a cold beer in hand courtesy of a traditional East End boozer. It’s this relaxed, yet considered style which translates across to the people who join within The Old Truman Brewery’s industrial white-washed space – as the trade show brings together a selection of emerging and established brands from around the globe, with buyers and members of the press and a mutual appreciation of an uncompromising commitment to content. 

“Content is key. It’s king,” says Mark Batista. “Since the very first edition of Jacket Required, our aim was to pull together the most pertinent brands, from the archetypes that have laid the foundations of menswear, our industry friends and those who have personally influenced us, while also picking out ones to watch – there’s always something new, innovative and inspiring to discover. Brands that make a great first impression, but also have staying power – those are the collections we welcome into our fashion family and look to present to the European market.” And it’s fair to say that, without Ford and Batista, many a menswear brand may never have been introduced into that market.

With apparel labels such as Levi’s Made & Crafted, Hartford, Alpha Industries, Edwin, Billionaire Boys Club, Wood Wood and Dickies; footwear favourites Saucony, Gourmet, Red Wing and Clarks Originals joining accessory brands Sandqvist, Il Bussetto and Porter Yoshida to present their spring/summer 2017 collections, Jacket Required stays true to its original vision as it continues to develop its recognisable voice at a conscious pace. Its narrative of brands across casualwear, sportswear, tailoring and streetwear are punctuated with complementary lifestyle product – all satisfying a mission to provide accessible luxury to the modern male.

“The diverse London men’s retail landscape increases in relevance season upon season,” says Craig Ford. “Our capital is a growing, interesting setting for buyers to visit and therefore brands to showcase – you can see some of the most exciting stores and best labels on the same trip as part of the international buying calendar. At Jacket Required, we continue to invite strong brands that are relevant to the market and which sit well together without overlap – we may now boast over 300 collections, but our collective energy stands strong and our style quota is still ever present.”

So, now it’s time for the show’s authors to continue its rewarding adventure. Set within a true destination for cutting-edge fashion, the London menswear trade show’s distinctive mix of brands and forward-thinking philosophy gives chapter and verse, with the promise that there is much more to come from the Jacket Required story.

To be continued...