LC:M - Belstaff A/W'15: Ton-Up Boys

The Belstaff Men’s autumn/winter ‘15 collection takes its inspiration from the ‘Ton-Up Boys’ of the 1950s. Heavily into their rock‘n’roll and motorcycles, these ‘greasers’ (as they would become known) would rendezvous at cafés and attempt to ‘do a ton’ (exceed speeds of 100mph) on their custom-made bikes. Fearless and reckless, they lived for the moment, redefining masculinity as they went.

The Ton-Up boys were initially influenced by Marlon Brando in the seminal 1953 movie The Wild One, in which he wore the now iconic Perfecto jacket. But they soon began putting their own very British twist on the look, adding elements of wax cotton riding kit, together with military surplus garments – two strong threads in Belstaff’s heritage – customising them as naturally as they did their bikes.

It is therefore fitting that Belstaff has chosen such an iconically British and petrol-fumed setting to present this collection: an underground car-park opposite the Houses of Parliament. A true celebration of the brand’s return its homeland, England.