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Photos by Loncholn Ferguson
One of the charms of STYLEAID is the wave of new talent it uncovers, and this year is no different. Among the short yet sharp list of emerging designer labels stands Perth born and bred fashion stylist Lincoln Ferguson and his new range of men’s intimates, known simply as LINCOLN.
LINCOLN offers an array of essential undergarments with extra depth and a dash of must have classics as well as some further afield items. The collection covers such basics as Y-fronts, boxers, plain jocks, trunks, thermal singlets, loose singlets and hoodies. Add to this long johns, tights, shorts, ’70s inspired matching twin set hoodies and Y-fronts – done in terry towelling – plus Ferguson’s twist on the classic business shirt, and you have a range that not only offers some fun fundamentals, but also an array of quirkier, more old school options.
‘Men’s underwear has just gone through the roof in the last five years,’ said Ferguson in a recent interview with OUTinPerth, ‘but I just really wanted to take it back to basics and work at getting good comfortable cuts. A lot of underwear, from my research, looks good but the fabrics don’t hold their shape or last that long. I wanted to create some great pieces that would last and become old classic favourites.’
Ferguson took Australian cinematic classic Puberty Blues as the inspiration for this collection and states that through his clothes he wanted items that invoked memories of people’s childhood, but with a sophisticated twist to it. While Hedi Slimane, the driving force behind Dior Homme, is Ferguson’s main inspiration, he stresses that the label LINCOLN itself has the simplicity and accessibility of American Apparel.
‘I wanted something that’s quintessentially Australian yet with an international feel. I wanted it to be underwear but with a fashion element, a fashion eye.’
While his range is about capturing an intimate moment, it is a moment he is happy to share with a West Australian audience, when the range debuts at STYLEAID before the label officially launches this coming spring.
‘It’s an honour,’ Ferguson said of his coming involvement in STYLEAID. ‘I believe they [Mark Reid and Aly May] do a wonderful job in promoting Australian designers. For me, I really appreciate the opportunity of being given another role as a designer.’
LINCOLN debuts as part of STYLEAID’s Hawaiian Emerging Designers section on July 18 at the Perth Convention Centre. Tickets available online from www.styleaid.com.au/2008/. In the meantime, stay tuned to OUTFashion for the highly anticipated launch of LINCOLN this coming spring.
