In his penultimate collection for Dunhill, creative director John Ray celebrates the idiosyncratic character of English style.
In his penultimate collection for Dunhill, creative director John Ray celebrates the idiosyncratic character of English style.
The realm of menswear has been anything but sedate of late. Over the past few months, several celebrated creative designers have parted ways with their labels, following critically acclaimed stints reinvigorating said brands. Shortly after the announcements of the departures of Alessandro Sartori (Berluti), Brendan Mullane (Brioni) and Stefano Pilati (Ermenegildo Zegna), John Ray bid adieu to English heritage brand Dunhill.
Since joining Dunhill in 2012, the Scottish creative director has brought a fresh perspective to a quintessentially English brand whose history is steeped in motoring. His starting points have included the traveller who drives to the countryside for the weekend, and outfits that British scions might have sported on their Grand Tours of Europe in the 1800s.
For his Spring/Summer 2016 collection for Dunhill, Ray pays tribute to the eccentric qualities that bring a distinctive touch to English formal style. Muses ranging from actor David Niven to aristocrats Edward VIII and Prince Charles inspired ensembles such as morning coats accented with charmingly outsized boutonnieres, suits with stylishly mismatched checks, and Ray’s takes on the traditional club tie.
