Influences from the French Riviera and an Indian elephant make their way into the British brand’s summer collection
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True to their lifestyle credentials, Ted Baker’s SS13 collection – at least as far as the prints are concerned – is influenced by a romantic and nostalgic take on the French Rivera. Few other geographical locations are as suitable for summer inspiration as this Mediterranean coastal stretch. On light cotton and linen fabrics, a colour palette of pastels contrast darker shades of blue and grey – perhaps symbolising a few passing rain clouds? Other than such dark moments, this season is a field day for nautical symbols, like rope braid trims and micro prints featuring yachts, and a few more playful animal prints that, admittedly, aren’t very French..
The trick is to be able to merge traditional garments with a laid back approach to a male 21st century wardrobe. Men want to look smart without taking themselves and their clothes too serious. Ted Baker has managed to strike that balance: “For all of these prints we have taken a classic design on a shirt such as a stripe, chambray or spot and given it a Ted twist with a flower or fishing fly,” says Ted Baker, who goes on to give us a run down of three of the best print stories this season…
“The fly print is part of our tight lines collection where inspiration is taken from fly-fishing. Ted is an avid fisherman and believes one should always dapper, even when fishing.”.
“The stripe is a classic woven design to give it a fresh take for summer – Ted has put a small violet flower repeat over the stripe. This shirt is a classic Ted Baker, with the unusual use of floral.”
The SS13 colour palette also took influence from India with greyed off pastels which are seen across the collection. This led to the elephant motif being designed – a charming addition to a chambray shirt!”
Read our interview with Ted Baker’s founder, Ray Kelvin, here
