This book is an essential guide to the process and practice of visual research for men's fashion design. It shows today's menswear designers how helpful and relevant the history of clothing and fashion is to their work in formulating innovative ideas as well as providing practical guidelines. New research and fresh insights, including interviews with some of the industry’s top practitioners, are presented here, with material ranging from vintage to cutting-edge, to inspire designers in their own work.

The book is divided into three sections:

•The research process underpinning the work of 10 designers, including Kim Jones for Louis Vuitton, Nigel Cabourn and Alexander McQueen.

•Research and inspiration: subjects covered include street style, heritage and uniform, as well as case studies to show how various established companies such as Levi’s, Barbour and Gieves & Hawkes might approach the design process. The more concept-led work of designers such as Christopher Shannon and Walter Van Beirendonck is also considered.

•Detailed case studies of various archetypal garments, the trench coat, the denim jacket and the parka among them. The clothing featured ranges from high-end catwalk to streetwear, and everything between.