Parr for Course

>> Martin Fucking Parr.  That’s exactly how I was intoning Parr’s name as I bounded up the stairs to the car park at the back of Selfridges, where Henry Holland presented his debut collection entitled “Season 001” an ode to this brilliant photographer.  Say what you want about Holland’s credentials as a finger quotation mark “serious” designer but you can’t deny that he’s got his retail head firmly screwed on when it comes to getting actual clothes out there into the real world.  This collection is immediately available to buy on his own e-commerce website as well as on Selfridges and Opening Ceremony to combat the deluge of comments on Instagram, wondering when and where they can get their hands on a “Your Banter is Bullshit” tee or a “Lad Legend Lover” shirt.

And of course, Holland has collaborated with the legend that is Martin Fucking Parr, both in a capsule collection of printed pieces that feature Parr’s photographs (egg sarnies, chip shop signage, beer bellies and busty Brits on the beach) and also in a series of look book images shot in Holland’s hometown of Ramsbottom.  They’re shot with Parr’s signature dose of wry observation of British culture which segues nicely with Holland’s own cheeky chappy take on lad and football culture.  These sort of collections do feel like ten a penny on London’s menswear scene but the combination of Holland’s own Northern upbringing and Parr’s photography together makes for an more authentic rendition of the lad experience, especially when paired with a sweet little short film by Hamish Stephenson.  In a season of LC:M where designers seemed to be reflecting on their trajectories in a sombre way, HoH’s debut was actually a pleasingly fun respite.