Unveiling the Dance of Fashion with Saul Nash

Yesterday, Saul Nash, an alumnus of the Royal College of Arts and Central Saint Martins, concluded London Fashion Week with his steamy SS24 collection showcased at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Drawing from his Caribbean heritage and London upbringing, as well as his dance background, the acclaimed Woolmark prize winner crafted a compelling collection that seamlessly blends urban and coastal aesthetics, form and functionality, and sportswear and swimwear.

Saul Nash, 29, was born in North-East London to Caribbean and Indo-Mauritian parents. From a young age, Nash was drawn to dance, and as he grew older, he delved into various disciplines, including sewing and drawing. Initially, Nash pursued a degree in Performance Design and Practice at Central Saint Martins in 2015. However, he later received a scholarship to study MA Menswear at the Royal College of Art, graduating in 2018, which marked the beginning of his eponymous label. Over the past three years alone, Nash has garnered recognition through several prestigious awards in the fashion industry. These include winning the International Woolmark Prize, receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, and being named a semi-finalist for the LVMH Prize.

Much of Nash's work delves into sexuality, heritage, movement, form, and masculinity. His most celebrated collection is 'Twist', presented as a short film. Twist tells the story of a group of young men initially engaging in confrontational gestures, facing each other with intensity. However, the twist in the film's narrative lies not in the boys brandishing knives or guns, but rather in the embrace of the two group leaders, sharing a long, delicate, and beautiful kiss.

Nash perfectly captures the essence of the collection and film, stating "Often, when you see men in groups, there’s a preconceived idea of what you think of them. You don’t ever see the nuances and the in-betweens. So I wanted to evoke this twist in the film, where you expect one thing about these people, but through watching the film further, your ideas about them are completely lifted,”. Additionally, Nash expresses, "There’s been a lot of men around me who have subverted my idea of what they would think of my sexuality.” A sentiment likely to resonate with and be understood by many gay men.

With every collection, Saul Nash draws more attention towards the next generation of young British talent and moulds the future of fashion, beckoning us all to embrace the unexpected and rejoice in the variety of the human experience. As we bid farewell to another extraordinary London Fashion Week, we can only await the next chapter in Saul Nash's remarkable journey.