American designer Thomas Engel Hart is certainly back on the menswear radar. Originally launching his menswear line in 2001 his collection resonated globally for its exquisite tailoring and leftfield approach to design. Putting the collection on hold to design Mugler Homme in 2005, Hart re-launched his own name collection in 2008. For his third season since the re-launch Hart decided to create a film to define his new spring / summer collection. Model casting has always been a distinctive pull to Hart's aesthetic and the film depicts the accustomed sinewy youth wearing a signature leather jacket and deconstructed wool vest. Despite the film avoiding literal presentations of several looks, the characteristic nonchalance, adolescence and eccentric characters are all clearly evident. These elements are integral to the modernity of Hart's communication and aesthetic and this film effectively sends the furtive Hart message. Adapting his design concepts to moving image is a natural progression for a designer whose ideas are always at the forefront of innovation and radical thinking. Thomas Engel Hart has a dedicated pack of fashion followers and the new film and collection will do nothing to his taint his image.

Report by Hywel Davies on 27 June 2009.