Farah x Bianca Saunders SS22 launches in Selfridges with pop-up installation

A Farah x Bianca Saunders SS22 collaboration collection pop-up installation has today launched in the menswear atrium at Selfridges.

The distinctive installation space showcases the 'Uptown Top Ranking' collaboration, which is a continuation of Farah’s support for emerging young British designers. It sees Saunders’ menswear vision reimagining Farah’s extensive archive into modern, contemporary designs, including safari jackets, knits, graphic Tees and polos with a nod to 1970’s Caribbean subculture.

Selfridges Men’s Designer and Accessories Buyer, Yasmin Mehmet, said: “We're so excited to launch Bianca Saunders SS22 collection at Selfridges as well as giving our customers an exclusive opportunity to see the Farah collaboration before anyone else.

“An inspiring collection, Bianca has taken her signature cuts and silhouettes and applied them to Farah's rich archive. The tonal matching knitwear sets are definitely our favourite pieces and will really resonate with our customers.”

Global Head of Design and Concept at Farah, Chris O’Brien, commented: “We are really excited to collaborate with Bianca. Her exploration of male identity through style and subculture is what the Farah brand stands for. Celebrating her Caribbean heritage and the music of a decade that inspired so many movements with modern adaptations that still hold true to both brands, is the makings of a wonderful collaboration.”

‘The FaraPress’ was Saunders’ initial source of research, as well as focusing on male subcultures from the 1970’s. Pulling from personal and musical sources, the title of the collection was inspired by Althea & Donna's 1978 track ‘Uptown Top Ranking’, which describes how a Jamaican man would dress himself up as he heads to the city to show off.

From album covers to family photos of her uncles, the collection is a homage to confident men in Saunders’ life with their neatly pressed, ironed-out crease trousers. A celebration of men who prided themselves on polished dressing is the true vision for the collection.

Saunders said: “Collaborating with Farah has allowed me to continue to explore what I love - the nuances of masculinity together with the influences of my Caribbean heritage. Going deep into the Farah archives, and finding ways to push forward the signature cuts and silhouettes of the brand with my own transformative techniques, has been a real honour.”