The One and Only

In an act of camaraderie towards those of us who will never stop drooling over men in dark denim and leather jackets, Danish fashion company Bestseller introduced its ‘bad boy’ menswear line, Only & Sons to the Irish market this month. 
The welcoming party came in the form of an intimate fashion festival in Dublin where Bestseller previewed the autumn/winter 2014 collections for all of its brands, including Jack and Jones and Vero Moda. Top models participating included Roz Purcell, Karen FitzPatrick, Sarah Kavanagh and Lynn Kelly. Hosting the event were Glenda Gilson and Mike Sheridan.
Brand manager Thomas Bæch said Only & Sons took inspiration from rock and roll culture and photo-sharing site Instagram. 
 “Only & Sons has a purpose in the Bestseller family. It can really offer something different,” he revealed. “It’s a little more daring.” 
Apparently, Irish lads like what they see. Bæch was happy with the Irish market’s positive response to the brand. “It’s very difficult to put an age or type on the Only & Son consumer,” he explained. “We are following the rhythm of the day or the mood or the customer.”
Bæch revealed that Bestseller pays close attention to the fashions on view at festivals such as Denmark’s Roskilde with the dark, torn and worn denim look an ideal fit for those attending Irish equivalents, such as at Electric Picnic.” 
Compared to Bestseller’s other brands, Only & Sons has a more ‘street’ finish but still maintains a level of refinement, looking equal parts tailored and tough. Glen Murphy, a model in the Bestseller show, described the Only & Sons clothing as everyday pieces he could wear in the street but also to professional interviews.
“The looks are very smart but keep to the trends as well,” he explained. 
The autumn/winter lines featured a military-style khaki trench over dark, rolled-up jeans as well as structured sweaters and button downs. Colours ranged from lusciously dark steely blues against white accents to an autumnal rust tone. The pieces are meant to be paired with beanies, Converse or boots and (judging by several of the four models) some array of facial hair.  
Love/Hate actress Aoibhinn McGinnity raved about a fringe leather jacket from another of Bestseller’s ranges, Y.A.S., and used her phone to take photos of the new lines so she could remember them later.
After the models walked their walks, Featuring X, Travis Oaks and The Riptide Movement set up stage and performed at the end of the catwalk. An appropriately rock and roll ending to a night that introduced Bestseller’s music-inspired line to the Irish market.  To sum things up—long live Irish acts and long live men outfitted in style and “scruff”. 

View photographer Amber Nixon's full gallery HERE