Palmer//Harding AW12 Collection

The shirt, often neglected and overshadowed, has been revived by palmer//harding (a London-based men's and women's designer label) and transformed into a sophisticated and sculpted garment, encompassing a quiet, intelligent beauty.

Autumn/Winter 2012 marries a juxtaposition of the sculptural and the fluid; soft draping meets the structural boldness of Bruno Walpoth's wooden sculptures, creating a garment that is beautifully sculpted against and away from the body. Sensualality is introduced through ease, movement and a tactile contrast of subtle textures with a romance that references the photographs of George Platt Lynes.

For A/W12, the shirt has been elongated and exaggerated. The expected has evolved. Relaxed shirt-tails lengthen the silhouette to evoke a grungy undertone and outerwear fabrications are introduced, all the while maintaining the shirt at the heart of each design.

The duo have recently been profiled in American Vogue, British Vogue, Bon International, Drapers and The Independent, and will be presenting their second season at London Fashion Week.

Palmer//Harding have been part of the NEWGEN (sponsored by Topshop) scheme since the launch of their ss12 collection. The scheme has previously mentored brands such as Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, and Erdem. Prior to their debut, the duo were nominated for the 2011 ANDAM award in Paris.

The label was launched by Levi Palmer and Matthew Harding in early 2011. Palmer (born in Texas) studied womenswear and patterncutting in Dallas before continuing his education at Central Saint Martins, graduating from the BA menswear course in 2009. Harding (born in London) studied womenswear BA and MA at Central Saint Martins, graduating in 2010.