SS14 Preview | Clarks and Bershka

Nothing beats a press day. A cheeky little drink on arrival and a sneak peek at what’s going to be hitting the shelves next season.

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This time around I had the pleasure of Clarks and Bershka’s Spring Summer 2014 collections. For me, I was most excited to check out the new range by Clarks. They’ve come a long way and have really upped their style game recently. Growing up, the British brand was synonymous with lack-lustre, unsexy and compliant school shoes. Not now! Over the past decade, the Clarks brand has evolved to become a leader for great value – yet stylish – high street footwear.

The SS14 collection did not disappoint. Block colour, contrast textiles and statement print all feature. I’m going particularly wild for their navy brogues with woven toe. Smart, quirky and wearable.

Not only did they showcase their SS14 collection, but also their boot for this season – a collaboration with Shoreditch based design duo, Patternity. The black desert boot is a modern take on the Clarks classic and features high gloss contrast geometric shapes. I love them. I need them now!

Moving swiftly from footwear, Spanish brand Bershka were on hand to add a summer twist to a whole host of menswear. With their SS14 tagline of ‘Meet me in Rio‘, the collection’s show stopping piece is a particularly eye-catching bomber jacket. With a navy body and floral sleeves, I’m pretty sure I’m going to see loads of guys rocking this bomber

In contrast to their flamboyant florals, the collection was – in general – pretty muted. Navy cottons and denim ensured that the collection was less about, “oh, hey, here’s my floral statement jacket,” and more about pieces that create a totally versatile spring summer capsule collection.

And finally, I moved myself over to some pretty eye-catching eyewear (awful pun, I apologise). London brand Bailey Nelson create beautiful frames – ready for your prescription – for a mere £98. I’m a sucker for a chunky pair of glasses. The bigger, the brighter, the more Dame Edna Everage meets Harry Potter, the better. Next stop, their flagship store in Covent Garden!

The SS14 collections will be in stores from early 2014.