A Bit of Rough
The Fash-Chav
By John William

Fashion LOVES a bit of rough. The way those fashion poofs go mad for a lanky youth in nylon. Shellsuits, caps, tube socks, three stripes, ticks. Think Dappy by way of Goldie Lookin’ Chain. Full immersion in Burberry check and CK cologne. Elizabeth Duke for Argos. Three litre bottles of White Ace. Chavtastic. Av it.

Fashion loves extremes and for many men who find themselves working in Jo Malone fragranced offices, tapping manicured fingers on the shiny surface of a gifted iPad… all they can think about is being held in the sweaty half nelson of an ASBO carrying Kappa-clad scallywag. Fashion people crave contrast from their cushioned cab driven lives. As the chav-chaser steps into another Add Lee between shows: they really seek the thrill of a joyride in a stolen Ford Cortina, the tang of Red Bull on the throat and the chill of gold sovereigns decorating white knuckles. Some of them even start dressing the part, although the fash-chav bears as much resemblance to the real thing as Madonna does to her religious namesake. It’s always put together as camp as anything you see… an unsubtle uniform that could be the 7th costume of the Village People. Perhaps if fashion people just tried to keep it a bit real-er they wouldn’t need to resort to such stereotypes?

Seasonal Ref: This season the fash-chav was proud as punch on the catwalk. The most novel take being Riccardo Tisci’s Givenchy boy who had chav’s best friend the Rottweiler printed all over his gear. The snarling prints were paired with thigh high boxing boots, silky shorts and check shirts. Rough-rough! Paul Beckett, LCF MA menswear student showed a collection that reworked all the chav classics (micro shorts, hoodies, tracky bottoms) in luxury fabrics and beautiful finishes, all accessorised with white sports socks and leather caps. You can take the boy out of Liverpool…

Must Have: A statement dog on a leash/print. An ASBO. To be seasoned with liberal helpings of gold.