Christopher Shannon. Half and half sweater, early 2010s.

Grey and maroon sweater designed in two halves, grey side plain, maroon side with half a cartoon face. Red stitching around neckline. Maroon side is hemmed two inches shorter than grey side. Seamed front and back.

Given by Charlie Porter

This is part of a group of early 2010s menswear donated to the V&A by Charlie Porter, one of the most influential British menswear fashion journalists of the early 21st century. In 2000 Porter became deputy fashion editor for The Guardian, and since then, has worked as an associate editor for GQ and deputy editor for Fantastic Man. He currently writes for The Financial Times as their menswear critic, in addition to his freelance work, DJ-ing and maintaining an active blogging presence online. Porter is particularly known for his understanding of contemporary menswear and familiarity with developing streetwear and alternative trends.

At the time of the donation, Porter provided commentary on many of the pieces. He said of this piece:

"Half/half intarsia – This sweater is one of my favourite pieces that Shannon ever designed. There’s such extraordinary tension to the way the naïve smiley face is cut down the middle, the dull grey sweater a slightly longer size to make the intervention seem even more blunt and brutal. It speaks of the adult attachment to childish things, especially in the age of the emoji, and how in reality their easy optimism can be dashed."

- Daniel Milford-Cottam
20/05/2016

T.89-2015