Green wool karate-style suit, jacket, belt, and alternative short or long trousers. Katie Hillier and Luella Bartley for Marc by Marc Jacobs. February 2014.

Green cotton karate style suit, jacket with obi belt, and two pairs of trousers, one knee length and one long.

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:

"Karate jacket/short and long trousers – This is from the brief glory days of Katie Hillier and Luella Bartley in charge of Marc by Marc Jacobs. It was their first collection for the house, and they had shown this karate suit in cotton. Hillier is a friend of mine, and she asked if I wanted anything from the collection. I asked for the karate suit, and in the end they only produced it in wool. It’s an extraordinary piece, an example of the idea of “permanent adolescence” - that fashion is often pieces that are funny or fun, for those who never really want to grow up."

- Daniel Milford-Cottam
20/05/2016

T.109:1-4-2016