Cole Buxton, the British menswear brand renowned for its minimalist yet sophisticated aesthetic, has quickly become a staple in contemporary streetwear and high-end fashion circles. Established by designer Cole Buxton, the label reflects an ethos of understated luxury, with each collection carefully crafted to showcase a fusion of classic silhouettes and modern sensibilities. While the brand’s designs are often defined by their clean lines, versatile color palettes, and elevated casualwear, the influences behind Cole Buxton’s collections are rooted in a blend of historical and contemporary style icons. These individuals have shaped the brand’s vision, inspiring its refined approach to fashion and helping it carve out a unique space in the industry. In this article, we’ll explore the key figures who have influenced Cole Buxton’s distinctive style and how their legacies continue to shape the collections today.
The Legacy of Sportswear Icons
colebuxtons.net design philosophy is often associated with the world of sportswear, and the influence of athletes—especially those who broke the mold of traditional sports fashion—cannot be understated. The late 20th century witnessed a shift in the way athletes dressed, with many adopting off-duty wardrobes that blurred the lines between sports gear and everyday fashion. This era brought about the rise of sportswear as a legitimate fashion category, and figures like Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan played pivotal roles in pushing the boundaries of athletic wear.
Muhammad Ali was not just a boxing legend but a cultural icon whose style transcended the sports arena. Ali’s distinctive, confident, and often playful approach to dressing inspired a generation of athletes and fashion enthusiasts alike. The boxer’s bold statement pieces, often incorporating casual yet luxurious designs, resonate with Cole Buxton’s ethos of blending street-ready comfort with a touch of elegance. This fusion of utility and luxury can be seen in Buxton’s designs, which take sportswear elements and elevate them through thoughtful construction, luxurious fabrics, and refined details.
Similarly, Michael Jordan, particularly through his collaborations with Nike and his own Air Jordan line, revolutionized the perception of sportswear. The Air Jordan sneaker, for example, became synonymous with street culture and luxury fashion, demonstrating how athletic wear could make a significant cultural impact. Jordan’s influence on Buxton’s work can be seen in the clean lines and athletic-inspired cuts of many of the brand’s pieces. Buxton’s take on athleisure merges traditional sportswear influences with a high-fashion sensibility, much like the way Jordan’s legacy helped transform basketball apparel into a high-status symbol.
The 90s Grunge and Minimalism Revival
The 1990s brought forth a resurgence of grunge and minimalist fashion, which continues to inspire contemporary designers, including Cole Buxton. The minimalist movement, led by designers like Helmut Lang and Jil Sander, reshaped the fashion landscape with a focus on simplicity, quality, and precision. Their work has undoubtedly influenced Buxton’s emphasis on clean lines and pared-back design, as the brand prioritizes the idea of “less is more.”
Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana, emerged as a style icon who personified the raw, unpolished aesthetics of the grunge movement. Cobain’s approach to fashion—characterized by oversized sweaters, ripped jeans, and flannel shirts—created a look that was rebellious, comfortable, and unpretentious. Though Cole Buxton’s designs are far more refined, the spirit of grunge and Cobain’s carefree attitude toward fashion can still be felt in Buxton’s approach. The use of loose-fitting, casual silhouettes in his collections echoes Cobain’s effortless style, while still maintaining a level of refinement that sets Buxton apart from the traditional grunge aesthetic.
On the other hand, Jil Sander and Helmut Lang, both of whom made their mark in the 90s minimalist movement, have influenced Buxton’s more tailored, subtle approach to streetwear. Sander’s ability to balance simplicity with sophistication has directly informed Cole Buxton’s own design ethos. Buxton’s streamlined silhouettes and careful attention to fabric choice are reminiscent of Sander’s sleek, no-frills aesthetic, which relies on quiet luxury rather than flashy logos or loud prints. Lang’s work, known for its innovation in casual and luxury wear, also provides a foundation for Buxton’s ability to merge high fashion with everyday wear.
Heritage Meets Modernity
Being a British brand, Cole Buxton naturally draws upon the rich legacy of British fashion icons, whose styles have shaped not only the fashion scene in the UK but globally. The style of British figures such as David Bowie, Paul Weller, and Alex Turner have been instrumental in shaping Buxton’s modern yet classic approach to design.
David Bowie, often hailed as one of the greatest style icons of all time, redefined menswear with his eclectic approach to fashion. From his glam rock days in the 1970s to his more refined, tailored looks in later years, Bowie’s ability to merge avant-garde style with a sense of traditional elegance resonates with Cole Buxton’s vision. Buxton’s clothing often reflects a balance of boldness and subtlety, much like Bowie’s own sartorial choices. The artist’s comfort with experimenting with silhouettes, colors, and textures has influenced Buxton to push boundaries while maintaining the grounded, minimalist style the brand is known for.
Paul Weller, the frontman of The Jam and later The Style Council, is another British style icon whose influence can be traced in Buxton’s collections. Weller’s sharp suits, mod-inspired looks, and impeccable tailoring are reflected in Cole Buxton’s use of clean, structured cuts. The ‘60s mod aesthetic, which Weller epitomized, has seen a resurgence in modern streetwear, and Buxton’s incorporation of tailored jackets, fitted trousers, and neutral color palettes speaks to this revival.
Alex Turner, frontman of the Arctic Monkeys, also stands as a figure whose style aligns with Buxton’s modern take on British cool. Turner’s effortlessly polished look—often combining classic tailoring with casual staples like t-shirts and leather jackets—has become emblematic of a new wave of British rockstar style. His relaxed yet refined aesthetic mirrors Cole Buxton’s own interpretation of laid-back luxury, where comfort is never sacrificed for style.
The Influence of Contemporary Streetwear Icons
While Buxton’s designs may be rooted in heritage and classic icons, the brand is also heavily influenced by the contemporary streetwear scene. Figures like Virgil Abloh and Kanye West have significantly impacted the way streetwear intersects with luxury fashion, and their influence is evident in Buxton’s collections.
Virgil Abloh, the late artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear and founder of Off-White, was instrumental in bringing streetwear into the high-fashion realm. His ability to blend street culture with luxury fashion has paved the way for designers like Buxton to experiment with incorporating streetwear elements—such as oversized fits, casual cuts, and athletic influences—into refined, high-end pieces. Abloh’s legacy continues to be felt in Buxton’s collaborations with other brands, as well as the incorporation of streetwear influences into his design approach.
Kanye West, known for his Yeezy brand, is another figure whose influence can be traced in Cole Buxton’s collections. West’s emphasis on creating minimal, utilitarian designs in neutral color palettes aligns closely with Buxton’s aesthetic. Kanye’s ability to blur the lines between streetwear and luxury fashion resonates with Buxton’s own approach, where comfort and sophistication coexist seamlessly.
Conclusion
Cole Buxton’s collections are a testament to the power of style icons in shaping the world of contemporary menswear. Whether drawing on the athletic elegance of Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan, the minimalist chic of Jil Sander and Kurt Cobain, or the British rock influence of David Bowie and Alex Turner, Buxton has created a brand that reflects the diverse and evolving nature of modern style. At its core, the brand captures the essence of timeless design, where influences from past and present converge to create something uniquely relevant for today’s fashion landscape. Through these iconic inspirations, Cole Buxton continues to redefine what it means to dress with purpose, blending heritage, luxury, and streetwear into a cohesive vision for the future.
