Top image: Matthew Miller SS19 moodboard

Last season Matthew Miller shook up the traditional catwalk format and left our ears ringing. Recruiting Brighton bands White Room and Strange Cages, and Ekeno, a Grime poet from Tottenham, the London-based designer put on a three-bill gig that reverberated under the East London railway arches.

“The militant youth brigades will rise up and reclaim consent,” read the collection’s accompanying press release. A statement of intent if ever there was one – remember, this was in January 2018, when the anger of Brexit, Trump and a backfiring Tory-initiated election still burned fresh.

We’re now in June and Miller is looking ahead, to the realms of underground futurism to be precise. But this world isn’t so far away – “Resources are finite and finally technology is catching up in the fashion world” – so this designer is quietly preparing; working new technological developments into his SS19 collection and reworking unwanted garments into new. The end is neigh, please pick up your survival uniform from Mr Matthew Miller.

What’s been on your mind for SS19?
“Paradise Lost, the Poem by 17th century English poet John Milton, and it’s relevance now.”

Any particular reference points/things happening that have influenced the collection?
“I think my own discoveries in the world have influenced the collection, I’ve been playing with a new technology that can change unwanted garments into a new state, I then re-spin this, reweave it and create a completely new garment. Resources are finite and finally technology is catching up in the fashion world. The future is now.”

Last season you showed your collection as part of a gig, how was that from your point of view? Your going back to a runway show this season?
“Last season I had so many fashion projects on that a change was needed to challenge myself. It was a great experience to put on a gig and I think it’s something everyone should try once. Although, if you think model agents can be difficult, try working with music agents!”

What’s the overriding feeling for the collection?
“Underground futurism.”