In what has been a year of coups for the Brits, noted ex-pat Tom Ford will show his men's collection for the first time in London during the second London Collections: Men, running from January 7-9.

The designer will host the show at his London headquarters in Westminster with his signature suits hitting the sales floor around the same time Ford opens his first British flagship store.

Ford's involvement represents London Collections: Men's growing profile under British GQ editor Dylan Jones, who has recently been named the event's ongoing chair by the British Fashion Council.

Together with the BFC, Jones will  work to stage LC:M twice a year. January's event falls directly before Pitti Immagine Uomo in Florence, which runs from January 8-11.

The inaugural mens week was far more successful than any of us anticipated," Jones said in a BFC statement, "and we have been overwhelmed by support and enthusiasm for the project. LC:M has already contributed to the changing perception of mens wear in this country and our plans for the next week in January, and beyond, will hopefully build on this. [WWD]