Menswear

Custo Barcelona Spring 2017

September 12, 2016 by admin 1 Comment

For Dalmau Custo more is more; particularly with the Custo Barcelona’s spring 2017. But than again, more is always more with this brand.

Industry professionals have come to expect “the more is more” fashion dictum from Custo Barcelona. Season after season, Custo Barcelona has excited customers and industry professionals with collections that demonstrated design acuity, bold color and lots of fabric combinations. So, one wonders how far Dalmau Custo will go with “more is more” fashion inspiration this season.

That said, Dalmau Custo went a lot of places with his “more is more.” Sometimes he went in the right direction, other times the piling on of ideas needed to be rethought. And though one would think Custo’s “more is more” would work best in the brand’s women’s wear garments, the brand’s “way more” worker much better with the men’s wear looks.

Custo Barcelona’s “more is more” aesthetic is evidenced in more elaborate textures, more hand sewn items, more wealth of materials, more creativity, and looks that exuded more power. That said; there appeared to be a70’s nightlife aesthetic throughout the collection. This point of view worked best in the over-the-top pieces, but in the more subdued garments some of the fabric and color combinations were incongruent and overwhelming. Perhaps, “less is more” would’ve worked in for some of the garments.

What worked best in this collection were the separates that could have been mixed and matched with other pieces in the collection or items already in wardrobes. Placing emphasis on separates has been a very good projection for Custo Barcelona in recent seasons. Not every consumer is brave enough to wear many of the bold pieces in Custo Barcelona collections each season.

Images courtesy of vogue.com

Still, it is debatable if this “more is more” fashion dictum is a step forward for the brand. Better luck next season!!

—William S. Gooch

Berenik Spring 2017

September 12, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

The athleisure wear trend has been around for several seasons, and though many brands have attempted to inject this dressed-down trend into their collections, Berenik has perhaps adapted athleisure wear to their design aesthetic better than any brand up to this point. Always known as a brand that pushed the proverbial fashion envelope, this season Berenik aimed for more retail viability. And this effort worked!!

Inspired by Veronika Brusa’s transcendent, meditative abstract paintings, Berenik, using a digital cloudscape print by Jack Hardwicke has infused the brand’s DNA of loose-fitting clothes with an interesting hodgepodge of meditative images and projections to inform a spring 2017 collection that goes beyond typical athleisure wear fare. This collection is more than an assemblage of garments that reflect millenials’ penchant for comfort and destination over style and sophistication, but a collection that expands the athleisure wear genre’s scope and style vernacular.

Berenik is proving that in this collection that athleisure wear can be chic, as well as promote ease of movement. And that the style genre can be infused with some tailoring and layering that speaks to a deeper conversation on what millenials might wear.

This is particularly evident in some of the men’s pieces that conjured images of early 70s rockers. And some of the runners’ shorts and jogging suits also gave a nod to mid-70s style.

Though the more translucent and sheer garments hinted at a kind of slouchy sexiness, overall most of the garments in this spring 2017 collection leaned more toward androgyny. And isn’t this where fashion is heading, projecting, supporting, and merging concepts of masculinity and femininity in a society where gender norms are not only being questioned, but also challenged. (Just examine some of the male models in the show, who were not androgyny in appearance, but also gender bending in attitude and pose.)

Images courtesy of Fernando Colon/Omen PR

If there was one downside to this outing is the lack of showstopper garments that could go viral on social media. Still, Berenik is not that kind of fashion brand. Berenik is a brand that is pushing the boundaries of fashion, and this season the brand has made its design aesthetic more retail friendly.

—William S. Gooch

Blake Hyland Spring 2017

September 11, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Blake Hyland has a reputation for outrageous clothes, and conceptual and deconstructed pieces made from recycled materials. For his spring 2017 collection Hyland focused on more practical wearable clothes while still maintaining his unique aesthetic. The results were stunning.

Though this is Hyland’s first time showing during New York Fashion Week, Hyland’s spring 2017 collection is his third collection. “I’m just trying to concentrate on making a more wearable collection for the majority of people but still having elements that are true to me and my style.” Hyland told Fashion Reverie.

For the spring 2017 collection, entitled, “Equality,” Hyland used black, white and varying shades of grey. Hyland combined these graphic, neutral colors to create dramatic eye-catching geometric shapes. Although the collection was clearly casual street wear, Hyland did uniquely juxtapose street culture against athletic wear, in other words athleisure wear. Hyland spoke of his influences “I grew up in a world of surfing and skateboarding, it seems to work its way into the clothes I design.”

After using black, white and grey, the final four looks incorporated red to make strong political statements that were unfortunately undercut by some questionable styling choices. One model’s long dark hair fell over the words on her chest, obscuring the message. Another had a hoodie layered over his political tee that featured Hilary Clinton—perhaps vomiting? It’s unclear.

The final look consisted of graphic tee of a washed out image of Donald Trump with “Erase the disgrace” in red type along with a black beret evoking memories of the 1968 student riots in France. The graphic elements combined with Hyland’s fabrics choices of silk, snakeskin, and linen, resulted in chic, dramatic and elegant pieces that were easy to wear that makes statements that are understood universally.

Images courtesy of OMEN PR

While the crushing heat at the venue was reminiscent of Kanye West’s disastrous show on Roosevelt Island during the previous week, an audience member was clearly overheard saying, “This is what Kanye’s clothes would look like if Kanye was a really good designer.” Well put!!

—Cameron Grey Rose

Telfar Spring 2017

September 9, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Everyone has heard the oft-bandied adage, “Less is more.” This simplicity dictum that has been one of the tried-and-true principles of great fashion also applies to Telfar’s spring 2017 collection. Except, there is one hitch. Perhaps, Telfar’s spring 2017 collection should hinge on the not often heard or spoken fashion adage, “Less is deceptively more.”

Every season Telfar continues its signature design aesthetic of taken well-worn American sportswear silhouettes and turning these silhouettes inside out. In other words, creative director Telfar Clemens deconstructs and adds his eclectic twist on classics, reimaging these looks as functional and wearable garments of the future.

What works so well in this season’s collection is that Telfar Clemens injects a bit of tongue-and-cheek humor into each garment. The classic polo shirt becomes a commentary on gender bending, awkward sexiness. From the front the polo shirts look no different than the average polo shirt, except that collar may appear to be on backward. However the back of the polo shirt could be a total reveal, dipping to regions unknown or at the very least regions not talked about in polite company.

The continuing trend of cutouts also pops up in this spring 2017 collection. However, Telfar, true to his brand DNA, uses cutouts in an innovative and interesting way. There are no cutouts on the sides of bodices, as seen in most collections. Instead, Telfar’s cutouts are fleshed out, so to speak, in unusual locations. There are cutouts in the side legs of jeans, around the shoulder blades of polo shirts, and just above the chest of polo shirts.

And in a nod to the sameness and blandness of big retail giant colors, the brand makes use of what it calls Martha Stewart and Old Navy colors—lime, tangerine, and mid-grad blue bold colors. It was a though Willy Wonka’s ‘oompah loompahs’ fell into a bucket of Home Depot paint!!

That said; the inside joke is on the fashion industry that sometimes pretends to value fashion above clothes, but in reality mostly cares about retail dollars. So, Telfar sarcastically plays with this hypocrisy while at the same time repurposing some standard silhouettes into his version of fashion.

Images courtesy of vogue.com

That’s right; clothes, which look, like fashion and are creatively fashionable!! In the words of Telfar Clemons, “Its not for you, It’s for everyone.”

—William S. Gooch

David Hart x Hart Schaffner Marx Spring 2017

July 15, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Regardless of emerging men’s silhouettes that mix feminine and masculine elements, men’s traditional suiting is still the most popular male silhouette on the market. And the David Hart collaboration with Hart Schaffner Marx continues that tradition.

David Hart has shown consistent at New York Fashion: Men’s for several season now—first coming to fashion week prominence under the New York Fashion Week Men’s Day by Cadillac auspice—and he is known for a sophisticated style that pulls inspiration from classic male silhouettes of the 50s and 60s. (David Hart’s spring 2015 collection comes to mind inspired by Miami nightlife of the 1950s.)

For spring 2017 the David Hart x Hart Schaffner Marx collaboration drew inspiration from iconic environmental photography of Slim Aarons. For those not familiar with Slim Aarons, Aarons established himself as a photographer who shot celebrities of the 50s and 60s in easy, casual environments in formal clothes. Aarons most famous photograph is the 1957 Kings of Hollywood depicting Clark Gable, James Stewart, Van Heflin and Gary Cooper.

This collection is reminiscent of trips to the Maldives, Mustique, Palm Beach, and Provence in the 1960s. Imagine the 60s Brat Pack of Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Peter Lawford seen through a modern lens of sharp, color suit jackets and palm-printed slacks and you will understand the direction of this collection.

Images courtesy of fashionreverie.com/Ken Jones

This David Hart x Hart Schaffner Marx collaboration does not break any new ground, and it doesn’t need to. It is beautiful men’s suiting in bold colors for beauty’s sake, and that is enough. And where in the past some consumers who have shied away from some of the bold, vibrant colors used in this collection, the modern male consumer is not so shy. And that is a good thing!!

—William S. Gooch

Eidos Spring 2017

July 15, 2016 by admin 2 Comments

For spring 2017 Eidos creative director Antonio Ciongoli looked to India, and more specifically Bar Palladio, a cultural hub where varied influences meet, and Bagru, a city outside of New Delhi where inhabitants use ancient textile techniques to create incredible fabrics by hand. This ‘Bar Palladdio to Bagru’ inspiration has produced a spring 2017 collection that combines a fusion of traditional Indian textile techniques and modern influences. The ‘Bar Palladio to Bagru’ collection is an interesting departure for the Ciongoli/ISAIA team that usually finds inspiration from the rich textile traditions of Italy.

That said; this clash of seeming dissimilar influences of the ‘Bar Palladio to Bagru’ collection surprisingly works and has a lot of potential retail value. And the genius of this collection is in the different separates that can be mixed and matched with garments that are more standard menswear fare. The black herringbone jacket would work well with denim jeans; the linen knit Nehru jacket and be matched with a wide range of slacks, and even the yogi pants can work with a lightweight spring jacket.

And Ciongoli neutral palette of indigo blue, stonewashed ecru, and dusty tans make this collection have a wide appeal to international male consumers. Also marrying traditional male silhouettes with Nehru jackets, Monte and yogi pants demonstrate that modern male consumers can easily embrace this modern fusion of the old and new. Though we have seen the East meets West aesthetic before, Eidos presents this fashion cultural exchange in an innovative way.

Images courtesy of ISAIA

Standout looks in this collection include Eidos’ navy/cream barre stripe fleece double breasted shawl jacket, natural/indigo slub terry barre stripe crewneck, hand dyed natural indigo khadi dhoti by EIDOS x Stoffa, cream silk and linen double breasted evening suit, white tonal slub barre stripe band collar popover, natural madder and harkat dyed herringbone head wrap by EIDOS x Stoffa, and the dark iron linen suit, white slub jersey knit kurta.

—William S. Gooch

Nick Graham Spring 2017

July 15, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Samba dancers, tropical setting, carnival-like music conjures up images of Brazil, right? Well, not necessarily. For spring 2017 Nick Graham used these cultural references to give a nod to Cuba of the 1950s, the bacchanalian Cuba of glamorous nightclubs, decadence, gamblers, and playground of American high rollers. Behind this Cuban heyday was an undercurrent of change and Castro’s Cuban revolution.

“It was a fascinating period, with the Tropicana Club at the center of the action. Americans would come in droves and party like they couldn’t in the US,” explained Nick Graham. Once Havana fell, the Americans moved to Las Vegas, along with the showgirls and everything else that came with it.”

Like many menswear designers this season, Graham did not stray far away from traditional menswear silhouettes. Though we’ve seen all these looks before and consumers will love what Graham has done with reinventing the tried and true.

The beauty of this collection is in the presentation and the styling. And having top models Sebastian Suave, Chad White, Kevin Sampaio, and Nick Truelove added to the professionalism and momentum of the brand.

A few seasons back, after not presenting collections during New York Fashion Week, it appeared that the brand was in trouble, and it was!! However, Nick Graham has back with a vengeance and is proving that by staying true the brand’s DNA of post-prep seen through the lens of youthful exuberance that a revitalized brand does not have go outside of its design aesthetic to retain its audience and expand its base.

Images courtesy of Tommy Iannaccone/wwd.com

Graham reinvents the brand’s design aesthetic by using Madras sport coats and shorts to create the new “tropical suit” designed for stylish summer nights. Pulling from the images of the impending Cuban Revolution, Graham employs a hint of camouflage in blazers and accessories.

Standout looks in the collection include the skull-print sarong with cotton tank top and blue linen blazer, Camo blue baseball jacket with tee and blue jeans, and black paisley tuxedo jacket with black shirt and pants.

—William S. Gooch

Malan Breton Menswear Spring 2017

July 15, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Malan Breton has had a fashion epiphany. And it is about time!! After creating interesting collections for over a decade that sometimes bordered on outré unmarketable garments, Malan Breton finally hit the jackpot with his men’s spring 2017 collection. And he accomplished this feat without sacrificing the signature DNA of his brand. Remarkable indeed!

For spring 2017 Malan Breton was inspired by a nocturnal walk through the forest of Taiwan’s Orchid Island where flora and fauna flora frolic under the glistening starlight, particularly the exotic butterflies that are indigenous to Orchid Island. This rather contrived inspiration was paired with the secondary reference to the Academy Award–winning film “Alice’s Restaurant.”

Aptly titled “Severance,” which was defined in the collection’s liner notes as a division is two parts, is the rightful moniker for these two dissimilar ideas. That said; how the this two disparate motifs came together in Breton’s spring 2017 collection is beyond comprehension; however, the two polar opposites aside, Breton produced a spring 2017 collection that cohesively and retail viability-wise was leagues beyond other collections he has produced in past outings.

This spring 2017 menswear collection was current, innovative while still holding on to Malan Breton’s penchant for ornate brocade-like fabrics and stylings. And unlike other Malan Breton’s other collections where his fabric choices and overly styled presentation overshadowed the garments, this collection had just the right amount of glam, panache and modern sensibility. Well, most of the time!!

And Malan Breton’s choice of a mixture of silk jersey, silk gazar, neoprene, and denim, though seemingly not compatible bedfellows, was worked exquisitely innovative way in this outing. Bretion also ingeniously mixed in elements of sportswear with bold, gilded floral prints and Savile Row tailoring rendering the collection a modern take of luxury sportswear that could be an indication of where men’s luxury sportswear is going.

Images courtesy of Ken Jones/fashionreverie.com

And in true Malan Breton fashion there were a few garments with his initials emblazoned. Still, this overzealousness can be excused because the collection was so good!! Though the venue was as temperate as Dante’s hell, for those who could stand the heatwave, the collection was worth the perspiration!!

Standout looks in the collection were the deep forest print silk gazar Brady shirt with lemon chrome silk jersey Victory polo, deep forest print silk gazar River coat with neoprene and rubber bodysuit, Taiwanese reconstituted denim Brando jacket, and rose gold crest feather embroidered Marlene suit with cotton Francine shirt.

—William S. Gooch

Parke & Ronen Spring 2017

July 15, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Like many menswear brands this season, Parke & Ronen did not attempt to reinvent the wheel this time. Then again, Parke & Ronen never strays from their design asesthetic, and there is some comfort in that.

Every season fashion editors and consumers can rest assured that Parke & Ronen will present all-American sportswear for that consumer that is has a youthful projection and is in good shape. That is made evident in the choice of male models the brands choose every season. If any thing has changed over the last few seasons is Parke & Ronen’s idea of the sporty-guy-next-door has expanded to include men of color with dreads and untamed hair, as well as white models with an array of tattoos, beards and unruly hair. In that respect, Parke & Ronen is starting to embrace the way the world actually looks.

For spring 2017 the brand was inspired by a collegiate/Ivy League aesthetic as seen through the lens of six packs, defined torsos, and very fitted garments. The brand has used a varsity reference in the past; however, this season the reference contains a lot more bold colors and sea life prints. Parke & Ronen also employed some interesting color blocking in the collection.

What stood out most in this spring 2017 outing were the color-blocked varsity jackets paired with interesting array of prints. And where the previous collegiate-inspired collection was more focused on a very young consumer, this spring 2017 collection contained pieces that could be mixed and matched as separates that could work with other items in any man’s wardrobe, regardless of the consumers’ age.

Images courtesy of fashionreverie.com/Ken Jones

Standout looks in the collection are the brand’s Letterman “P” sweater in navy/cotton viscose, stretch Poplin shirt in navy tropical print, Boater stripe Blazer in steel blue cotton/nylon twill with peony printed Chambray shirt, color block knit polo in sky and ivory cotton/viscose with Derby track trouser in navy double-knit twill, and varsity squad jacket in canary palm print with cropped tailgate tee in Kelly multi.

—William S. Gooch

Coach Menswear Spring 2017

July 14, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

In its 75-year history Coach has gone through a lot of changes and has evolved from just an accessories companies known originally for its quality billfolds and wallets to a brand that has expanded to handbags and most recently ready-to-wear jackets and garments. Coach’s most illustrious alumni, Reed Krakoff, left the Coach helm to launch his own eponymous brand.

Stuart Vevers, hired in 2014, is the current creative director. And under his leadership Vevers has plunged Coach into new waters. Coach’s spring 2017 collection is ample evidence of this new direction; a new direction that is reaping annual profits of over $4.24 billion dollars.

The signature Coach aesthetic of easy, non-cluttered accessibility is still in place. Still, Vevers is seeking to push the brand in a more forward-thinking direction. For spring 2017 Vevers created the 1941 collection in honor of the year Coach came into existence.

Inspired by the tee shirt and iconic films that have identifiably American sportswear separates and wardrobe staples, “Rebel Without a Cause,” “My Private Idaho,” and even an episode from “The Twilight Zone” entitled “Black Leather Jackets,” Vevers pairs these looks with Coach’s signature look of American accessibility. Vevers additionally, has played with the idea of bringing customization to classic American sportswear items we all love; jeans, jacket, penny loafers and of course tee shirts.

Images courtesy of fashionreverie.com/Ken Jones

Coach’s brand of customization for the 1941 collection is made evident in penny loafers with studs, spray-painted black moto jackets, and jackets with badges. The question to be asked is if the Coach customer will go for this new evolved Coach. My bet is a resounding, yes!!

—William S. Gooch

Custo Barcelona Spring 2017

Berenik Spring 2017

Blake Hyland Spring 2017

Telfar Spring 2017

David Hart x Hart Schaffner Marx Spring 2017

Eidos Spring 2017

Nick Graham Spring 2017

Malan Breton Menswear Spring 2017

Parke & Ronen Spring 2017

Coach Menswear Spring 2017

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