David Hart has consistently created menswear collections that are accessible and speak to how American male consumers want to dress. Whether he is drawing inspiration from Miami’s nightlife of the 1950s or the American Southwest or last season’s early 70s—which is having resurgence in Hollywood. Did anyone see “Dolemite” or “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”?—Hart’s menswear point of view is always on the pulse of how the American male consumer wants to dress and celebrates masculinity.
Which is why it is unfortunate that he is not getting more industry recognition and press. Still, David Hart soldiers on, always coming up with a re-interpretation of American classics. And his re-imagining American menswear is what he is really good at.
For his fall 2020 collection, Hart looked to Maurizio Cattelan, an Italian surrealist artist, who creates satirical works are based on things and images who all know and sometimes love—Pinocchio, the Pope, Adolf Hitler. Hart took this satirical and absurdist expression and funneled it through American classic menswear.
In this collection, Hart re-interprets a Western shirt, a pilot jacket, and tweed blazers, coats, and capes, leather jackets, and cardigan sweaters in a way that conjures up images of bygone eras, but also in ways that are attractive to current consumers. Hart’s relaxed way of dressing the American male consumers is based on Hart’s acknowledgment of the American male’s need for stylish comfort paired with a particular desire for masculine charm. Now that desire for masculine charm has evolved over time to include floral embellishments and some feminine silhouettes approached with a masculine sensibility. Still, an American masculine sensibility has evolved to include myriad points of view, and Hart ingeniously injects a significant amount of these perspectives successfully in this collection.
Images courtesy of vogue.com
There is almost something for every man in this collection. Whether that guy is looking for a stylish suit, relaxed, casual sportswear or a collegiate-inspired garment, it is all here. Which is surprisingly in that this collection contains only 11 looks.
David Hart can check off another winner collection this season. And with some many wins, the time is ripe for market dominance!!
—William S. Gooch
Speak Your Mind