The Max ‘n Chester Fall Winter 2017 collection tells a sophisticated, compelling story based on the brand’s four pillars of fabric, design, silhouette, and comfort. This season reflects music’s influence on fashion through the decades, specifically the punk and grunge periods. Oversized sweaters and a palette of blacks and charcoals are a direct nod to that influence. Ultimately, the line reflects designer and founder Peter Trainor’s personal aesthetic. “What I wear is what I design. It’s the fabric that inspires me more than anything,” says Trainor. Incorporating bold new patterns and fabrications as well as introducing outerwear and sweater options for the first time, the designer says of the collection, “Anyone can look good in a suit, but fashion is about how you articulate yourself with the wardrobe that you have, and this collection gives the wearer the ability to do that.” The fall winter collection explores new silhouettes for both men and women, all working to achieve an effortless, elegant aesthetic for the confident wearer striving for individuality.
The men’s collection is the most vivacious yet, incorporating a lovely green color story with dark hunter greens, olives, and camels which prove to be a bright compliment to the blacks, charcoals, and navys that Max ‘n Chester notoriously utilizes in their fall winter collections. Pops of brown and burgundy also make surprise appearances as well as eye catching polka dot and striped suits. Buttery corduroy and faded camouflage come together in a military inspired jacket and an adventurous aztec-printed set give the men’s line a fresh look. Never before seen waist coats, painters shirts, and hunter jackets are strong additions to the classic blazers and pants that have become the brand’s trademark. Max ‘n Chester is known for using only the best Japanese sourced materials and this season they introduce mohair, moleskin, two-sided jersey, and wool bouqlet which are no exception to the rule. The collection is all about texture and layering, shirts have uneven hemlines and oversized sweaters are meant to be worn over blazers for a look unique to the brand. The fall winter 2017 men’s collection is the largest and strongest compilation yet from Max ‘n Chester.
For the fall/winter 2017 season, PRIVATE POLICY takes on the ever-changing landscape of modern globalization; by realizing that globalization has surpassed the “neighboring” relationship and moved into a “polycephaly” based relationship; a condition of having multiple heads conjoined to one body. These “heads” are meant to symbolize each nation’s unique beliefs, cultural identities and interests. The “one body” is a metaphor for a giant global system that can easily be affected by a single action taken by any other country. The “body” cannot survive without the “heads” collaboration, so the trouble of one area becomes the trouble of all.
This inspiration can mostly be seen throughout the collection with the use of collaging and graphic patterns. A biker jacket and cropped trouser combine bright graphics of other country’s flags to create an impactful centralized moment. Straps, chains and harness details promote the idea of multiple pieces being interconnected and the need for them to work together to function. The mixing of unconventional fabrics like velvet and denim further support the concept of opposites coming together; and the introduction of heavy canvases, quilting, and nylon hint at militarism which acknowledges the ever growing issue between war and government.
Chapter’s Spring/Summer 2017 collection draws, as in the past, on architectural themes, this time pitting the structure of architectural lines against the more fluid spirit of socialization and human interaction.
Uri Minkoff presented his Spring 2017 collection at NYMD with a performance that comments and focuses on the elasticity of time. “I am inspired by the idea of [time] slowing down and isolating key moments” – a thought that neatly encapsulates the process of social media to date, capturing key moments, slowing them down and presenting them in an individual context.
As the only Mexican designer being featured at New York Fashion Week Men’s, Ricardo Seco’s Fall/Winter 2016 collection focuses on contemporary Mexico while drawing inspiration from the country’s bold and unique culture and history. Stark, dramatic black provides a foundation upon which Seco builds a vibrant line that plays with color, texture, luxury, and glamour. In this, his 9th collection, (titled “TIME”), Ricardo Seco combines the richness of Mexican culture with its new contemporary sophistication.
In keeping with his previous collections, Greg Lauren brings us a full presentation of old world antics (think newsboys and boxing matches) with a post-apocalyptic twist. Consistent in his distressed detailing Lauren’s FW2016 Men’s collection provides a unique approach to sportswear. Keeping to hues of olive, gray, brown, and black, the collection is anything but drab. Lauren is an artist, and his work is presented with such imagination. Collections always “tell a story”, but often the story is left to the viewer’s imagination, sometimes with rough guidelines that indicate the feeling or direction the designer intends the collection to take – Lauren presents the story and the collection as one.
CWST’s newest collection takes on inspiration from a cellular dead zone known as the San Juan Islands, a secluded archipelago tucked into the Puget Sound pocket located just seventy miles northwest of Seattle. Looks are interpreted by the grey washed rain shadows and Douglas-fir of Orcas Island.