GUCCI, DSQUARED2, BURBERRY PRORSUM, JIL SANDER, DIESEL BLACK GOLD – FALL/WINTER 2012
Never did I imagine that those two words – “Corporate” and “Fashion” – would find themselves in the same phrase. I guess this post offers a type of rebuttal to one of my prior ones on dressing for the office (Click Here). This stands as a telling testament to how quickly perceptions can change, mindsets can shift, and old ideals give way to the formation of new ones. Between my Suit Up post and this one, I guess a distinct dialogic has begun to form, and once I’ve pinpointed it, I will be sure to share. In the meantime, here is a healthy sampling of what designers sent down the runway for menswear fashion week: looks fit for the boardroom. Funny because when I think of fashion – runway fashion to be precise – I imagine Alexander McQueen, Rick Owens and Kris Van Assche: rugged, edgy, funky, boundary-pushing, minimalistic, retro, etc. Strangely, I turned a blind eye to the obvious corporate direction that runway has taken to these days. And the hypothesis here isn’t far fetched by any means; how profitable is it to design an asymmetrical over-sized-lapel lambskin trench tunic? How many people in the world can afford to/want to buy such products? The wealthy and those with disposable incomes to spend on clothes are those who work corporate jobs in firms and industry around the world. So its a no-brainer for designers and their stylists to send polished, clean looks down the catwalk, therefore enticing potential clients into thinking: “Hey I can wear this to work! I’m comfortable with this suit-and-tie look!” Right? That’s my take on the whole thing, but on a more personal note, how inspiring for me. Forget Suit Up, the menswear collections are positively laden with potential looks for the office, and I’m excited to jump on board with the double-breasted wool suits, tuxedo-lapel blazers, skinny ties and lapel buttons. For the time being, I need to put aside the acid-washed jeans and Cuban boots for a tie clip and suit-belt anyway, so why not look sick doing it?
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