Paris Men’s Fashion Week: A Tale of Contrasting Styles
Paris Men’s Fashion Week showcased a striking dichotomy of styles, with collections ranging from subtle, understated elegance to extravagant and flamboyant designs. Here are some highlights of the fall-winter 2024 men’s shows.
Sacai’s Bold Warrior Chic
As the sun set on Paris Menswear Week, Sacai impressed with its imaginative and bold collection. Designer Chitose Abe showcased a blend of traditional and avant-garde designs, with a focus on dark, aggressive utilitarianism. The show-stopper was the giant round sleeves, inspired by traditional Japanese warrior dress and reimagined in a contemporary way. The collection also featured extra-padded pocket details, evoking a samurai’s armor. Sacai’s innovative designs continue to push the boundaries of fashion.
One particular ensemble captured the essence of the collection, with a pearl trapeze silhouette garment adorned with cushion-like embellishments. Thigh-high black wading boots added a touch of watery mystique to the designs. Sacai’s warrior-chic left a lasting impact on the fashion crowd as they prepared for the upcoming Couture Week.
WooYoungmi’s ParisSeoul: A Cross-Continental Sartorial Symphony
WooYoungmi presented a collection that brought together cultural contradictions and sartorial surprises. The show featured a mix of East-meets-West styles, with a standout piece being a “Paris Seoul”-emblazoned striped rugby top. The collection also showcased daring combinations, such as tweed jackets paired with classic Western suits. The highlight of the show was an all-out denim ensemble, styled like a work suit and completed with a whimsical hat that bridged sartorial and cultural worlds.
A Tale of Two Extremes in Luxury
Paris Men’s Fashion Week displayed the contrasting nature of luxury fashion for men. On one end, there were collections from Hermès and AMI that focused on understated elegance, with muted tones and refined subtlety. Hermès showcased long leather coats and sumptuous knitwear, while AMI presented impeccably tailored suits and trench coats.
At the other end of the spectrum, Balmain made a bold comeback with a collection full of opulent designs, bold colors, and sparkling reinterpretations of traditional menswear. The show even featured celebrity appearances, including Naomi Campbell. Rick Owens added gothic elements to his designs, with oversized rubber boots making a statement. The week highlighted the dual nature of men’s luxury fashion, from the quietly sophisticated to the unapologetically extravagant.
