FROM THE EDITOR
For 24.1, after almost two years of restrictions and impediments, let us allow ourselves to live and look to the future with a sight of hope.
"CONNECTION" is the key word for 24.1 but most important it is an essential word for mankind. Since the dawn of civilization, we need to connect with something or someone, but above all with mother nature, animals, our past and our future. The focus for this G.Man is to connect with many cultures, attitudes, social movements as well as nature itself. I am inspired by brands and designers that spread their influence though fashion and pop-culture fighting to join the causes to make our world a better place. So, let’s look at the key trends for menswear while keeping an open mind and a new vision towards the future supported by impactful and inspirational stories.
- SOVIET RUSSIA
An inspiration that comes from the collective cultural and political history of the soviet countries. A look at the old past to reinvent the future and celebrate ethnicities and a passion for creative design. Post-soviet style is still strong and dictated by brands whose fashion philosophy feeds on the meshing between digital culture and vintage, 90’s street wear, a young sub-culture and underground seen. The attitude is fresh giving life to an aesthetic that is often at the limit of “unattractive”, raw, hyper-realistic but considered contemporary.
- COLORS: dulled white, blue and red with accents of vintage colors from sportswear
- KEY WORDS: all-over scarves, classicly sporty, stylish comfort, graphic patterns
- BRANDS: GOSHA RUBCHINSKY, ANTON LISIN, BICH, KRUZHO
The idea at the base for this theme is to take inspirations from logos and mark, signs, and others industrial fields integrating them into the garments. It is playful and fun creating a collection that is unique but powerful. One can use the logo on any product even the more formal one to reinvent it and give it a new life. The message is clear: power of amusement, and connecting the bland with the over the top, for bold statements, showcasing brand’s true colors while being connected creatively to consumer’s everyday life.
- COLORS: Greys, metallic grey, white and blue mixed lego-coloured accents.
- KEY WORDS: legoland, fashion shipment, logomania, protectivness, race for space
- BRANDS: SUPREME- VETEMENTS
Looking towards a not-so-distant future, with 3D spaces in the Metaverse where soon socialization, learning, collaboration and play, will go beyond what we can imagine today. We will soon be living in-between two worlds: the virtual and the real one. Brands and industries are obsessed this nebulous digital frontier. A new version of MATRIX 3.0 or WEB 3.0 which will connect people, locations, and things. Blending tech with fashion is the future, from the more classical ones like the wearable tech and smart fabrics to more advance video game skins and NFT’s.
- COLORS: Purest to darkest grey with accents of bright green, silver shine and metallic lilac.
- KEY WORDS: Computer codes, lustruous latex, robotics, liquid metal, invisible sci-f
- BRANDS: VETEMENTS – BALENCIAGA – AMBUSH – ALYX
A place also known as the land of the rising sun, full of mystery and beauty. No place could be more inspiring than Japan. Japanese designers seem to be a little bit more daring, meshing style in something a little bit more outlandish, while keeping the oriental heritage. One can play with so many interesting new fabrics and inventive details to balance practicality and aesthetics.
Strong and Soft, Simple and Complicated or Bitter and Sweet; we can describe in opposite ways the several faces of a unique and meticulous style using a subdued color palette where the underlying philosophy is that quality should be experienced first-hand to be fully appreciated. An avant-garde approach that pushes the limits of elegance, through experimental and contemporary interpretations of long-held traditions.
- COLORS: Dark shades of grey, bourgandy, blue, purple, accents similar colors to work in tone-on-tone.
- KEY WORDS: yound Samurai, asymmetrical cuts, noble knight,soft armour, Ninja warrior
- BRANDS: REI KAWAKUBO – JUUN.J – YUKIO MISHIMA
A more contemporary way to interpret the military influence. A long time ago, military uniforms were standardised but in today’s society, it has becomea big inspiration for many brands with a more modern, streetwear approach to thosemilitary adaptations. Maybe it’s the timeless, functional nature of the garments that is still so appealing. Here we want to create a new softer more romantic and elegant version of the military uniform with all its different facades. We are inspired by the amazing garments that can be found in the different armies. The Portrait wants to transform the look and the amazing shapes, technical fabrics and details into an everyday aesthetic that is practical and durable, speaking to the utilitarian in all of us. It works, It lasts and it also looks good for both work and in play.
- COLORS: white grey and black with accents of melange grey, nightime blue.
- KEY WORDS: B&W photos, nostalgic feel, para-troupers, emblems& medallions, modern uniform
- BRANDS: PRADA – HELIOT EMIL – ALYX – GIVENCHY
These amazing natural lights create something that seems unreal.
As if we were part of a fairytale or in a dream…. everything is suspended but we can somehow enter this incredible world. The color combinations and variations convey a new creative passion, a piece of art, design, music, fashion. Bright colors, new textures, empowerging young generations, not only to dream of being part of this magical world but to also find ways to make this dream a reality. A gender-neutral approach to garments that moves away from traditional aesthetic and break-free from some of the archaic norms of society while remaining elegent and re-mixing sartorial codes. Lines are fuzzy, hazy and the lines between smart/casual, male/female are blurred. As Virgil Abloh once quoted“Antiquated ideals like dress codes and gender fade away in favour of a universal call for peace and love”
- COLORS: cool scientific colors of flourescent green and shades of purple with flou accents of yellow and iridescent metal.
- KEY WORDS: prismic, digital craftmanship, gradations, luminosity, metallic texture
- BRANDS: BERLUTI – LOUIS VUITTON (by VIRGIL ABLOH) – DIOR HOMME
A Haute Couture inspiration but with a modern vibe. Beauty standards are high, even if it means wearing absolutely ridiculous outfits! The ancient world has, for better or worse, been a long-standing source of fashion inspiration for a modern audience. Fantastic designs that are the essence of craftmanship creating unique pieces that are handmade one by one with a level of detail that tells the story. Taking inspirations from all the magical world of the Couturier where every piece is one of a kind. We want to convey a message of the importance of artisanal creativity. Intricate garments that are elaborate and exquisite using different embellishments and details. Neo-classics to regency silhouettes, sit alongside gender-fluid menswear and a modern version of Greek/Roman gods as well as a melting-pot of different cultures and eras.All are re-interpreted in a modern urban elegance.
- COLORS: calm and historical dark neutrals from classix browns to greens with accents of lurex/metallic touches.
- KEY WORDS: full-on embellishment, magical wings, protective fabrics, luxury rococo, rich vibrations.
- BRANDS: BALMAIN – SAINT LAURENT – GUCCI – PACO RABANNE – ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
In the wild nature, we have a lot of animals, but we do not want to harm them. We want to discover them and imitate their beauty, colors and patterns. The fur is absolutely “faux” nothing is real.It’s becoming increasingly difficult to justify buying real fur in our rapidly changing world, as much due to the ethical aspect as the environmental.It’s a point many of the most important brands are beginning to take seriously.The New faux fur is softer, warmer, and far more creative.Nature is so rich of patterns that we can use them as inspiration for any surfaces, texture, garment or accessory. There is still a lot of controversy between the faux and the real use of furs, but one thing is evident, consumers love to play with color and print especially on their furry garments.
- COLORS: classic camel and natural browns and cream white with accents of flou pink
- KEY WORDS: transform the classic, cheetah galore, zebra invasion, funny and simple, stand out.
- BRANDS: CALVIN KLEIN – GAP – AMIRI
HAVE A GREAT 24.1!!
