Fashion Examiner: Spring Summer 2017

Friday, August 5, 2016

Joseph Abboud Spring Summer 2017 menswear collection

Joseph Abboud Spring Summer 2017. Photo: ©Shawn Punch 2016

The Joseph Abboud Spring Summer 2017 men's collection was presented in July with a runway show during New York Fashion Week: Men's Spring Summer 2017. The designer, Mr. Abboud channeled adventurer, expatriate and legendary writer Ernest Hemingway in the styles of the clothes and even with the setting of the fashion show. The event was held at The Park, a sunlit restaurant on Tenth Avenue between West 17th and 18th Street. The atmosphere had a relaxed, privileged and friendly air. Guests sat at circular tables while they were served Cuban Frittatas, Smoked Salmon Crepe, deserts and pastries as though they were passing the time in a French cafe.

The collection is titled "Deconstructed Elegance" and imagines an "American voyager...hungry for knowledge and adventure who collects" his richly made garments "as he explores the world, from New York and Paris, to Havana and Madrid." The models walked down a couple small steps and made their way along a path that snaked in between tables, where guests such as actor and model Kellan Lutz got a close up view of the clothes. Models turned a sharp right, then strutted down a short, narrow, runway decorated with Oriental rugs and lined with worn but expensive travel luggage. Finally, each model sat at an assigned seat at the head of the runway until the man behind the brand walked out to thank the audience and pose briefly with the models.

As usual, Mr. Abboud's clothes look great. The pieces are made for the masculine man. One who likes a bit of room in his pants and jackets; but not too much room. Several pieces are made from linen. According to the designer, "ninety-five percent of the collection is 100% linen. I've always loved linen. I think it's a great fabric. A lot of men don't understand linen. The more you wear it, the more you use it, the more comfortable it feels." The colors of the clothes are white, ivory, sand, chocolate, flax and tobacco. Looks deftly straddle the line between formal and informal wear.

Some of the looks can be worn as a suit, while most of the pieces are worn as separates. Double-breasted suit jackets and blazers with large breast pockets are very dashing. Coats with belts are tailor-made for a safari trek. There are lots of visual options with stripes, checkers, solids, paisley and flower designs. One has to remember not to mix patterns too much, keeping in mind the saying, less is more. Overall this is a fabulous collection.

Joseph Abboud Spring Summer 2017. Photo: ©Shawn Punch 2016

Thursday, July 21, 2016

The Grungy Gentleman Spring Summer 2017 collection

Model walks runway in a grey/white striped long sleeve tee and grey shorts from the
Grungy Gentleman Spring Summer 2017 collection by Jace Lipstein,
Grungy Gentleman x Mitchell & Ness hat, Maui Jim sun glasses, and
Timberland x Grungy Gentleman footwear in the W Hotel at
541 Lexington Avenue. Photo: ©Shawn Punch 2016

Jace Lipstein presented his Grungy Gentleman Spring Summer 2017 collection fashion show at the W Hotel on 541 Lexington Avenue on July 14th, during New York Fashion Week: Men's Spring Summer 2017. The runway show featured an astonishing 71 menswear outfits. The overall tone of the collection was masculine and relaxed. The colors were basic: blue, black, white, grey and cream. Effective minimalism was employed. For the most part the only patterns visible are the brand's trademark six-stripe design, which appear on blazers, t-shirts, pants, shorts, outerwear and footwear.

Mr. Lipstein designed a collection for the active, stylish man. There are a couple slim fitting trousers, which happen to conform to current men's style trends, however, thankful there are several pants and shorts that offer guys a bit more room to breath and feel loose. The blazers are really nice. They seem tailored for an athletic build and can be worn with pants or shorts to give the feeling of leisure. Textures and small details make a mark as well. One fine example is the use of mesh in jackets. The blue mesh jacket will be a must have for 2017. Another example is a grey hoodie with an asymmetric zipper in the front. The subtle curve of the zipper's path is slightly noticeable but makes perfect design sense.

Grungy Gentleman partnered with Timberland for footwear, Mitchell & Ness for hats and Maui Jim sunglasses to complete the looks for the fashion show. The Timberland collaboration features "five co-designed styles: three 6" Premium Boots and two athletic-inspired oxfords." According to the press release "select items from the collection will later be retailed in 2017 in Timberland stores, as well as available on the Grungy Gentleman website and select retailers across the nation." The partnership with Mitchell & Ness produced hats of wicking, cotton, suede and nylon with the Grungy Gentleman six-stripe pattern.

Model walks runway in a black blazer, top and pants from the Grungy Gentleman
Spring Summer 2017 collection by Jace Lipstein; shoes by Timberland x
Grungy Gentleman in the W Hotel at 541 Lexington Avenue.
Photo: ©Shawn Punch 2016

Model walks runway in a blue jacket, blue top and cream pants from the
Grungy Gentleman Spring Summer 2017 collection by Jace Lipstein,
and cream boots by Timberland x Grungy Gentleman; in the W Hotel
at 541 Lexington Avenue. Photo: ©Shawn Punch 2016

Model walks runway in a cream jacket and grey sweat pants from the Grungy Gentleman
Spring Summer 2017 collection by Jace Lipstein, white shoes by Timberland x
Grungy Gentleman in the W Hotel at 541 Lexington Avenue. Photo: ©Shawn Punch 2016

Model walks runway in a denim shirt and cream pants from the Grungy Gentleman
Spring Summer 2017 collection by Jace Lipstein, Maui Jim sunglasses by and white
shoes by Timberland x Grungy Gentleman in the W Hotel at 541 Lexington Avenue.
Photo: ©Shawn Punch 2016

Model walks runway in a grey hoodie with zipper and black shorts from the
Grungy Gentleman Spring Summer 2017 collection by Jace Lipstein,
shoes by Timberland x Grungy Gentleman; in the W Hotel at 541 Lexington Ave.
Photo: ©Shawn Punch 2016

Model walks runway in a blue long sleeve tee and black pants from the Grungy Gentleman
Spring Summer 2017 collection by Jace Lipstein, white boots by Timberland x
Grungy Gentleman in the W Hotel at 541 Lexington Avenue.
Photo: ©Shawn Punch 2016

Model walks runway in a white crew neck tee and cream shorts from the
Grungy Gentleman Spring Summer 2017 collection by Jace Lipstein, white hat by
Grungy Gentleman x Mitchell & Ness white shoes by Timberland x Grungy Gentleman
in the W Hotel at 541 Lexington Avenue. Photo: ©Shawn Punch 2016

Model walks runway in a white v-neck tee and white pants from the Grungy Gentleman
Spring Summer 2017 collection by Jace Lipstein, Maui Jim sunglasses by and white
boots by Grungy Gentleman x Timberland; in the W Hotel at 541 Lexington Avenue.
Photo: ©Shawn Punch 2016

Model walks runway in a black "Next Man Up" tank top and black pants from the
Grungy Gentleman Spring Summer 2017 collection by Jace Lipstein, and black boots by
Grungy Gentleman x Timberland in the W Hotel at 541 Lexington Avenue.
Photo: ©Shawn Punch 2016

Model walks runway in a white blazer and black sweat pants from the
Grungy Gentleman Spring Summer 2017 collection by Jace Lipstein, hat by
Grungy Gentleman x Mitchell & Ness and boot by Timberland x Grungy Gentleman;
in the W Hotel at 541 Lexington. Photo: ©Shawn Punch 2016