A Homecoming for John Varvatos
It is a thrill to have John varvatos back on his own home turf
after seven years of showing his collection in Milan. The music-loving designer elevated the inaugural run of New York Mens Fashion Week with his rock star status. The collection partly inspired by the the British rockers who emigrated to the U.S in the 1970s like Mick Fleetwood, Graham Nash and Jimmy Page. Set the stage for Carnaby Street dandy meets California bohemian.
Graphic bold stripes dominated the collection, with all manner of slick striped suits and of course Varvatos’ signature military inspired band jackets, and soft lambskin leathers. Each one perfectly draped and molded to enhance the body. Stripes appeared everywhere on everything from three-piece suits to tanks, satchel bags and highboots. Not even the runway was spared as hundreds of striped umbrellas hung overhead from the ceiling. However, there were also plenty of abstract prints, windowpane checks, khakis and deep muted tones to keep it interesting. Knits were reworked to look more like leather and a supremely tailored denim tuxedo was sublimely crafted from dyed silk.
The vertical dandy stripes came in black, white, olive and gray. “Everything is in such a solid mode today,” Varvatos said. “It’s been that way for too long. I’m trying to be adventurous and playful, everything doesn’t have to be so serious.” There were two piece and three piece suits crafted in silk and linen, waistcoats and single breasted front cutaway jackets reminiscent of mods and 70s glam rock. Every look came stamped with Varvatos’ own brand of American sportwear. The result was a sleek, modern take on the 1970s rock movement that will encourage men to go out and buy suits again.
