Shocking Sheer Menswear for Spring 2017
At the spring menswear shows in London and Paris, designers showed some serious skin on the runway in sheer and transparent mesh fabrics that exposed the body. The look feels somewhat reminiscent of the 90s, as designers encourage men to show off their bodies in the sheerest tops and sexy tanks imaginable. The playful variety of see-through transparent looks came in either nude, sheer tops, or were kept under wraps by styling transparent layers over solids. The use of transparencies, made it clear designers are exposing the raw power of sex.
Several key designers in Paris put men on the runway in sheer tops, jackets and even trousers. While some pieces were entirely sheer, others only partially displayed the model’s flesh. At Ann Demeulemeester, creative director Sevastien Meunier featured delicate, transparent tanks stitched with the words “I Am Red with Love”, a nod to the collection’s punk imagery theme. Comme des Garcons Hommes Plus designer Rei Kawakubo used an array of sheer fabrics, including plastic and hybrid fabrics, such as polyurethane, plastic or PVC to expose skin in a collection inspired by the theme “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Kawakubo’s unconventional runway show also featured models with hair styled into stiff crowns with the slogan “The King Is Naked.” Kris Van Assche at Dior Homme referenced punk, goth, and new wave, in his tan mesh, long sleeved top accessorized with an edgy black leather choker and lace-up combat boots. Off-White designer, Virgil Abloh titled his collection “Mirror Mirror” and explored the theme of appearances and facade using a sheer white logo on his graphic t-shirts worn over loose fitting black striped trousers. Embracing androgyny’s role in fashion, Glenn Martens of Y Project sent out body-hugging sheer, cropped tops embellished with silk florals for both men and women.
The fashion world has seen a big shift in both women’s and menswear, as androgynous designs have become increasingly more mainstream. The influence of feminine fabrics in menswear, and vice versa, has created a new audience of consumers seeking cutting-edge ready-to-wear fashion. This is certainly true in London, where Marjan Pejoski’s label KTZ focused on a dark, dystopian future with S & M tinged masculine eroticism. Highlights from the collection include a sheer, black jumpsuit embellished with an abstract silver pattern that was cinched at the waist by a studded leather belt. At another London favorite, Topman’s menswear collection drew heavily on the beach seaside culture in Britain, pairing string vests with mesh tank tops. The collection was dominated by mod, pastel colors, with models marching out with straight-outta-the-sea hair and sunburnt cheeks. With warmer weather just around the corner, it’s time to buff up if you want to rock this look!
