Some Favorites from Spring/Summer 2014: Thom Browne and Givenchy

Some favorites from the Spring/Summer collections:

I’ve delayed commenting on both the Spring/Summer 2014 collections from Thom Browne and Givenchy mainly because it took some time for me to sort out just what I thought. I knew that both collections struck a chord, but I wasn’t sure how or why they resonated; I keep looking at both collections and have yet to grow tired.

With Browne’s collection, I believe it must be the sense of strength of the pieces, which take so many militaristic references and twist them, when juxtaposed to a high gloss presentation of face that grabs my attention—it’s like Robert Palmer Girl-meets Grace Jones-meets Michael Jackson. This character is simply one I cannot shake, it’s so strong. Several of the pieces themselves aren’t very functional, like the strange crotch additions and the oversized coats, but many more can be incorporated as statement pieces. But, again, it’s the styling and aggressiveness of the pieces that I can’t keep from being drawn to. See more HERE.

In regards to Givenchy, the tribal influence that is crossed with digital, and even analog, technological inspired prints, which also have insect-like forms, keep me thinking. The pieces read future, retro, and ancient all at the same time, and that’s an intriguing idea in regards to clothes to be worn by today’s younger men. I’m also usually partial to face painting, and the make-up on the models captures tribal-meets-digital very nicely. See more HERE

Givenchy Spring 2014 Pre-Collection

What I enjoy about Givenchy's Spring 2014 Pre-Collection is the mix of floral prints with camo. It's a marriage of the "masculine" and the "feminine" that I think is right for the now we are in. Of course, I also like the flame motif paired with the slacks under a skirt-like piece: reads slightly Middle Eastern to me--this world-meets-street style should continue. A friend of mine recently predicted that we are going to go through a resurrection of fashions from the past, each in succession as they originally appeared. Right now, the '20s; so, the 30's would be next, and so on. I hope this isn't true, or at least, if it is, I hope that the fashions keep it moving forward, even when looking back. And even if this is so, men's fashion should continue playing with "feminine" tropes: What about a male "flapper?" See more of the Givenchy Spring 2014 Pre-Collection HERE on Selectism.

Givenchy Fall/Winter 2013

I am enjoying the metal plates placed over the shoes for the Givenchy Fall/Winter 2013 collection runway show. It's also cool how they have placed photos taken by Robert Mapplethorpe onto many of the pieces. Definitely a military/uniform vibe going on, and I like it; I'll join the Mapplethorpe army any day.
Photos from Homotography and FuckingYoung!

Givenchy Fall 2011--Boots

What I enjoy the most about the Givenchy Fall 2011 collection are the boots. They have a samurai look as they lace-up past the knee. See more HERE on Fashioinisto.