Fashion Blog

PARIS, Jun 29, 2008 / FW/ — Final day of the Paris Menswear Spring 2009 season featured household names like Paul Smith, a respected designer with a cult following like Masatomo and an emerging designer who is fast becoming the latest darling of the Paris menswear scene, Juun J.

Masatomo

In this off schedule show at the prestigious Hotel Meurice on the Rue de Rivoli, Masatomo showed a collection of colored snakeskins and bold, red lacquer accessories.

The modern suits were all uniquely adorned with some kind of crystal zipper, crystal embroidery, or colored snakeskin detail. The leather jackets were unique in that they had a slit across the arm bearing skin underneath.

The beginning of the show as dominated by whites and greens, the occasional grey pinstripe suit. The beaded suits that finished the show were particularly detailed and contrasted the modern, sleek lines of his other suits.

Juun J.

Juun J’s inventive spring/summer collection was a much-needed breath of creativity for menswear. The unique pieces were tops that were constructed with one half as a vest and the other as a full jacket.

Also, several pants sweaters constructed into the waistband to create the effect of it being tied there, strategically showing the Juun J label as the model turned away. His trench coats with full sleeves on only one side or no sleeves at all were also very creative.

The layering effect was taken to the extreme here by creating the false impression of long sleeves over short sleeves and blazers over vests. The bottoms were all either slim cut capris or cuffed, pleated shorts.

Two particularly interesting pieces were the one piece, double breasted suit, and the plaid, ombré ensemble. Following trends we have seen this week, Juun J used exposed zippers on his leather jacket and cargo pockets on his breezy summer jacket.

Juun J

Masatomo

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

A slightly redundant show from Paul Smith showed us lots of pinstriped, plaid, and layered suits in summery linens. The “hippie goes to the Hamptons” look was definitely apparent in the light colors and tasseled loafers paired with rolled up denim and linen jackets. The atmosphere of the show was young and fun, and the pieces were all very marketable to the public.