For Spring 2016, the Michael Bastian Collection looks to Los Angeles— specifically the private enclaves of Bel Air and Beverly Hills. Infused with a sense of easy west-coast glamour, the collection represents a more dressed-up interpretation of California style, typified by the actors, agents and deal makers who call these exclusive towns home.
‘I really wanted to explore this specific corner of American style— that of the agents (like Lew Wasserman and his wife Edie), the classic stars such as Rock Hudson and Faye Dunaway, and this idea of a particular kind of sharpness and glamour that developed independent of any East Coast or European influence. It all goes back to the amazing weather and lifestyle in these towns, and the sense of ease and style these people exhibited, primarily in the 70s and mainly through the influence of the great retailer Fred Hayman and his iconic store Giorgio Beverly Hills.’
Key fabrications include linen blend suiting and shirt fabrics, light weight cashmere, denim in both unwashed pressed indigo and white, and exclusive prints such as a custom banana-leaf camouflage printed on canvas.
The color palette is anchored in black, beige, white, olive and stone with accents such as iced yellow, pale mauve and flamingo pink. Other California references include a custom brass button featuring the crest of the state, and ‘Eureka’ the state motto of California printed on some of the sportswear pieces. The line encompasses a total look from swimwear to tuxedos and is all made exclusively in Italy.
For Spring ’16 the label is also introducing for the first time a capsule collection of Michael Bastian Women’s clothing. Playing off the same American ease and fabrications of the men’s collection, this first women’s collection will include sweaters, shirts and bottoms.
The brand continues its collaboration with the innovative Italian luxury shoe manufacturer Barbanera with a Barbanera for Michael Bastian hand-made shoe collection for both men and women.
Inspired by classic shoe silhouettes, the collection is updated with exclusive fabric and leather combinations, giving them both a modern yet classically hand-made appeal.
Photos courtesy of Michael Bastian
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