Designer Malan Breton, known for his impeccably tailored suits, meticulous use of color, and premium-sourced fabrics, recently showcased his 2017 Spring/Summer menswear collection during Men’s NY Fashion Week at a private studio in New York’s trendy Meatpacking district.
Inspired by the 1969 Academy Award-winning film Alice’s Restaurant, the collection, a bit of a departure from some of Malan’s more recent designs, featured forgotten materials and styles such as silk organza, silk gazaar, and beautifully intricate golden silk weaves juxtaposed with reconstructed Taiwanese denim and various indigenous florals and prints from the many tribes of Taiwan, the designer’s homeland. Malan went so far as to even create original watercolor prints that made use of earth-like colors and palettes to help bring his vision to life.
The result? While the use of florals certainly felt a bit last season, the way they were used felt anything but. By applying his signature ancient fabric weaving techniques with fabrics and materials that we haven’t seen on the showrooms and floors in quite some time, Malan was able to put a unique spin on some of the more familiar looks and styles we’ve been witnessing over the past couple of seasons. And by moving away from the overly cut and tailored looks that have come to dominate menswear over the years with more liberated silhouettes and that classic Savile Row-like precision that Malan’s known for, the line was certainly a testament to what very well could be a new direction for the future of men’s fashion to come.
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