Matiere Spring 2016

Matiere, meaning material or subject matter in French is the focal point for the contemporary menswear line, Matiere, Known for their seamless integration of form, function, and comfort fused into a modern aesthetic, founder Scot Shandalove and creative director Jake Zeitlin embraced duality as seen through the use of unexpected materials on modern silhouettes for their spring 2016 collection.

The design pair employed hues of bleached and true indigo buttressed by off-white, dusted grey and city black. Fabrications ranged from dense cotton slub, brushed cashmere, and 3-D striped French terrycloth. “This collection features some heavy textures that maintain an effortless and clean finish. The color palette, which starts off with a creamy off-white and builds to a true indigo is reminiscent of the ocean’s raw beauty,” explained Shandalove.

One of the main focuses of this spring 2016 collection was outerwear that was expressed in reworked bomber jackets and anoraks providing seasonal layering options. Additional garment choices were baseball shirts, gusseted pants and Henley tank tops. “Finding a balance is key,” exclaims Zeitlin. “We’re creating a collection that is fashion forward, yet always approachable and wearable.”

Though this collection is approachable and certainly wearable, it does lack those unique, stand-up-and-notice garments that guarantees to attract consumers. In a market that is oversaturated with menswear staple items, collections need to go beyond approachability and wearable clothes. Remember, JC Penny’s, Kohls, and Old Navy is just down the street!!

—William S. Gooch