New York Fashion Week: Men’s Preview Coverage

If is often said that the only thing constant in life is change. And whether change is embraced or shunned, change happens. Next week, the CFDA is producing a change that the fashion industry will not only embrace, but also celebrate; the introduction of the inaugural season of New York Fashion Week: Men’s.

For a long time, menswear has been a stepchild to women’s fashion in the US. And though there are several esteemed homegrown American menswear designers, their rightful place in the industry—until recently—has always been a second act to women’s wear.

Realizing the exponential growth of the menswear market and concern that so many reputable menswear designers opt out of showing in New York City for the bright lights of Paris, Milan, and London, the CFDA wisely decided to produce a men’s fashion week in New York City to promote the menswear collections and lure back designers who had stopped presenting collections here.

There has been an overwhelming support of this CFDA initiative and from July 13–16 over 40 menswear designers will present collections. Fashion Reverie will be front and center, bringing coverage from collections as diverse as Fingers Crossed, Carlos Campos, Concept Korea, Thaddeus O’Neil, Rochambeau, and Malan Breton to Nautica, Michael Bastian, John Varvatos, Perry Ellis, and many others.

If the collections as shown in London, Paris, and Milan are any indication—and they always are—of the kinds of trends, fabrications, and silhouettes we will see during New York Fashion Week: Men’s, hold on because it will be and exciting and bumpy ride. Menswear collections in recent shows in Europe were all over the place, from bold colors, and androgynous silhouettes, to non-traditional fabrics, asymmetrical cuts, and lots of big floral print combinations. Crazy, quixotic, whimsical, but lots of fun, so hold on.

Remember, the definition of sportswear, and masculine design aesthetics are changing, reflecting political vicissitudes and new ideas around maleness; a good thing, yes, but, retail friendly, not always. The question is, will the American male consumer embrace this new and exciting kaleidoscope of choice and variation? Time will tell!!

—William S. Gooch