D. Gnak Spring/Summer 2018

For his debut runway show during London Fashion Week: Men’s, creative director Kang Dong Jun sought to inflect unique utilitarian touches to an otherwise standard collection of tailored and street fusion. The collection was composed of predominantly monochromatic ensembles in white or black, but the occasional red and yellow appeared in exaggerated cross-stitching, free-falling strings and sporty track suits. A cropped loose-fitting trouser paired with its black jacket counterpart made an excellent case for relaxed, yet sophisticated dressing. Sweatpants and joggers further added to the street sensibility, especially those with the extra zipper detailing. A batch of pieces had a sort of deconstructed element that would seem to come apart were it not for the aforementioned utilitarian touches holding them in place. Buckles, clasps and belts held everything together in dramatic fashion, but the emphasis on the hanging strips of fabric everywhere felt a bit too forced and would have been better off left out entirely. That said, the cargo elements and heavy-duty detailing were a refreshing addition to a lineup of smart, easy tailoring suitable for any weekend outing sure to impress.