Man on the Move: Modern Vintage Design
John Vavartos Fall/Winter 2017-2018
As the old saying goes, those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. But in the world of fashion, that may not necessarily be a bad thing. To that end, it’s true that there is the idea of ‘throwbacks’, which re-imagines blasts from the past. But there’s also the thought of leveraging historical elements to inspire modern designs, and that’s the basis for which American designer John Varvatos injects into his looks. As he puts it, his philosophy "is about reaching back to move forward. I have something different to say with a sensibility that is both old and new.”
Style Advice: There are not many things older in this world than animals, so a lynx print biker jacket is a prime example of ‘reaching back to move forward’. It’s a unique look that you can mimic with a similarly-styled leopard print jacket from Topman paired with the same pattern shoes – like these from Dolce & Gabbana – and these Target sunglasses. To not look like an animal yourself, you have to balance out the powerful prints with subtlety. With this look, that is achieved by blacking everything else out, including these ink black chinos from Diesel and color-matching scarf from Tiger of Sweden.
Must-Have: Keeping your hands warm when the temperature drops is something that should always be appreciated and never overlooked. Call it quality of life. And if you want that luxurious quality of life, opt to cover those phalanges with cashmere like the cable-knit variety in these Moncler gloves. Your hands will thank you. If you’re looking for a more wallet-friendly option, then go for these gloves from Polo Ralph Lauren that are at such a great price that you can double dip in a different color.
Industry Update: Who doesn’t love rankings? They’re always a fun topic to debate. And the Business of Fashion has released two Top 10 lists that are bound to be discussed by many fashion enthusiasts. First is the Top 10 Hottest Brands in the third quarter, which is led by constant title contenders Balenciaga and Gucci, respectively. The biggest surprise, though, is premium streetwear brand Off-White’s ascension to 3rd place after ranking just 34th last quarter. Saint Laurent also got its groove back, placing 7 overall after a hiatus out of the top 10 under Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello. The other list, which is the top 10 most influential rappers in fashion, is a bit quirkier, but still relevant. It’s no surprise that Kanye leads the way here, with his ridiculously popular Yeezy brand. Pharrell is also making headlines with his Comme des Garcon and Chanel collaborations. Who says fashion is a dying breed?