The Paris menswear shows kicked off this week with designers forgoing the temptation to play it safe during the economic downturn. Bold and fun seem to be the themes for next winter, with enfant terrible Jean Paul Gaultier leading the way.
At his energy-filled show, models in afro wigs paraded the runway in a mixture of jazzed-up zoot suits and bright, skinny fitting two pieces - including one standout outfit in sizzling red. For the first time the French atelier also debuted a children's line, Gaultier Junior, which included snappy three-piece suits.
Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto also made a statement, turning sleepwear into streetwear with a collection of pyjama-inspired suits in midnight tones of purple and inky blue. The striped and polka dotted garments were teamed with bathrobe-esque silky trench coats.
The Hugo Boss collection, meanwhile, combined matchstick pants and skinny ties from the Sixties with futuristic looking, origami-cut capes to create a mod-meets-The Matrix look.
At Louis Vuitton the tone was laid back, with the formal business silhouette softened in a collection of loosely cut suits. A dark palette of dusky mauves, autumnal browns and navy was lifted with vibrant touches in the form of scarves and hightop running shoes designed for the French luggage firm by rapper Kanye West.
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
