Men’s fashion season has officially kicked off in Milan, and whilst the world reels from the likes of Gucci’s runway debut, plus contemporary design offerings from Pitti Uomo, it feels as though we are levitating in stillness – frozen amid chaos in the Fashion Week bubble.
Alas, despite the packed fashion timetables, the drops don’t stop. From anticipated EPs to free-spirited sneaker releases, here’s your curated Friday roundup of everything you need to know from the past week.
4 MONCLER HYKE CHAMPIONS EVOLUTION
Following on from their debut Moncler Genius collection, cult Japanese brand HYKE – the brainchild of Hideaki Yoshihara and Yukiko Ode – is back once more with an archival exploration of historic Moncler pieces such as the 1960 Lionel Terray down coat. The result? A gender-fluid, avant-garde collection of technical-wear vests; HYKE Desertyx boots; voluminously padded puffer jackets and classic tapered detailing layered over an abundance of pleated staples and sweats. Aiming to create a sense of unity and metropolitan functionalism, 4 Moncler Hyke champions the heritage and evolution of the two brands with its range of soft, sand-shaded pieces.
ANTSLIVE DROPS A ‘NUMBER 1’ SINGLE
Rising star AntsLive is back with a brand new single ‘Number One Candidate’ taken from his latest EP Just a Matter of Time. The track’s tongue in cheek video sees a horse-mounted AntsLive at alpine heights and is already gaining critical acclaim, having been dubbed by many as one of the best videos of 2023. Following standout performances at Reading & Leeds festival last year alongside turning heads in Nike’s colossal campaign for the recent World Cup, AntsLive is one to watch in 2023. Check out the full video for ‘Number One Candidate’ here.
BOILER ROOM DROPS COLOURFUL COLLECTION ADDITIONS
Boiler Room has connected club culture and fashion once more with their latest drops to their online shop. Dizzying, kaleidoscopic prints adorn a range of tees and tops; marbled sweats marry renaissance ceilings with streetwear stylistic features; tie-dye dreams meet cargo core and a pocket-sized cross body bag comes in clutch alongside a monochromatic branded scarf, to mention a few. With something for just about everyone, Boiler Room’s online offerings make a perfect gift to cure the dreaded January blues. Shop the full collection here before it’s too late.
VALENTINO’S TOILE ICONOGRAPHE GETS SENSORIAL
Heritage heroes Maison Valentino have joined forces with renowned Thai artist Pinaree Sanpitak to bring us a spellbinding sculptural offering in celebration of the inaugural edition of ART SG at Singapore Art Week. A true exploration of the female form, “Breast Stupas Valentino” intertwines the feminine bodily experience with the empowering Valentino Toile Iconographe. Referring to the Maison’s ‘harmony of contradictions’, Sanpitak made sure to incorporate elements of deeply significant Southeast Asian culture, such as ritualistic bowls that represent bounty and life. The collaboration between revered artist and historic house marks a true freedom of artistic expression and deep a commitment towards the new generation at a global and local scale.
MAISON KITSUNÉ EXPLORES ELSEWHERE FOR SS23
Maison Kitsuné’s SS23 campaign implores us to explore everywhere. Shot by Remi Ferrante, the Maison’s hedonistic utopia is captured in its full glory; colourful dreamscapes, vivid shades and surrealist viewpoints take us on a journey through ‘Destination: Elsewhere’, as clean-cut silhouettes, enchanting colour blocks and utilitarian imaginings take the forefront in this captivating campaign for their anticipated summer collection.
CASABLANCA’S 2ND FREE-SPIRITED SNEAKER
Casablanca have punched back with a second round of nostalgia, presenting the second drop of their debut sneaker. Designed in-house by founder and creative director Charaf Tajer and art director Steve Grimes, the mythological lost city of Atlantis is symbolised throughout the shoe’s meticulous silhouette. Wave-formed soles signify deep-sea elements whilst architectural structure and classic accents such as perforated leather and timeless suede exteriors join functional sportswear and free-spirited aesthetics. The perfect marriage of contemporary luxury and fabled storytelling.
LOEWE SS23 CHANNELS STILL-LIFE
Drawing on the liminal zone between the staged and the introspective, human personality and crafted item, Loewe’s SS23 Menswear campaign takes note of life’s bewildering elements. Captured by renowned photographer David Sims, campaign protagonists Josh O ́Connor and Stéphane Bak merge effortlessly with everyday objects and contemporary sculptures, adorned in fleeced silhouettes and clutching central Loewe pieces such as the Fold Shopper bag. Pushing a subliminal message that ‘there’s more than meets the eye’, the campaign marries Jonathan Anderson’s unique human perspective with still-life elements and iconic Loewe craftsmanship.
HI-TEC HTS74 X SNEAKER DISTRICT
Iconic Amsterdam-born institution Sneaker District have collaborated with Hi-Tec HTS74 to bring us two brand new unisex colour way releases for the flagship HTS Shadow RGS. Featuring a choice of sand-touched pink or army-reminiscent khaki, plus the return of the kicks’ classic escalating sole, this refreshed take on the hit sneaker simultaneously showcases Sneaker District’s updated logo, designed by legendary artist DELTA, a.ka. Boris Tellegen.
PRADA’S SS23 FILM HAS CRUDE TOUCHES
Following on from Prada’s powerful SS23 Women’s show, the historic house has forged an alliance with film director Nicolas Winding Refn to present their hauntingly beautiful short film, ‘A Touch of Crude’. Exploring ‘Prada characters, Prada stories, Prada lives’, the film takes note of momentous collections spearheaded by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, whilst exploring the fluid modernity of the feminine experience as the protagonist peers through a peephole in her foreboding new home. The campaign also features shots by David Sims, who through the notion of many lives and many perspectives, captures stars such as Vincent Cassel and Hunter Schafer in perfect, yet multifaceted stillness. The full film, which premiered at the Lyon Lumière Film Festival, alongside the Geneva International Film Festival and the Stockholm Film Festival, can now be watched online via Prada’s website and social media.
MASTER PEACE DELIVERS ‘VERONICA’
The second taster of Master Peace’s highly anticipated EP ‘Peace of Mind’ is here – and it’s already amping up to be the Hottest Record in the World, thanks to BBC Radio 1. The release of Peace’s latest track, ‘Veronica’, is joined by the drop of its kaleidoscopic, dreamlike new video directed by Luis Hindman. Drawing from the single’s fearlessness to explore the exuberance of youth, Peace explained that “Veronica is a youthful record that captures the feeling of young love and the exciting feeling that comes with new situations.” With the hotly anticipated ‘Peace of Mind’ EP (which drops on Friday 24th February via PMR Records) already generating stratospheric buzz, we can’t wait to dive into this no-holds-barred insight into Master Peace’s mind upon its release.
LEVI’S X AMBUSH GIVES MOTORCYCLE CHIC
Denim legend Levi’s has partnered with Ambush for a biker-esque foray into luxury streetwear. Following their highly successful first collaboration last year, this time the two labels have dropped a moto-inspired collection, featuring a denim jacket and jeans which draw from historic biker culture. The LEVI’S x AMBUSH Biker Jacket takes note of classic moto elements including patchwork shadow washing practices and chunky branded zippers, finished in a striking mid-indigo wash. Meanwhile, the LEVI’S x AMBUSH Biker Jeans – designed to match the jacket – bear the same iconic practices alongside crafted front-knee panelling details.
MACKAGE COMMISSIONS FRIEZE X LETHA WILSON FOR FLAGSHIP
Elevated, functional outerwear frontrunner Mackage has enlisted leading art platform Frieze and multidisciplinary artist Letha Wilson to create a breathtaking new installation for their flagship Paris and NYC stores. Through contemporary sculptures drawn from real-life imagery, the commission represents both parties’ dedication to representing contemporary creativity and sustainability. The installation (which will shift in shade and mood throughout the months in keeping with Mackage’s collections) showcases intersecting, contorted shapes that represent natures elements, and invites us to reflect on how ‘humanity has sought to balance nature’s innate beauty and chaos with our desire to control, protect’ – and then, to learn from it.
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See also: WHAT TO EXPECT THIS MEN’S FASHION WEEK
