One way to start off Paris men’s fashion week with a bang? Follow Raf Simons to the outskirts of the City of Light for a collection of diverse references, dramatic styling, and Simons’ style signatures. While the debate over the male models’ visage-obscuring hoods will surely rage on into the morning, you can find the 10 must-know facts about the show below. And don’t forget to check back for Tim Blanks’ full review.
1. The talking point of the show will no doubt be the madras hoods that obscured the faces of a handful of models during the show. Made from various plaids, the pieces fell loose over their faces, giving the guys an eerie, cloaked look.
2. Said hoods also came with an element of danger: Two models fell off the platform runway while wearing them.
3. The madras didn’t stop on the hoods, either. Jackets, shirts, and blazers came in a variety of mix-and-match tartans. A holdover from Simons’ recent Dior Resort 2016 show?
4. A gray cropped sweater surely toed the gender-bending line set forth so far at London, Pitti Uomo, and Milan’s menswear shows.
5. The designer’s new backpacks ditched traditional straps for long chains that models held slung over their shoulders.
6. It’s official: Bell-bottoms for men are experiencing a revival. Simons’ pant silhouette on the runway was long and wide, billowing around the legs of the models.
7. After releasing an Adidas capsule collection comprised of bright and pastel hues, it seems Simons is going back to the bright white kicks he made popular.
8. Simons goes a little bit country, a little bit Belgian minimalist.
9. Simons transformed a film studio on the outer edge of Paris into his set, complete with a glowing red light.
10. He might not have won the NBA championship this year, but Amar’e Stoudemire did get to attend Raf Simons’ show. To us, it’s a little bit better.
—Steff Yotka
