On entering the Dries Van Noten show, the bubble wrap envelopes / invitations were ceremoniously cut up and returned to guests to be used as make shift seats. The plan was to view the show from the steps of Palais Bourse. However due to a dramatic heavy rain shower, the audience were forced to decamp to the safety of the veranda. As the show was about to begin a drive by white van, complete with blaring sound system, pulled up outside the venue and provided up-tempo tunes for the proceedings. Dries has an innate knack in delivering entertaining presentations that lift the spirits of those at the shows and this addition seemed to hit the spot. Humour is key to Dries' communication and he delivers this both in his original concepts, food (mojito flavour ice cream today) and through his beautifully considered clothes. The collection returned to Dries' signature use of prints and his relaxed approach to dressing. Moving away from the sharp and dynamic collection from last season, for summer Dries is offering double breasted suit jackets worn with printed baggy pants and a sumptuous medley of wearable casual garments. Mixing fabrics and patterns in muted tones, is intrinsically part of Dries' signature style, and he returned to this with ease. The neat silhouettes in Dries' collection retains a modern sensibility for the clothes and the aesthetic is both modest and appealingly slouchy. Playful and perfectly formed this collection reflects the best of contemporary menswear - clothes that are enviable and simultaneously accessible for a variety of ages. As Dries took his bow at the end of the show, a huge crackle of thunder recognised Dries' heavenly influence over modern menswear. Another well judged and beautifully executed collection.
Paris Menswear S/S 10
Dries Van Noten
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Show Report
Playful and perfectly formed this collection reflects the best of contemporary menswear.