
Southern Charm–A polished fall outing from Billy Reid details the whims of the modest gentleman looking for all the right pieces with a special charm. Furnished in lush fabrications with impeccable details, fall layers provide for the quaint and rugged. Employing a lineup of semi-fitted trousers alongside tweed outerwear, cashmere sweaters and sharp shirting, a new wardrobe is fleshed out with complete trimmings. Accented with fur and accessorized with the chance carryall or leather footwear, Billy Reid’s collection prompts the continuance of a sound perspective that puts the timeless hero first, whether its tailored suiting or knitwear, ready to be worn in.

The Rugged Dandy–Approaching the fall/winter 2012 season, Rag & Bone designers David Neville and Marcus Wainwright took hold of the dandy and roughed him up with a wild eye for the unkempt outdoors. Infiltrated by woodsy sentiments, fine tailoring took on a utilitarian purpose, juxtaposed with details of the modern age. Lasered fabrications and satin linings joined carefully placed leather inclusions for a notion of today’s designs. Meanwhile, relaxed trousers as well as heavy coats of wool tied into a London romanticism that is indifferent to time. A subtle twist of menswear fundamentals, the collection as a whole fueled a space for classic ideas with a hint of experimental fodder aimed at the season.

Marching Forward–The men of Tommy Hilfiger marched to a different beat for the fall/winter 2012 season. Trading in the American prep that Hilfiger has become so synonymous with, the lavish collection read as a rich set off the runways of Europe. Bringing together burgundy and black, leather and shearling, Tommy Hilfiger was simply ravishing. Armed with an aristocratic flair, delicious textiles delivered a sharp arsenal of arresting pieces. Accessorized with leather riding gloves, the show kicked off with tailored jackets and coats, functional and ready to be transformed at a moment’s notice, courtesy of tear away details. Championing the leather inset and bringing the elbow patch to the front for a divinely modern look, the devil was in the details. From pleated trousers and sleeve detailing to a fetching palette of muted tones, Tommy Hilfiger created an army for the modern age, bringing the ultimate luxury to the American stage.

The Utilitarian–Cinching his men into parkas and jackets with hooded attachments, Richard Chai prepared for quite the cold season. Capturing fall in a sea of silhouettes, both fitted and relaxed, tailoring met function as Chai crafted a wardrobe of varying proportions. Wearable but still tapped into the whims of the adventurous man, timeless cuts afforded to outerwear such as the overcoat were in sync with more bold ventures that included a cropped jacket. Altogether blending an idea of loungewear with a more formal figure, Richard Chai came out on top with a conservative showing that highlighted items that men can grasp onto and love … taking a baseball jacket or beloved sweater along for the ride, season to season.

Wilhelmina–Mastering the art of the perfectly maintained men’s board, Wilhelmina lends New York Fashion Week undeniable stars such as Clement Chabernaud and Jon Kortajarena. Treasured amongst the ranks are familiar faces James Smith, Taylor Fuchs and Matthew Hitt as well as countless others. In the new faces department, Wilhelmina charms no doubt with this season’s Givenchy star, Chris Moore and striking up and comers like Taylor Cowan. Rounding out their lineup with welcomed models such as Vladimir Ivanov and Reid Prebenda, Wilhelmina solidifies a phenomenal track record in the stars department.

The Young Road to Luxury–Bringing Paris Fashion Week to a close, Swedish label Acne embarked on a collision course of young and old for a collection that peppered the classics with a free spirit. With layering playing a key component to the season’s wardrobe, interesting fabrications were utilized. From quilted shirting employed underneath a boxy short-sleeved sweatshirt to pleather worn with a formal overcoat, a rebellious quality was achieved with great subtleties. Piling on the sweaters and producing tops with varying sleeve lengths for the ultimate combination of pieces, Acne brought together tapered trousers, oversize blazers as well as suiting shorts for a highly wearable feat.

Mother Agency: Success
Clément Chabernaud began his career as a Jil Sander exclusive, opening for both the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter 2007 shows. He became the face of the brand for four consecutive seasons, all shot by Willy Vanderperre. Clément has also starred in campaigns for Roberto Cavalli, Gianfranco Ferre and Prada. This Frenchman became the new face of Balmain for Fall/Winter 2009 and Spring/Summer 2010.