For his spring 2010 collection, Gareth Pugh opted to showcase his menswear range alongside his womenswear. Despite the overwhelming responses of Pugh going soft for his latest efforts, the degree of edge does not differ significantly from his debut. More minimal perhaps, the collection takes on shades of gray for a slim silhouette that is almost apocalyptic. Somber models with ash covered faces and gray hair represent Pugh’s ideal man. Fearless in near skin-tight leather and a reinterpretation of the bolero jacket, Pugh’s man is no doubt beautiful, but an acquired taste. Airy semi-sheer tops, corsets and skirts challenge convention, while a strong focus on suiting offers a new point of view that blends militaristic and futuristic elements. Pugh embraces an aesthetic that is often accompanied by strong opinions, but only in his second collection, it is exciting to see such a young designer push the envelope, while inciting discussions about the state of menswear.
