Isabel Marant seemed besotted with the models in these photos—new-ish face George Culafic and Alton Mason, who it is an understatement to say, has been making waves. Mainly, she seemed quite chuffed to see them in her clothes, which she summed up as “style but with accessibility.” What she might have added but probably didn’t because it’s always challenging to find words that don’t sound at once hackneyed and smug, is that the magic of this latest Isabel Marant men’s collection is in the way the layering really does appear effortless. And that’s not a given when, unlike myriad other designers right now that are thinking in terms of coordinated looks, this collection comes together from its disparate parts.
According to Marant, the pieces here that matter include any of the outdoorsy sweaters, ponchos, and outerwear items that nod to traditional textiles; the worn-in relaxed jeans; the oversized and extra-long corduroy over shirt; a patchwork chambray jumpsuit; and the hoodie-style gray coat in a wonderful boiled wool. Essentially, they bring a more textural, almost rustic counterpoint to the standard urban, sporty wardrobe (which remained well-represented with logo items and attractive ecru jogging-style pants). For customers who want to wear a suit “without looking so monsieur, ” she suggested tailoring in watermelon corduroy and more classic flannel.
On the subject of color, the camo rain slicker that looked like vinyl but was actually coated linen didn’t entirely relate to the rest but spiking the lineup like this is right out of the Marant playbook. The gradient orange mohair sweater, meanwhile, is similar to one worn by Drake not so long ago, and with Timothée Chalamet also recently photographed in a pair of Isabel Marant pants, the designer betrayed a modicum of delight about her poster boys.
