During these most recent fashion weeks in Milan and Paris, Isabel Marant hosted two big parties—to celebrate her new Italian flagship and to break ground on her first dedicated men’s boutique in the Marais. Judging from photos, both looked exactly how you’d imagine an Isabel Marant party to look: effortlessly stylish people not taking themselves too seriously.
Days later from her Paris showroom, bustling with buyers, she seemed amused by so much socializing within such a short time, admitting that the buzz had its benefits. “I’m not out much and I don’t really share my private life, so when we organize these parties, of course it helps to better understand the brand,” she said.
Or, at least, to create an experience around it in the absence of a men’s show. Among the best discoveries this season: a blouson in Prince of Wales suit fabric; watercolor-blocked sweaters; embroidered denim; and a slim, printed jumpsuit. Without trying, the majority of these looks aligned with the continuing shift toward a gentler masculinity, which Marant chalked up to the ongoing influence of her womenswear (specifically, the Étoile range). Look no further than the quilt jacket (not to be confused with quilted) or the slouchy cable knits that are now brand standbys across both categories.
As she sees it, though, the menswear should remain within a certain relatable register. “What I offer is super wearable, not too complicated,” she said. “I have no pretensions of proposing high fashion.” While this steadiness is surely appreciated by guys who are buying into the brand on a regular basis, she likely has more leeway to shake things up than she realizes. Maybe next season, whether in lieu of or in conjunction with whatever parties, she’ll make the leap to a presentation.
