The cast of models, girls and boys, sat on overstuffed leather couches and Persian carpets as a group of Paris-based Maori performed a haka. The council of the cool kids was in session at Les Benjamins: inspired by the Asia-Pacific, specifically Australia and New Zealand, Turkish designer Bünyamin Aydin mixed his streetwear with motifs inspired by aboriginal culture.
Shape-wise, he stayed the course of hoodies and sweatshirts, shorts and jogging pants, souvenir jackets and T-shirts, the expected fare in elevated sportswear in the now. Memorable looks were a poncho in the season’s print, leather trackpants paired with a matching biker jacket, and open-shouldered sweatshirt with embroidered sleeves, the openings bordered with straps and sleeves embroidered with snakes. The abundance of looks stretched the inspiration taut.
“What is important to me is to create awareness. With the digital age, we forget our histories and cultural heritage,” the designer said backstage. “It’s like giving an update to the culture of today, the Millennial age.”
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See More From the Men’s 2018 Collections:
Valentino Men’s Spring 2018: Pierpaolo Piccioli’s casual lineup was all about self-expression.
Y/Project Men’s Spring 2018: The collection was more merch-friendly without losing any of the edge.
Cédric Charlier Men’s Spring 2018: Called “Playtime,” the starting point for the coed collection was a sculpture by Todd Knopke.
Balenciaga Men’s Spring 2018: Demna Gvasalia’s collection was an ode to Sunday in the park with Dad
Jil Sander Men’s Spring and Resort 2018: Lucie and Luke Meier debuted at Jil Sander with a women’s and a men’s collections, which offered a fresh, new take on the signature rigorous elegance of the brand.
Fausto Puglisi Men’s Spring 2018: Urban, baggy silhouettes met references to the Ancient Greek and Roman cultures in this capsule collection.