More often than not, when you hear the phrases “French chic” or “Parisian style,” you’ll get an image in your head of a slender woman in skinny jeans, a striped shirt, maybe a black leather jacket, cool aviator shades, and fringed bangs. For years, womenswear designers have monopolized Parisian style as an exclusively feminine trope, but for Fall 2019, Alexandre Mattiussi changed that. This season, he offered a menswear collection for his brand, Ami, that felt intrinsically and elegantly French, displaying that “cool” attitude without being too nonchalant. He referred to is as “an homage to the bourgeoisie,” with nods to style staples such as sharp tailoring (with casual touches) and hints of houndstooth and herringbone. The collection was masterfully chic and, surprisingly, notwithstanding the few womenswear looks, distinctly masculine. Though it was a tame kind of manliness, the looks still displayed a fervent masculine vibe, and neither did the neutral palette nor the knitwear soften the aesthetics. A few big proportions offered a slight quirk that made it less normcore, but most of the time, they were a little unflattering. Arguably the most delectable items were the outerwear pieces in leather, be it in shimmering black or a delicious shade of chocolate brown. They added touches of streetwise toughness and sleekness without sacrificing the underlying sophistication. Come fall, this collection is bound to fly off the racks!
Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com
