Last weekend’s Bench Fashion Week, Joey Samson went back to an old love.
“This time, I rekindled my love affair with men’s wear,” the designer said. “Particularly the materials, so suiting [fabric] and classic and traditional tailoring. But, this time around, the proportions are bolder.”
With Frank Ocean’s haunting rendition of “Moonriver” playing in the air, models stepped out in the new hybrid ensembles born out of Joey’s rekindled love.
The bolder proportions manifested in exaggerated long sleeves and broader than broad shoulders. Blazers turned into one-shouldered capes, attached to the chest with wienerlock buckle straps. Samson also played plenty with asymmetrical tops, skirts, and dresses. He found a way to incorporate romance to the formal and structured nature of menswear through fringes, pleats, and strategically placed cut-outs.
For his finale piece, Samson created this beautiful black and white, floor-length, strapless fringe dress. “I think it’s important to be able to incorporate something formal, classy, and feminine, but not in the literal way,” Samson explained when we asked him about his decision to include the dress in this very masculine collection. “Think of something unusual in terms of material and treatment.”
Photos courtesy of Bench’s Instagram account
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