Up Pompeii! Paris Men's Fashion Goes Roman Back In Time
Sumaira FH Published June 18, 2019 | 09:14 PM
It was not quite the return of the toga, but Spanish wunkerkind Alejandro Gomez Palomo turned the fashion clock back 2,000 years at his Paris men's show Tuesday
The flamboyant Andalusian conjured up Rome at its most decadent with a procession of beautiful boys who he claimed had just stepped from the frescos and mosaics of the lost city of Pompeii.
"Buried under the volcanic ashes of Mount Vesuvius lies a distant civilisation of Palomo boys who for centuries have been subject to a deep lethargy," he declared.
Now they have come back to shake fashion from its long conformist sleep, he added, and to "become the man of the future".
Palomo believes pretty dresses are not just for girls and his clothes can be worn by men, women and everyone in between in.
And you could imagine Nero or the boy emperor Elgabulus fighting with Madonna, Beyonce and Miley Cyrus -- all fans of his Palomo Spain label -- for some of his new gladiator glam.
Watch out for versions of his centurion sandals, which strode a stylish line between sneaker boot and espadrille, in the shops next summer To the sound of imperial trumpets, he sent out his resurrected Roman dandies, socialites and emperors in clever and erudite clothes made from everything from jute to the flounciest feathers.
- Laurels in their hair - A Roman general's armour was reimagined in dripping white Andalusian lace, legionnaires' helmets evoked in chin strap headbands, breastplates turned into vinyl corsets, and dance floor dandies wore leather laurel leaves in their hair.
Palomo's dive into Roman accessories -- armbands, torcs and chainmail -- was so deep, one model wore a golden nose similar to the solid gold hooter sported by the 7th-century Byzantine emperor Justinian II.
As for the toga, he took it on a wild bacchanalian dance from a relatively simple embroidered tunic to the glammiest of tulle feather-fringed evening dresses.
Despite their feminine line, Palomo insisted that his clothes are very much designed and tailored for men -- even if lots of women were now wearing them.
"I would never call them women's dresses or say they are for women," he told AFP. "Everything is for men." The 27-year-old designer said he wanted to "liberate" men from the straitjacket of suit and trousers.
"It's great that women have helped get my clothes known, but I do not feel so qualified to design for them," he added.
- Ballet pumps and urban cowboys - Palomo -- who lives and works far from the madding fashion crowd in his home village of Posadas near Cordoba -- weaved the Roman, Spanish and Arab influences of his native region into his clothes.
But there was also a nod to the transgender hijra culture of the Indian subcontinent.
Young New York designer Emily Adams Bode -- making made her Paris debut -- also has a sideways view of what men's fashion should look like.
She had her vintage, vaguely aristo lost-boy models wear ballet pumps and cute stripey silk pyjama suits.
Bode is known for turning 100-year-old tablecloths or 1960s towels into rather beautiful shorts and jackets, all with the lightest of off-beam touches.
And she didn't disappoint with her debut Paris collection that gently flirted with gender.
Another American debutant, Spencer Phipps, took his inspiration from the much more straight-down-the-line urban cowboy, with Stetsons galore in his line of sustainable street wear.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
President Raisi leaves for Iran from Karachi
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 24 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 24 April 2024
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
More Stories From World
-
Doncic shines as Mavs sink Clippers; Timberwolves down Suns
2 minutes ago -
Israel says US military aid sends 'strong message' to enemies
52 minutes ago -
Under stress of war, gambling grips Ukrainian soldiers
1 hour ago -
Long-delayed Ukraine aid clears US Congress, awaits Biden signature
1 hour ago -
Up the Congo River on an eventful voyage aboard 'God's Miracle'
1 hour ago -
A 'healthy addiction': sea saunas make waves in Ireland
1 hour ago
-
Victims of China floods race to salvage property
2 hours ago -
China to send fresh crew to Tiangong space station
2 hours ago -
Norman says McIlroy welcome on LIV Tour, but denies any offer
2 hours ago -
China, future HQ: New ASML boss faces bulging in-tray
2 hours ago -
Trump meets former Japanese prime minister in New York
3 hours ago -
'Catch and Kill' architect details Trump-boosting scheme
3 hours ago