Paris Men's Fashion Week draws to a close

_{Models wear creations for Hermes as part of the Menswear ready-to-wear Fall-Winter 2024-2025 collection. (AP)}

Paris Men’s Fashion Week, concluding Sunday, presented a fascinating spectrum of styles, encapsulating the nuanced world of men's fashion for fall-winter 2024. The week was marked by a striking dichotomy, oscillating between the realms of understated elegance and unapologetic extravagance.

1. Sacai’s Bold Warrior Chic:
Sacai, a Japanese fashion powerhouse, captivated the audience with a display of imaginative designs. Chitose Abe, known for her precision in pattern-making, transformed the runway into a battlefield of style. The collection seamlessly blended traditional Japanese warrior elements with contemporary fashion.

The standout feature was the incorporation of giant round sleeves, reminiscent of traditional warrior dress, yet pushing the boundaries of modern aesthetics. Extra-padded pocket details added a utilitarian edge, akin to a samurai's armor. A pearl trapeze silhouette garment with cushion-like embellishments epitomized the fusion of historical silhouettes and innovative design. The juxtaposition of hardness and softness, aggression and protection, was poetically portrayed. Sacai’s warrior-chic left an indelible mark, with fashion enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the upcoming Couture Week.

2. Wooyoungmi’s Pariseoul: A Cross-Continental Sartorial Symphony:
WooYoungmi's collection presented a harmonious blend of cultural contradictions and sartorial surprises. The "Paris Seoul"-emblazoned striped rugby top set the tone for a collection that seamlessly married East-meets-West styles. Modernist hats crowned sparkling tracksuits, nodding to contemporary pop culture.

Tweed jackets, influenced by traditional Asian style, boldly paired with classic Western business suits, showcased WooYoungmi’s flair for unexpected layering. An all-out denim ensemble, complemented by a whimsical "Jack and the Beanstalk" style hat, exemplified the fusion of diverse worlds, both sartorially and culturally.

3. Paris Menswear Week: A Tale of Two Extremes in Luxury:
The broader narrative of the week unfolded as a tale of two extremes in luxury. Hermès led the trend of understated luxury, featuring muted tones and classic sophistication. Long leather coats and sumptuous knitwear epitomized refined subtlety. AMI stood out with impeccably tailored suits and trench coats in rich, earthy colors, embodying timeless elegance.

In stark contrast, Balmain made a triumphant comeback, presenting a collection that screamed opulence. Bold colors and sparkling redesigns of traditional menswear created a riot of luxury. Rick Owens injected gothic elements with oversized rubber boots, adding a touch of the bizarre.

Celebrity sightings further elevated the glamour quotient, with stars like Jamie Dornan and Zayn Malik gracing front rows. Yohji Yamamoto's show featured names like Wim Wenders and Norman Reedus on the runway, with Zinédine Zidane among the spectators. Menswear Week, in its entirety, portrayed the dual nature of men’s luxury fashion, gracefully oscillating between the quietly sophisticated and the unapologetically extravagant.