spring/summer / Global
10 season’s best
From Paris Fashion Week to Pitti Immagine Uomo Monocle’s fashion team bring you their favourite made-to-last looks for this spring.
01 Megumi Ochi
Spanish steps
Moving from Fukuoka to Alicante, by way of London College of Fashion, shoe designer Megumi Ochi, 36, relocated to be near the best Spanish shoe factories. This is her sixth season gracing the soles of señoritas everywhere.
info@megumi / ochi.com
02 MaxMara
Make it work
Fresh back from the women’s autumn/winter 09 shows, where the skirt suit and overcoat was a strong theme, the working woman will have pick of the crop towards the end of the year when it comes to shopping. Until then, pre-empt the look with this overcoat by MaxMara, paired with shirt by Polo Ralph Lauren, skirt by CP Company and shoes by Camper.
maxmaraclothing.com
03 Prada
Treading softly
With wrinkled blazers and jackets held (just about) together with a strap around the neck, the spring/summer 2009 men’s collection from Miuccia Prada is a casual take on traditional tailoring, following a few too many seasons of slim-fit, structured suits from most designers. These thin-soled leather slippers are an extension of Prada’s amorphous new concept.
prada.com
04 Comme des Garçons Homme Deux
London calling
Launched earlier this year at Pitti Immagine Uomo (see issue 21), this season the West will finally have a chance to get their hands on Rei Kawakubo’s dresswear collection, which has been available in Japan since 1987.
doverstreetmarket.com
05 Valextra
Zip and go
Designed for travel and business, this is a classic Valextra shape, called the S-Series. Larger versions of the bag include shoulder straps and compartments for a laptop. This version is a perfect shopping companion.
valextra.it
06 Hugo Boss
Perfect fit
With a welcome return to the runways of Paris this January, Hugo by Hugo Boss is slowly becoming our favourite out of the four collections operated by the Boss brand. With a fit so precise you could only expect it from a German, this blazer is shown with a Dunhill shirt, a good pair of jeans, and shoes from Loro Piana.
hugoboss.com
07 Rahnsäter
Swedish and simple
Established in 2008, Rahnsäter specialises in handmade leather bags, all produced in Sweden from Swedish and Italian leather. Known for its clean, classic designs, last month Rahnsäter launched its first women’s collection at Paris Fashion Week.
rahnsater.com
09 Uniqlo
High street hit
“I think you must be surprised to see me here,” was how Jil Sander announced her new advisory role at Uniqlo last month. While the high street holds its breath to see how Sander’s famously austere style will compute with the Japanese brand known for its fun colour palette, stock up on its sterling basics, including this season’s Oxford shirt.
uniqlo.com
10 Closed
Nude portrait
Hamburg-based label Closed is making a name for itself with its high-quality, wearable clothes. Nude shades will be making a statement this season in womenswear, and this safari jacket paired with a vest and trousers will see you make the most of the trend. Closed also offers a great online retail service, with free shipping across Europe.
closed.com