…Neil Barrett is a designer’s designer and was part of the 90’s menswear minimalism group along with Jil Sander, Helmut Lang and Prada where he worked before he set out on his own. Celebrating his post-pandemic return to the runway in his sleek headquarter, he offered a concentrated fashion lesson on less is better, clearly inspired by Dieter Rams’ design ethos for Braun. Barrett brought back the chunky boots from his very first runway show and paired them with the most minimal of tailoring.
Minimalistic design approach
Chunky boots
While Milan sees a whole generation of streetwear inspired brands like Marcelo Burlon County of Milan, Dsquared2, Off-White and other New Guards group labels clinging to dear life because consumer taste is shifting away from logo-driven clothes and veering towards well-made and thought-out garments, Barrett has hit a sweet spot with this collection placing him firmly as a pioneer of fashion made for real life. Let’s not forget that a grey single breasted three button jacket or a simple black cardigan can only be a fashion item if the attitude created around it works and Barrett masters this.
Super simple style
Best looks?
There was a faux layering story with necklines and hems trimmed in white framing the simple silhouettes coolly. His three-button single-breasted suits in grey, brown, and dark blue looked brand new and perfectly judged. Interspersing the color palette with flashes of acid green and yellow felt fresh as well.
Faux layering
Toned down tailoring
Color flashes
A pant story?
This collection took its shape from super exclusive fabric blends and the shorts and slightly high-water pants – just the way Barrett wears them himself – looked stellar because they were all carefully creased in the middle.
Focus on pants
Neil Barrett taking his bow after presenting his S/S 2024 collection
