Paris Men’s Summer 2022 Highlights 3

Nichanian scales new heights

Véronique Nichanian not only delivered the ultimate post pandemic fashion statement with her hybrid tailoring and fabric mesh up Hermès collection, she also had a fair shot at reinventing the live fashion show with her triangular défilé set up which explored symmetry, geometry and perspective. Working together with acclaimed theater director Cyril Teste, a clever mix of giant screens with cinematographic quality and multiple live cameras was installed in the courtyard of the Mobilier National in the 13th arrondissement of Paris giving the impression of a Hollywood film set. The impressive Mobilier National – more or less a French furniture design museum which outfits la Grande Nation’s embassies and ministries where Hermès often holds its shows inside – has a giant patio, which impresses by perfect symmetry and proportion. In plain sight across the Mobilier stands la tour Albert, one of Paris first skyscrapers with its impressive steel and glass construction marking Hermès as a company which deeply cares about patrimony.

The setting

What it was about?

Hermès men’s wear is always about exploring subtle nuances of style. The placement of each button or zipper matters. This time Nichanian made her detail work highly visible. Her opening look parka clearly showed how its water repellent gabardine panels were fused with sailing spinnaker that was vividly colored in tender green and fixed with visible stitching. Choosing the Mobilier with its beautiful façade further explored the metaphor of her clothes as elegant facades for men. Her closing look of a black tailored jacket where the pockets were anchored by zippers further enhanced this idea.

The opening look

The closing look

Height of chic?

The knitwear pieces, which looked like they were dipped in color vats of pink and turquoise at the bottom seam stood out.

Dipped in color

Good styling?

Starting with look number one, Nichanian combined her shorts with chunky suede Chelsea boots that looked super good. Only the heavy usage of a sailing rope belt on nearly every look was out of place.

Chelsea boot and sailing rope belt