Discover Officine Générale Fall Winter 2017.18 collection presented during the Paris Fashion Week.
FALL WINTER 2017/18 MENSWEAR COLLECTIONS
When re-reading the articles and reviews about Officine Générale, I noticed two words were coming back more frequently than others: « autobiographical » and « French ». The first one is entirely claimed. My collections are only made of what I like, and what I want to wear at this precise moment. But, the second one, is it that obvious? It is probably because I unconsciously transpose what surrounds me, and what has inspired me since childhood. This «French style» seems to exist. Roger Vadim, Maurice Ronet, Francois Truffaut, Jonas Bloquet, Louis Garrel, Jacques Dutronc, Tahar Rahim, Jean-Michel Frank, Benjamin Biolay, Nicolas Godin… A few names from a list that will never be entirely exhaustive. Romantic nostalgia you ask? I don’t believe so. The inspiring modernity that these men have carried is timeless, imperceptible to some eyes, and a true necessity for our day and age. The challenge is real: how do you materialize this modernity without coming up with clichés? How do you express this extra touch of impalpable soul that people call attitude? This season I tried, modestly, to tap into the roots of French masculinity. The little things that make a huge difference. A collar slightly unbuttoned nonchalantly, a scarf obediently knotted, a sweater under a shirt, a wrinkled side, a little piece of T-shirt coming out, a belt without a buckle, a white jean in the middle of the winter. This series of elements, that, placed end to end, create an elegant outfit, far from being accidental. Some may see these decisions as little marks of bad tastes, but for us, they’re intentional. The pursuit of modernity cannot mean sacrificing the fabrics’ authenticity. Quality shall not be put aside with the excuse that everything is going faster and faster. Quality is the unswerving link, the solid thread, that I have weaved with my clients since day one. Quality is the reason they come back. Once curiosity has passed, it is quality that makes a brand grow. In an age where illusion prevails over reality and pompous is more important than fundamental, it is evident that detail is more important than ever before. This season, as I hope you will have understood by now, will be French. – Pierre Mahéo
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All images courtesy of Officine Générale