Marni’s autumn / fall 2011 man isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. Or at least, he’s not afraid to look like he does. Inspired by hard-wearing, functional workwear, the collection takes elements of a workman’s uniform and transforms them into something the cool Marni guy can throw on any day of the week.
Inside boutique Marni on Milan’s trendy Via Spiga, we are greeted with racks of muted colours peppered by the odd pop of bright red and orange. The workwear inspirations are clear, yet not overt: mostly evident in the sturdiness of the fabrics and the functional nature of the pieces. As always Marni men’s straddles the space between formal and informal, taking elements from one and injecting them into the other – never too much of either, always with an underlying nonchalance. For Fall 2011 that means the little details count: shirttail lining peeping out from the bottom of a coat, ribbed wool inserts on a cropped jacket, subdued prints made for layering, corduroy pants cut at a different direction from the knee, creating a sheen-like contrast.
And the must-have centrepiece of the workwear aesthetic? A pair of slouchy overalls – a cool, modern interpretation of the boiler suit that deceptively looks like a jacket-and-pants combo from the front – but is undeniably a one-piece from the back.
On the accessories front are hats produced in collaboration with Borsalino that have ribbed wool bands, giving them that down-to-earth informal touch; brushed leather work shoes; and slim leather and canvas totes that all fit perfectly within the vision of the collection.
You can view more images from the Marni menswear fall 2011 collection at the gallery below.
