PARIS — When it comes to lasting contributions to fashion, the ongoing ath-leisure phenomenon has done its bit for making functional fabrics an accepted added value of everyday wardrobes. In the span of a few years, commuter-friendly, crease-free, thermo-regulating, wind- and waterproof garments have become the new normal, with technical materials borrowing from the sports or workwear domains now a regular ingredient of urban attire.
Just ask Paul Smith, who based his burgeoning PS by Paul Smith line on pop, weatherproof, commuter-friendly garb. At his recent Pitti Uomo presentation in January, the designer told WWD that he had focused on what’s most relevant today — catering to active folk, who play hard and travel perpetually. “The raincoat will go into a tiny bag, and the coat is totally waterproof, and then all the cycling-inspired things,” the designer said, pointing to specific examples of his collection.
But while functional properties are here to stay, the days of the techy, pack-away mac look sparked by the trend may be numbered. A key direction for the spring 2018 collections of Europe’s high-end mills is fusing performance with fancies with enriched fabric interest. Some are coining it the ath-luxury trend.
The new direction, experts say, is hooked on
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