Few of us will ever take on the trek to Everest
Base Camp, but that hasn’t stopped men’s
fashion from harnessing the mountaineering
spirit, now as sought after on the street
as on Himalayan hiking trails. Think haute
couture meets high performance: a taped-
seam, Thermolite-padded and heat-bonded
spin on the savoir-faire of Savile Row.
It’s a trend that trekked firmly onto the
A/W18 runways: take the reflective and
multi-pocketed gilets and fleece sweaters
at Lucas Ossendrijver’s Lanvin, Gucci’s gem-
swathed hiking boots, Junya Watanabe’s
collaborations with North Face, Karrimor
and Canada Goose, and Prada’s celebration of
functional nylon. Even at June’s Pitti Uomo
94 – considered the epicentre of tailoring
and Italian sprezzatura – the menswear
platform’s I Go Out installation was aimed at
assimilating fashion with an active lifestyle.
The installation showcased nearly 30
global activewear brands, including hiking
shoe stalwarts Danner and Diemme, and
merino wool specialist Reda Active, against
a leafy eco-friendly backdrop. This fresh-air
focus is one pioneered by hip menswear»Opposite, far left, vest, £295, by And Wander.
Top, £640; shorts, £1,020, both by Prada. Shoes, €305,
by Roa. Hat, ¥16,000 ($145); gloves, ¥11,000 ($100),
both by Nonnative. Maverick Chronograph Black
Edition, £589, by Victorinox. Opposite, main picture,
jacket, $2,160, by Templa. Wool jacket, £625, by
Stone Island. Shirt, ¥9,000 ($81); trousers, ¥33,000
($299), both by Nonnative. Shorts, £100, by PE Nation.
Collar, ¥8,000 ($73); hat, ¥16,000 ($145); gloves,
¥11,000 ($100), all by Nonnative. Shoes, €305, by Roa.
This page, left, jacket, €1,320, by Herno. Jacket
(underneath), ¥65,000 ($588), by Nonnative. Trousers,
£290, by Stone Island. Shoes, €305, by Roa. ‘Lucano 4’
stepladder, £349, by Metaphys, from The Conran
Shop. This page, right, jacket, €890; vest, €545;
liner, €490, all by Nemen. Shirt, £305, by Descente
Allterrain. Trousers, £305, by Stone Island∑
Fashion
119