RUNWAY: Michael Bastian SS15

A few weeks after the menswear shows wrapped in Paris, Michael Bastian, as well as a small contingent of New York-based mens designers, showed editors and buyers what they had to offer. For Bastian, it was all about how the modern man living in the Southwest dresses. Cliches like fringe and cowboy hats were avoided; instead the designer proffered a sexy take on western shirts, exposing a simple graphic tee or a bare chest, while shorts and pants were slim and tailored. The detailing on those garments included ribbing around the knees to button accents on the pockets; also interesting were a pair of cargo pants that bucked the all-too-popular trend of loose and baggy. The tailored pieces, in lightweight denim and linen jackets, are where Bastian hits the highest notes, creating edgier looks with lapels popped up or paired with a colorful pockets square. In all, the collection was quintessentially Michael Bastian, with a shift of focus from New England Americana to Southwest America.