Philipp Plein packed the bar at the Principe di Savoia hotel for his fall Billionaire show, forcing some guests to sit at the speakers or stand in front of the live five-piece rock band, Alessandro Ristori & The Portofinos, whose mesmerizing leader sways his hips like Elvis once did.
The retro music and the elegant, formal atmosphere did not foreshadow the first look that appeared: a beautiful brown corduroy puffer jacket, a baseball cap placed on the model's head because maybe, just maybe, he didn't wash his hair today.
Given the almost cinematic setting, one could imagine some coming out as characters from lavish productions of “Brokeback Mountain” or “The Sicilian Clan,” or Gunter Sachs that time he wore loden.
But Plein's collection is very much aimed at today's jet-setting crypto kings: for strolling around St. Moritz or for outdoing other men at Oscar night parties. Some of the initial looks reminded me of what a Brooklyn barista would dress if he suddenly made a fortune.
“Modern dandy”, is how Plein described the attitude towards fashion in the show notes. Among the 21 outings were Billionaire's first designs for women, including cashmere coats and three-piece suits. Menswear far outshined these four teaser looks.
Aside from the shiny exotic leather covering the shoulders of some puffers, the clothing didn't scream its luxurious and expensive nature, positioning Billionaire as one of those “if you know, you know” brands.
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