Lil Boat with a lot more little boats.
Earlier this year it was announced that the nautically themed rapper would join Nautica as a creative designer and as such he paid a little visit to the New York Fashion Week Men’s Fall 2017 presentation. While the presentation itself was vibrant and a fun departure from Nautica’s traditional muted pallet, Yachty definitely stole the show. In a backstage interview with GQ, Yachty admitted he played a minimal role in this season’s show, but that’s hard to believe after looking at the collection.
Music has always influenced fashion and vice versa. While sportswear and streetwear have been more and more incorporated into high fashion in the past decade it’s likely that this ready-to-wear collection will be a success, especially when trap superstar Yachty is at the face of this change. Yachty told GQ the biggest change he hopes to make with Nautica is to make it more accessible to a wider demographic. When Yachty appeared at the presentation he took photos with fans and friends before being walked through each look and shaking hands with some of the models.
In recent years we’ve seen a revival of beloved 90s brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Champion in popular culture, but Nautica has just upped the ante by presenting an entire new collection inspired by that very 90s nostalgia. The fall 2017 collection is titled 1990: Reimagined Heritage. As Nautica pointed out “bold color, colorblocking, and the classic anchor icon” has always been a part of Nautica’s clothing, but this collection brings the classics to the forefront.This season’s color pallet included red, navy, white, and green with a plethora of colorblocking. “Classic is cool again” says Nautica and they’re not wrong.
The 20, individual looks comprised of new designs for 2017 as well older designs such as the 95 Sherpa fleece and 97 Signal Fisherman jacket all brought into the 21st century with newer and more fashionable fabrics. Each look was paired with Gola sneakers and Timberlands. This collection fully embraced Nautica’s sportswear side with looks verging on streetwear.
My two favorite looks by far were no. 4 and no.13. Both were bulkier in silhouette. Look 4 featured the classic 96 nylon track pant design in red with a jet navy quilted nylon military jacket the navy and red color blocking were all tied together with the white gola sneakers with red and navy accents. There was something so obvious and cohesive in the pairing of these relaxed track pants with a more form- fitted jacket that made it seem effortless. My favorite part of loo 13 was the Moss Green puffer jacket, another revival piece from 1999. The bold N and arm patch add to the jackets cache, without going overboard and provide a classic/retro shape that’s coveted in today’s streetwear designs.
PHOTO CREDIT: REX Shuttershock & Highsnobiety
