Boutique New York brand By Robert James showcased their F/W 2017 collection during Men’s Fashion Week at Dune Studios.
This collection took on a political air (and so has the company’s Twitter) as the models not only showcased clothing but were also holding prominent signs saying “#NotMyGov’t” and “#BuildBridgesNotWalls”, among other popular protest signs, mirroring the protests happening around the country not many days before. Some criticism for fashion week as a whole was the lack of commentary on the political climate of the country and that most brands, nor the CFDA (the main fashion week organizer) had not released a statement surrounding the refugee ban, unlike so many other companies. By Robert James was one of the unique brands who infused a political statement not only in his show, but in the clothing itself.
This season is largely focused on camouflaged prints and dark colors, calling to mind soldiers, resistance, and battle. Many models wore dark beanies and black cloths over their faces, obscuring features from the nose down. The models who didn’t have their faces covered had dark makeup smeared across their faces reminiscent of people in battle. One particular look was an entirely camouflage suit accessorized with an army green beanie and matching face cover, with the model holding a sign that said “#NoNuke.”
