Ann Demeulemeester Menswear Fall 2009
Ann Demeulemeester Menswear Fall 2009

PARIS, Jan 26, 2009 (Updated Feb 7, 2009) / FW/ — Its Heathcliff of Wuthering Heights and Edward Rochester of Jane Eyre meet Nick Cave to go horseback riding.  Calling him romantic will be redundant especially as he is dressed in cream and black multi-buttoned coat paired with slim fitting jodhpurs and matching riding boots.

Broodingly romantic with a glam edge courtesy of the thick fur coats, this Byronic hero is also of today. Come to think of it, humankind in general has not reinvented itself since the Victorian era at least. Today’s Guitar Heroes, especially from the rock & roll genre have so many things in common with the Byronic hero.

Both are magnetic and charismatic, has the power of seduction and sexual attraction. Both of them also struggle with integrity, a tendency to be arrogant and capable of self destructive behavior.

Ann Demeulemeester, choosing the 21st century equivalent of Lord Byron as the basis of her Fall 2009 collection hit a note as today’s heroes also demonstrate flaws in their characters – Olympic hero Michael Phelps caught on camera smoking pot and baseball star Alex Rodriguez testing positive for steroids.

As I have already said before, fashion designers might not be very politically vocal, but their creations speak volumes about their understanding of the current zeitgeist.

[MARI DAVIS]

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Paris Menswear Fall 2009