PARIS, Jun 27, 2009 / FW/ — ‘Manitou’, a term used to designate the spirits among many Algonquian groups, refers to the concept of one aspect of the interconnection and balance of nature / life.
Entitling his Spring / Summer 2010 collection ‘Manitou’, Jeroen Van Tuyl embraced the Algonquian’s shamanistic traditions wherein the manitous (as in plural) are connected to achieve a desired effect, like plant manitous for healing
Translating that into fashion terms, Van Tuyl envisioned pieces of clothing as ‘manitous’ wherein the desired effect is stylish dressing.
Staying true to his inspiration, the Dutch designer proposed a new ‘vest’. Created with downward pointing chevrons and worn like an apron, the vest is reminiscent of a warrior’s armor.
Speaking of vests, Van Tuyl also reconstructed a new one, making the vest like a blouson and thus giving it the option of being worn alone (without a suit).
Suits are cut with rounded shoulders, whether they were offered with a collar or without. Van Tuyl’s take on the traditional suit jacket will surely be noticed by the mainstream crowd while the fashion forward ones will make a beeline to the collarless style.
Using darts to give it shape, the collarless suit is the Manitou between man and his clothes.
[MARI DAVIS]