“Ultra-fine cloaks billowed ferociously in the air as FMX bikes raced skyward at Celine. “The 17th-century highwayman was an obvious influence at Saint Laurent, while Giambattista Valli’s capes conjured up ideas of magicians when coupled with evening attire,” Groves commented. On the flip side, highwaymen and robbers have also donned capes since forever, and so these garments also came to symbolize concealment and secrecy. “This tradition gives rise to the notion of caped crusaders, who preserve justice, battle crime and do heroic acts.” “Historically, the role of the Roman Tribune, who wore long red capes, was to protect ordinary citizens from the oppression of the nobles and defend their liberties against the authority of the senate and consuls,” he noted. during the Roman Republic, when generals donned the paludamentum, a long cloak fastened on one shoulder as a ceremonial act when heading out for war. (He turned out to be Constanza’s divorce lawyer.)Īccording to Groves, cloaks came to prominence as a man’s garment as far back as 500 B.C. The cape also enjoyed a quizzical pop-culture moment in a 1994 episode of “Seinfeld,” when Jerry and Elaine spot Frank Costanza on the street with a mysterious man wearing sunglasses and a cape. “It’s got a certain kind of panache or drama about it,” Steele said, mentioning the cape’s far-flung associations with cartoon heroes and villains, and also extravagant entertainers like Liberace. Yet on the contemporary runway, or as depicted in fashion films, designer capes for men telegraphed extreme glamor and elegance, along with a side helping of mystery, which seems to run through the thread of the garment. She described the cape as a “really basic, ancient garment” worn by the Aztecs and countless cultures around the Mediterranean. “Protection is something that people have felt in need of because of the pandemic.” “I think it may have something to do with the idea of wrapping and protection,” concurred Valerie Steele, director of The Museum at FIT. She who dons the cape, can well and truly save herself.Saint Laurent, men’s spring 2022 Courtesy of Saint Laurent “A cape emphasizes the glamour of the piece.” Perhaps it is this princess-cum-hero quality of the cape that makes this fashion element timeless and especially attractive this season. “The purpose of inserting capes to a collection is to add a majestic allure,” says Murad. An intimate elegance can be found here as well as remnants of the cape’s ancient and protective uses. Some are merely fastened to a slim-fit outfit while others are attached to a flowy robe-like dress with long sleeves with a cut just above the hand so that you can ever so slightly see the fingers. To that end, the designer often incorporates capes. They are the epitome of contemporary majesty. Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad’s showstopping gowns, suits, and skirts have long been known for their showy, sequin-laden, and dazzling appeal. “In our last couture collection, we presented caped skirt suits and printed capes, endowing them with a more modern and casual feel,” he states of his sartorial cape approach. From ready-to- wear to haute couture, capes have also appeared in many of Georges Hobeika’s collections.
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