Givenchy Men’s Spring 23 – by Aybuke Barkcin

In a blindingly white smoky setting, Creative Director Matthew Williams opted for a runway filled with water, playing on the reflection of the models as they made a splash circling around the white totem like cube in the middle of the courtyard of École-Militaire.

For the Givenchy Mens spring/summer23 show, Williams continued exploring the sphere of streetwear with an industrial overtone.

The line-up was a play on the contemporary American uniforms with French accents; denim Bermudas, tactical vests with multiple pockets, face covering masks in Givenchy logos, leather varsity jackets combined with immaculate tool work, motorcycle pants covered in zippers and hoodies with different logo variations. Midway through the show, the looks moved from streetwear to a more tailored approach, featuring loose blazers, trousers slashed at the knee and sleeveless tops accessorised with heavy hardware that came in sleek “G” shaped chains and bulky backpacks.

The clothes seemed to find their inspiration from the people around Williams’s life. While some carried a celeb off-duty aura, others felt like the type of ensembles we could see the stars wearing to an award show. Nevertheless, they were nothing we haven’t seen before. The season clearly indicated Givenchy’s vision to move towards a commercial direction, targeting the Gen-Z.

 

Aybuke Barkcin

Aybüke Barkçin is an art director, photographer, curator and writer that looks at fashion through the lens of political and societal dynamics. She completed her master's Creative Direction in POLIMODA, Italy and has a background in International Relations and Graphic Design. Her work can be found in her website: https://www.aybukebarkcin.com/