Armand Basi: Homage to the Swing Era
By Michelle Taylor

PARIS, Jan 25, 2004/ FW/ --- Yesterday, at the Galerie Durand Dessert, sounds of swing filled the room, leaving the front row no choice but to tap their feet.

And as press notes state ‘The swing style was soon to have thousands of followers...a form of rebellion, complicity and a breath of fresh air against intolerance in music.’

Armand Basi interprets the age of swing for his menswear autumn winter 2004/05 collection in Paris, an era that changed fashions, opinions and began tearing down prejudices.

Basi successfully uses today’s trends such as layering of shirts and t-shirts, and the desire for comfort with style, yet without giving up attention to sartorial detail.

The 1930’s and 1940’s, with its music bought distinct trends, such as wide trousers, large prints and stripes. Basi prints caricatures of black singers onto shiny shirts and t-shirts and signatures graphically patterned knitwear ‘swing’ in graffiti-style tagging.

Full-length pants are comfortable and roomy with low crutches, in plain or pinstriped traditional fabrics.

You can just imagine a beautiful Armand Basi boy cycling his way along the weaving Seine in peddler style shorts that finish at the knee with knee high socks in argyle checks and old world hand made leather shoes, flat cap and soft leather driving gloves.

Knitwear is patterned with graphical designs that weave along the male torso, and the eye cant help but follow the trail of the contouring lines, making it snug.

Jackets are neat with either two or three buttons, but easily transformed into practical, active and functional simply by matching them with baggy pants, or by placing a technical modern fabric zip waistcoat underneath.

A reserved palette in greys, browns and black with highlights of blues and reds to brighten up those sad winter days.

Basi concentrates on old worldly values of traditional men’s tailoring such as fabric choice and detail, giving way to retro sophistication.

Armand Basi

Armand Basi

Armand Basi

Armand Basi