SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 23, 2005/ FW/ --- Showing an exclusively menswear collection, South African designer Paul Munroe delighted the audience with a futuristic, ala ‘Fifth Element’ men’s clothing with touches of 20th century military uniforms.

Opening with pinstripe suits that were cut slim and snug, and definitely in our time though ultra modern, Paul Monroe followed them with swimming trunks, cut off sleeves shirts and color-blocked varsity jackets.

Then the military touches began, in the suits first that were an obvious take from the WWI and WWII European army uniforms, complete with epaulets and sashes.

Going more avant-garde with the military theme, Paul Munroe chose to leave the 21st century and more forward in time, sending riveted sleeveless shirts and variegated vests with flat piping, complete with utility trousers that were inspired by paratrooper suits.

Creative and eye-catching, Paul Munroe’s menswear collection caters to the whole spectrum – from the conservative to the modern, from the geeky denizens of Silicon Valley to the club going crowd of San Francisco.

A celebrated designer in his native country, Paul Munroe’s debut in San Francisco, and effectively in the U.S. was very strong, albeit the venue was not as stellar as promised.

And it is with designers like Paul Munroe that the audience saw what they truly have lost with the mess created by the now defunct San Francisco International Fashion Week.

Because now, world-class designers like Paul Munroe will have second thoughts before coming to San Francisco, and that is truly a tragedy because San Francisco deserves better than the fiasco that was allegedly caused by just one person.

Paul Munroe

Paul Munroe

Paul Munroe

Paul Munroe