Paul et Joe: Celebration of Ethnicity
By: Michelle Taylor
(Photo by IndigitalTV)
PARIS, Jun 30, 2003/ FW/ --- To the sounds of the African jungle the Paul & Joe man for
spring summer 2004 walks on, cool and conscious of making up his own mind
and creating his own look.
Rasta rythms and a new creed of red, green and yellow as the designer steered
away from the reocurring themes of the mens 2004 collections so far, that
is , western, marine and the 1950s.
Jeans and tracksuits create a casual look that could be on the streets of
Paris or in Jamaica with torn off sleeves or shirts worn with sweat pants
and sporty bomber style jackets brightly coloured have writing like 'Zimbabwe'
or 'No Woman No Cry' on the back (even if it is unfortunate and ironic that
there is no democracy left in the country!)
Pop art silhouettes of rasters are on bright t-shirts, and there is exotic
colours and designs with tropical prints of parots and little panthers on
white 'plumetis' cotton.
Ties are thin and reminiscent of Dad's wardrobe like the polos and bowling
style shirts that are hemmed and complete with small waistbands. Pants are
generally tailored and streamline adding a hint of sexiness to the charismatic
'easy going' world traveller and wanderer.
Apart from the technicoloured rainbow, stripes and polka dots in black and
white are mixed and matched. Knitwear is tight and often worn under denim
or a multi-pocketed leather jacket.
The Paul & Joe man is in search of a better world, one that is equal for all
and where ethnicity is mixed and celebrated.
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