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VGrantham's Polished Appeal
By J. J. Martin
Photos courtesy of VGrantham-FWD
Milan, Jun 28, 2002/ FWD/ --- Designer Victoria Grantham described her fourth VGrantham collection as “clothes for everyday,
easy dressing.”
But more aptly put, these are the clothes in which you want to see your boyfriend emerge
from the house: relaxed and easy, yet sharp and coolly detailed.
Shown in Grantham’s new permanent Milan showroom space, the collection was infused with
personal references for the South African-born, Milan-based designer.
Hand-painted and slightly distorted images (created by Grantham's contemporary artist sister)
of Queen Elizabeth II's face were applied to leather jackets, T-shirt fronts and pant legs.
Appliques of "union jack" logos on various tops reinforced this ode-to- England theme, and
also paid tribute to Grantham's young son, Jack.
But even without these fun extra bits, the VGrantham collection was solid, and laid testament
to the designer’s distinguished menswear past at both Donna Karan and Louis Vuitton.
Grantham made good on her claim that "construction and fabrications are the most crucial
elements for menswear today" by showing interesting bowl-legged “banana pants” and offering
"inside out" detailing, which placed normally-hidden constructions like enhanced seams,
bound edges and big pockets on the outside of her garments.
Also noteworthy were the vents cut into arms and legs, which promise not only to offer relief
for next year’s heat wave here, but will also give the VGrantham guy plenty of space to move
around in.
Already kicking into high gear in her second year of menswear, Grantham is looking into
translating her casual wear concept into female form.
She has already started thinking about a women’s line, which she announced would debut with
next winter’s collection.
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