With top hats and stars printed on shirts, the word ‘Monsieur’ embroidered and chains silk-screened on jerseys, it was a serigraphic collection that was built on the whimsical charm of stage magic.

Suit jackets were adorned with straight white lines and neckties were given microscopic lines to give a trick of the eye effect.

It was figuratively a sleight of hands, wherein the design process makes you see two things at one time. Perhaps, we should say, ‘design is faster than the eyes,’ instead of ‘the hand is faster than the eyes,’ in this case.

And as with Houdini, the great escape artist, who wore chains and padlocks when he was performing, Viktor & Rolf chose the same items for accessories as tiny chains and padlocks were used as accessories.

Like last season wherein their collection was built around their successful perfume ‘Flower Bomb,’ this collection also had allusions to the design duo’s first men’s fragrance ‘Antidote.’

Since their debut in 1999 during the Haute Couture season, Viktor & Rolf has regaled the fashion set with their creativity. And as their artistry matures, they are also showing business acumen wherein they are perfecting the synthesis between design and marketing.

In New York’s Madison Avenue, that is called MAGIC!

Viktor & Rolf

Viktor & Rolf

Viktor & Rolf

Viktor & Rolf