TWO WAYS: Betting big on menswear while going coed — at Etro, both ways are possible. The company said Monday it’s launching a new men’s line while its next runway show will be staged in February during Milan Fashion Week, planned to run Feb. 20 to 26.
“Imagination is a land of endless opportunities and in February we will seize them by bringing together our male and female universes in a unique narrative that will convey the brand’s codes in all their unifying force,” said Marco De Vincenzo, who took the creative helm of Etro’s women’s, men’s and home lines more than a year ago.
That doesn’t mean the fashion house will stay on the sidelines during the city’s men’s fashion week, which will run from Jan. 12 to 16.
On Jan. 14, Etro will mark the debut of its new men’s tailoring collection, unveiling its first store exclusively dedicated to the line and the made-to-order service. While details are still under wraps, the new unit opening in Via Montenapoleone will coincide with the presentation of the collection to select international buyers at Etro’s headquarters.
De Vincenzo made his men’s debut for the brand last January with a strong fall 2023 collection that already showed a penchant for groovy tailoring cut in ‘70s-inspired elongated silhouettes and wavy velvet suits spotlighting the brand’s textile heritage. Other options, such as tuxedo pants delicately embroidered with flowers at the waist, were paired with check shirts for outfits that evoked Etro’s DNA without the need for literal references.
“When it comes to menswear, all it takes are a few ingredients to make a garment shine.…And it really takes little to turn something into ‘Etro’: You put together an embroidery and the right print and the brand is there, it speaks for itself. It’s a little bit like magic,” De Vincenzo said at the time.
That effort was followed by a youthful spring 2024 lineup, imbued with more relaxed sartorial options, including suits pairing maxi vests with fluid pants and oversize blazer jackets coming with roomy below-the-knee shorts.