Paris Men’s Fashion Week Gets a Reality Check
When the runway lights flicked on for men’s fashion in Paris, there was more than striking silhouettes to keep the crowd buzzing. Behind the glam, a chorus of models stormed the red carpet with complaints that two of the most iconic photographers—Mario Testino and Bruce Weber—had crossed the line.
Who are the accused?
Mario Testino, the Spaniard adored by the British aristocracy, and Bruce Weber, the American who’s shot every major brand, both slammed the allegations as “false.” Yet, their reputations couldn’t dodge the fallout.
Major Brands Pull the Plug
- Burberry (UK)
- Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, and Stuart Weitzman (US)
All these labels decided it’s cleaner to sever ties with the pair, underscoring a growing zero‑tolerance stance against abuse.
The #MenToo Movement Takes Off
Christopher Cates, a model who confessed that Weber demanded he strip just minutes after a meet‑and‑greet, championed a new wave. He boldly flipped the script with the hashtag #MenToo, echoing the spirit of #MeToo – but for the guys on the runway.
“You’re no longer the boss,” he wrote in the industry magazine Women’s Wear Daily. He urged readers to hear the stories of those “held in the shadows” before a new era can take shape.
Industry’s Check and Balance
Not long after the allegations, two luxury powerhouses, LVMH and Kering, joined forces to draft a charter tackling model mistreatment. The initiative showed that the fashion world was finally listening to its own people.
Meanwhile, casting agent James Scully blew the whistle on a “cattle‑call” at Balenciaga in March, where women were left marooned in a cramped stairwell, some even locked in the dark while agents ate. The photo‑journalistic upheaval is rewriting the rules of fair treatment.
Fashion Becomes the Conversation
Big Names, Bold Statements
Paris isn’t just a venue; it’s a runaway stage where 55 shows are slated for a week‑long spectacle, outshining Milan, London, and New York in market influence.
Spirited new designers like Palomo Spain took the opening slot on Tuesday, blending theatrical flair with a gender‑fluid wardrobe that resonated with Beyoncé’s iconic style. The 25‑year‑old, famed for dressing the pop superstar in a “dramatic, sensual” gown, cultivated a brand for a generation that mates men and women into one stylistic vision.
High‑profile Tribute: The legendary designer Azzedine Alaia will have a retrospective exhibit next to his studio, displaying 35 pieces chosen by historian Olivier Saillard. A separate exhibition celebrating the “King of Cling” will play at London’s Design Museum in May.
What’s Next?
After men’s fashion wraps up with Sunday night’s closing show, world-renowned couture “haute couture” will unfold next week. Paris, the city that never stops dreaming, continues to showcase its craftsmanship, hand‑stitched by artisans for the world’s most affluent and glamorous clientele.
