Is Mars the new black?

I love the outer space theme, seen before in a few runway shows. So when Nick Graham‘s invite came through themed “Men of Mars” for New York Fashion Week Mens (NYFWM), I was elated at the possibility of a Martian and galactic inspired collection. Both his former seasons have focused on inventive presentations, like 100 Years of National Parks for Fall 2016 and Men of the Havana for Spring 2017.

And when the boys came on the runway gleaming in metallic slim fit suits, I could not control my excitement! Being an advocate of sparkly and shiny clothing for men, the collection merged sheen with style on traditionally conservative menswear and suitings. Almost all of them were also complete with space goggles as eyewear!

Inspired by Apollo astronaut spacesuits, he had a number of silver suits, which caught my fancy immediately. One slim fit suit with a motif shirt had the model wearing his biggest smile and a bunch of silver soaked roses for effect. Another had a silver briefcase – a savvy travel companion – and silver sneakers to match. The looks were flashy but not jarring, and could easily work by day or night for the suit-wearing gentleman.

Keeping with the silver and grey and black theme were outerwear and jackets with space-like logos and motifs on the chest and sleeves. On closer inspection, these read “Get Your Ass To Mars”, fixed on a string of jackets in quilted black, nylon silver and dark printed camo. Several were accessorized with other details, like a curious weaponry style belt buckle on one of the men.

There were a series of black and white plaid suits, with a more conservative grey one in Graham’s traditional 3 piece variety, and a bolder houndstooth one with the same style, just paired with funky glasses and a galactic medallion. They were both slim fitting, and made for excellent soiree selections.

While there were other plaid suits for the less adventurous gentlemen in forest green and navy blue, these were elevated with loose hanging space motif scarves, hats, bowties and dress shirts with microprints. A series of plainer blazers and suits did well in black and navy, supplemented with bolder polka dot shirts, paisley shits and white pocket squares.

With a penchant for red, I was drawn to the two red pieces: a red blazer with a magnetic sheen paired with paisley print black and silver pants, and a red jacket and spaceship scarf with a red skinny two-inch tie on a shimmering black suit. These were clearly a staple for my wardrobe this fall.

Some printed suits were in the same slim fit variety, but complete with over the top motifs like rocket prints, fleur-de-lis, and one made for Movember with mustaches all over it, complete with matching shoes! In deep purple, black and chocolate colors, respectively, these were pieces I would probably sport, but likely only for a few occasions.

While less theatrical than his previous season, the trip to Mars was sure worth it, and didn’t even relay any jetlag! But it did mandate the need for sunglasses, for the future was surely going to be shiny.

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