"PROJECT" Menswear Show - Spring/Summer 2019

On January 22, my Introduction to the Fashion Business class attended PROJECT, the menswear trade show at the Javits Center. I had the opportunity to view upcoming menswear trends for spring/summer 2019, which included tie-dye, camouflage, shearling jackets, fur-hooded coats, and plaid. The atmosphere was very exciting.

My experience started in a formalwear section, displaying suits and formal shoes, with the main focus being around the Chelsea boot in black.

We got a chance to speak to North 56°4, a brand that had traveled to the PROJECT show from Denmark to promote their ‘Canada Goose’ style fur-trimmed hooded parkas. They displayed their new seasonal range of jackets, which they created based on high demand generated by last season’s collection. I particularly enjoyed discussing the new season with the North 56°4 staff.

Besides winter jackets, the vibe of the show was summer! The British luxury clothing retailer Ted Baker presented their latest trends ‘on a beach’ with a display that included palm trees and deck chairs. (I appreciated the atmosphere of approaching summer solstice.)

The tie-dye trend was inescapable across the show floor, with prints showing in a range of colors on t-shirts, polos, and short-sleeved shirts, most commonly in a mixture of blues and whites.

The evident plaid trend for the spring/summer ‘19 season involved shades such as pale-blue and yellow—they usually took the form of flannel shirts, tailored tweeds, and woolen blazers in darker shades. Also on the trade show floor were military colors, including khaki and dark green on baggy trousers and polo shirts.

Fabrics featured at PROJECT were a mix of synthetic materials, such as nylon with a mix of linen; cotton was featured from the upmarket brands. The idea behind these materials is that the apparel is lightweight and breathable for summer while remaining available in a variety of colors and seasonal shades. Pants and outerwear materials were slightly thicker but cuts were more baggy silhouette.

I personally loved attending the PROJECT trade show because it gave me the chance to see all the new collections up close and observe the trends featured on the runway transformed into everyday apparel.