Every man needs at least three things before he can consider his wardrobe complete. Those are, in no particular order, “a gray suit, a biker jacket and a nice coat from Paul Smith,” says Manuel Barretto, a menswear designer who recently showed a well-received collection at Philippine Fashion Week.
One would assume, naturally, that Barretto, kin to the infamous sibling actresses, would be making the gray suit. His collection was chock-full of the snappy, trim variety (in the gray hue, of course) that wouldn’t look out of place on the likes of immaculately-groomed, hip young actor types like, say, Jake Cuenca (who, incidentally, he has dressed on several occasions).
“I began designing six years ago,” Barretto says, when the Hedi Slimane-helmed Dior Homme was at its peak. “That’s when I was inspired to become a menswear designer.”
His latest collection, which revolved around the theme he dubbed “invincible,” aimed to link ideas future and past. “Melding old school and hi-tech into a distinct modern mix,” Barretto explains. The results? A slew of drop-crotch pants, lightweight jackets, trench coats, sporty tracksuits and metallic denim trousers and knitwear — lots of it.
There’s plenty to appeal to regular menfolk here, like the snug knit sweater that would work well layered over a collared shirt and casual pegged trousers. A motorcycle jacket, retro shirts and a score of figure-hugging trousers in cotton and a heavy twill were all heavy-hitters and proved that Barretto had more to offer than just fodder for hipsters with a taste for skinny pants.
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Prices range from P1,800-P2,500 for a shirt, P2,500 for pants, P3,500 for a jacket and P13,000 to P15,000 for a suit. Find M Barretto at Bureau, located at 308 Tomas Morato, QC, or Backstage, Serendra at The Fort. Contact 0917-8660705/0922-8002647 for more info.