Elizabeth Reaser

givenchy 2013 mens pre fall collection riccardo

Givenchy’s menswear—beloved of women, too, by the way—can feel like a snarling Rottweiler snap at tradition. But don’t tell Riccardo Tisci that. His pre-fall menswear, debuting exclusively here, “is important because it is about iconic recognizable shapes, fabrics, prints, and looks,” Tisci tells Style.com. “It shows this elegant man with strength who knows how to mix couture and urban street elements. He’s got the confidence to play with his own look.”

The Rotts are back—well, dobermans, this time, but who’s counting—in digital-painted versions and gnashing their teeth on buffalo plaid jumpers that should be the latest sold-out hit for a label with a long track record of them. Leather-paneled puffers and sharp tailoring are among the other standouts in a collection long on bite. You’ve got to goggle at the temerity of Tisci, to slap PERVERT on the back of a top whose label bears the name of one of couture’s most august houses. But that’s not far from his mind, either. He sprinkled a monogram motif throughout: HDG, for House de Givenchy. Food for thought: Those are the initials of its founder Hubert, whose spirit Tisci said guided his most recent women’s show.

style.com