MONSIEUR JEROME

After photographing countless guys with cap, I felt like offering my selection. I'm not wearing cap but like that designers are creating insane patterns or designs.

Let's start with Marc Jacobs with New Era for this 59FIFTY fitted cap.

Hixsept is a french label created by Aurélien Arbet and Jérémie Egry in 1999. European labels always managed to stay elegant and simple when doing streetwear. Pictured here is their denim and suede model.

San Francisco based streetwear label, HUF, has this season a really cool hawaiian prints collection. Here 2 models. More on their website.

Their chambray model (logo on it) and denim model (no logo) are good examples that skateboard label can offer subtle design. 

I love this Supreme world map cap. Insane.

And of course this cap from their collaboration - already sold out - with Comme des Garcons.

Obey is everywhere. Their OBEY logo cap is now a classic but they also have original styles this season with these floral chambray caps, their Navajo print on jute or their denim cap.

Fairends made these caps with fabrics from Ghana.

I love UNDEFEATED (and this camo cap). NYC needs UNDEFEATED!

Funny cap "We're sorry tomorrow" by Boston based label Bodega. Go check their website: cool stuff to shop!

Mishka NYC teamed up with New Era for their Lamour's dripping Simon Skull Keep Watch. Like also their Past Time snapback black cap.

Anything else? Of course, the Givenchy cap (but everybody knows it).

Michael (31) us wearing a cap by Monster, a vintage perfecto, a t-shirt by American Apparel. Shorts are by Adidas and bag is designed by Hussein Chalayan for Puma.

I run into Michael for the second time 10 days. He's a bit special to me since he's one of the first person i've photographed last december when Monsieur Jerome started. So thank you!

Fidel (27) is wearing a G-Star Raw denim jacket over a French Connection shirt. Jeans are by Zara and shoes by Kenneth Cole.

I first began a dialogue with the fashion designer, Niels Peeraer, on a train platform at Antwerp Central station, years ago. We were both inconveniently delayed by a late incoming train bound for Paris, due to heavy snowfall on the tracks beyond the city. I have vivid recollections, in part, of the conversations between us later onboard, as the train moved from Brussels towards the French capital. Niels was in the throws of completing a collection for his final fashion project at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. I remember, as the sky turned to intense black outside, his vivid banter about the hunt he was about to undertake in Paris for synthetic fur – a material that was to form a pivotal role in his collection. I tried to imagine just how he would use this, but little did I know the brilliant and otherworldly forms it would eventually be manifested in.

Niels’ work cannot be, nor should it be, categorized as clothing for either man or woman. As Niels says himself, his work is “created  for any dreamer who feels connected or touched by a piece, surpassing the boundaries of womenswear and menswear”  and that are not afraid to be themselves in a world that is so often about fashion ‘rules’. In a non-aggressive way, it should be said, Niels’ world “is not about shocking or making a statement, it’s simply about bringing an innocent happiness to the serious everyday life”. Each individual collection is presented within a fantastical world created by Niels.

His collections, to date, have been made up of highly detailed pieces that are meticulously crafted by hand in materials such as fabric sheers, furs and leather. His design piece for the historic Belgian fashion house, Delvaux, is a clever take on a classic Japanese container.

Unlike many fashion designers who often create an imaginary world for others to inhabit whilst they themselves may appear dressed in the jeans/t-shirt uniform, Niels himself is a creature of his brilliant world. I ran into Niels again recently, by chance, on a street in Paris, where he is now based. It was an icy cold winter morning, and I remember him appearing suddenly near the exit of the Palais Royale courtyard as though he was in fact a pale faun stepping quietly from beyond the edge of a fog covered forest. 

- Albano

Photo credit: Wenn-Kee Hsu

Vincent (21) is wearing a vintage japanese kimono over a Dolce and Gabbana shirt. Leggings are from Halston, shoes are by himself and bag is by YSL. Necklace and rings are vintage or from different flea markets.

Prada had the brilliant idea to commission Roman Polanski for this 3 minutes feature. He wrote and directed this project starring Helena Bonham Carter and Ben Kingsley. The movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

'When I was asked to shoot a short movie for Prada, I did not think that could really be myself, but the reality is that in the total freedom I was given, I had the opportunity to reunite my favourite group of people on set and just have fun.'

A Prada spokesperson said that branding had been kept to a minimum, adding: 'We wanted to keep it light and funny, we see this as a film, not an advertisement.'

Shot in Paris a few months ago, the Cannes Film Festival became interested after Polanski sent it to the festival director. It's now available on the brand's website.  

Ozzy (21) is wearing a jacket by Fresh and Jae, t-shirt by Mishka, pants from H&M. Sneakers are by Adidas and backpack by Sprayground.

Sam (19) is wearing a cap and t-shirt by Supreme, pants by Levi's, sandals by Prada and backpack by T-Level.

William (28) is wearing a vintage suit, custom made shirt, a vintage hat and Alden shoes.