In his sixth season in collaboration with GANT, Michael Bastian turned to the Galapagos and the concept of exploration and evolution for his Spring/Summer 2013 collection, which was unveiled in Manhattan on September 12th as part of New York Fashion Week.

To realize this inspiration, Industria Superstudio was transformed into an untouched corner of the Galapagos Islands, ready for modern-day explorers. Models floated on islands of riotous flora and pattern; others were happily marooned on shipwrecks. Overhead palm leaves framed a screen showing models cheekily showing off the collection in animated GIFs. Technical elements, including netting and mesh adorned the space, creating an organic and rugged environment.

Meanwhile, guests sipped on custom Appleton Estate Jamaican Rum cocktails, such as The Daytripper and The Explorer, and swayed to Latin music ranging from Me Encanta by Carla Morrison to Dance Again by JLo featuring Pitbull. Fans of the brand Nick and Joe Jonas swung by the presentation to see the new collection, wearing their favorite GANT pieces and chatting with the designer.

 

With American sportswear as his foundation, Michael Bastian created a collection that teams the technical aspects of clothing required to explore this fragile but brutal ecosystem, with romantic elements that pay homage to the long history of explorers visiting the islands. South American prints and  shocks of bright yellow, orange, red, turquoise and silver are balanced with an explorer’s go-to khaki. For men, signature pieces include an over-dyed madras blazer, the classic MB camo cargos, an olive and turquoise technical parka, the new explorer jean, and a chunky Inca cardigan.  Key pieces for women include a lace-up khaki explorer shirtdress, a fleece sweatshirt wrap cardigan, a hooded mesh pullover shirt, a shawl collar basket weave blazer and a leaf print jean.

“I love the look of backpackers who have traveled all over the world and wear the eclectic things they pick up along the way,” said Bastian. “The collection has that outward bound feel, but there’s a strong sense of South America too.”

– Christine Shepherd

Photos by Alex Geana/GANT

[portfolio_slideshow]