To be, or not to be? – a British lad once wondered. Solid Homme creative director Woo Young Mi appeared to redefine the famed question in Dual Shift, her AW26 collection which wasn’t afraid to embrace contradictions – in life, as in looks.
The concept of the alter ego, of the contrasting multitudes we all contain, became not an obstacle here, but a gift. Solid Homme delivered a collection of looks that move effortlessly between worlds. As the show notes denoted, it was about “one wardrobe”, translated across “many lives”.
Classic menswear codes were interrupted by unexpected workwear elements, with chesterfield overcoats styled with wool and cotton jumpsuits, and sweatpants mixed with structured pinstriped shirts and leather loafers.
Throughout, office winter dressing met utilitarian workshop attire, as heavy hardware aprons and work gloves enriched elegantly tailored tweed suits. The colour palette similarly embraced this dance of restraint and release, with almond milk, dust grey and shadowed tones forming the base for vibrant pops of electric blue, ginkgo yellow and scarlet.
The final touch of contemporary contrast came via unconventional accessories that perfectly blended craft and wit, as shown by hand-braided leather cables that functioned as bag straps and eyewear cords.
From finance bros with a passion for carpentry to restaurant waiters with a dandy soul, Solid Homme presented an ode to duality grounded in the hectic reality of urban life.
Photography courtesy of Solid Homme.
