A Taste of Mensweek: My Experience at Nautica SS17

A scene from the "bocci lawn" platform of Nautica's presentation ft.the very handsome Torin Verdone.

The midst of men's fashion week cultivates the population of Soho to consist almost solely of the fashion elite, model types, and those trying to get a glimpse of the action. Paparazzi were poised with their cameras outside of Skylight Clarkson Square on July 13, 2016. I strolled up to the door in a vibrant, watermelon-toned neoprene dress and my favorite sunnies, but seeing as I wasn't an Anna Wintour look-alike, my appearance on the set didn't cause much buzz.

As I stepped inside the space, my vision was immediately hit by well-dressed figures rushing past the backdrops flaunting designer names, making final touches before the next show. I was led to check in for the Nautica SS17 Presentation, and then followed the crowd to the main corridor that framed all of the show platforms. Vendors selling luxury leather goods, a pop-up cafe, and some advertisement booths from sponsors crowded the space in an organized manner.

I thanked myself for lightly jogging to the event space to get an early spot after I looked behind me and saw the queue for Nautica snaking back quite a ways. Finally, the entryway to Platform 2 opened and a stream of bright light blinded me briefly before revealing a clean white space with two rectangular stages, and several handsome models. The only splashes of color were provided by the new collection and the props provided to create the “City meets Sea” aesthetic the preppy company was hoping to achieve. A skilled trumpeter was projecting long improvised riffs to the music a live DJ was spinning, adding a classy jazz element to the powerful bass. The frontmost area was a makeshift pool scene. I decided to view this in a counterclockwise route, first starting with four male models sporting three versions of Nautica’s new nylon spring jackets and a cotton crew shirt, all in their signature seafaring color scheme of white, navy, and red. At the rear of the swimming pool were five men in summer style jackets, shorts and pants. These outfits were in textiles exclusive to the new collection, but still held the same cool blue and white tones as the rest of the pieces.

Platform 1 of the Nautica SS17 presentation.

A side view of the "swimming pool" platform of the presentation.

The right side of the platform revealed a shallow swimming pool framed by lounge chairs and beach umbrellas where more models were flocking. The “loungers” Madeline Burns and Emma Ostilly were clad in the two women’s swimsuits in the show; a classic white one piece and a navy blue single shoulder one piece. These suits are timeless silhouettes that could be carried over with ease from season to season. Their lounge partners Adam Caldera and Chad White were also wearing outerwear pieces that are sure to be popular in the Spring. I was able to have a moment with Caldera to chat about his favorite pieces in the show, and although he was partial to the Jet Navy Twisted Merino Cardigan Sweater he was wearing, he also liked the Jet Navy Stretch Nylon Pop Over Jacket his friend Jacob Burton at the front of the pool was wearing. This is Caldera’s third show with Nautica and he is a fan of the brand and all of the clothing he has modeled for them.

Chad White and Emily Ostilly.

Adam Caldera was kind enough to share his opinions on the collection with me.

The second platform was my personal favorite of the presentation. Nick Truelove, Phillip Schmidt, David Agbodji, Torin Verdone, and Jae Yoo took to the turf grass for a pretty-boy game of bocci. The Jet Navy Rayon Sweater with a color pop red collar that Truelove was displaying had just as much eye-candy appeal as he did (i.e. a whole lot). I felt that the pieces shown on this platform were the most versatile and wearable of the entire collection.

Nick Truelove (middle), Jae Yoo (back), and Torin Verdone (front).

It was clear these models weren’t just working for the sake of having a Nautica show under their belt. They spent their time between posing for photographs and chatting up guests dancing to the music and trading jokes amongst themselves. Their dazzling smiles weren’t fake in the slightest and added to the carefree attitude that was supposed to be represented in the company’s French Riviera inspired setup. It looked like they were as excited to be wearing the new line as we were to see it, and that made the whole experience more enjoyable - even to the beginner NYMFW attendee.

Some of the models in the rear platform of the swimming pool enjoying refreshments during the presentation.

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