And the Next Decade...

The John Varvatos story is one of gradual refinement—for him, men’s fashion is all about “evolution, not revolution.” It’s an approach that’s brought him a host of satisfied customers and countless pages of editorial space, as well as somewhat unusual props from German magazine Focus, which dubbed him “Tom Ford für Heteros” (he’s not sure about that one, but appreciative of the gesture). This year his brand celebrates its 10th anniversary, and his triumphant spring 2011 collection—which he describes as an essay in “perfect imperfection”––is a testament to his enduring sensibilities, full of soft tailored silhouettes in a subtle palette of grey, chocolate, black and dusty blue, with flashes of rich purples. At the show, cuffs were rolled up to the elbow, knits hung loose, and each ensemble was given a rakish twist with the addition of one of Varvatos’s signature over-dyed scarves. Textiles and leathers were washed and worn in, giving a soft, comfortable vibe to even the most dressed-up looks. Conversely, the cotton-linen tuxedo jackets and slim wool trousers offsetting all the layering and scrunching appeared more than fit for the evening, though Varvatos maintains they work great as summer daywear.