With the shows during New York Fashion Week Men’s dwindling at an alarming pace, one show that has stayed consistent during the week has been Grungy Gentleman. The Fall/Winter 2020 marked the 12th runway show for designer Jace Lipstein. And from the looks of the evening you’d think, Lipstein was one of the hardest working men in the industry. Prior to the show you could see him giving directions to the deejay as well as making sure the house was filled. As the show started, he was spotted giving the models their cues and I wouldn’t put it past him if prior to the show he was backstage doing hair and makeup while adjusting final looks.
But that’s not necessary a bad thing. Especially since attending a Grungy Gentleman show has always been a spectacle. Part runway show, part celebrity sightings and part afterparty, it’s one of those shows that doesn’t take itself too seriously. However, it’s the place to be as one of the mainstays of Fashion Week. This season’s show was set in the party atmosphere of Tribeca’s M1-5 lounge. It was an ideal place to show off the 28 looks that made their way down the runway. The designer wants to take the stress out of dressing noting, “My main goal is to instill confidence and simplify the getting dressed process.”
The looks stay true to the Grungy Gentleman spirit that has been infused over the past 12 seasons. Grungy Gentleman FW20 defines athletic tailoring by combining luxury fabrications with sportswear silhouettes. This year’s collection featured leopard, southwest inspired wool and a custom created static fabric along with his signature 6 striped detailing that was interwoven throughout the entire collection.
Grungy Gentleman’s customer base includes a wide variety of professional athletes, tv personalities as well as artists and musicians. It’s not uncommon to see these celebrities in the audience or actually walking down the runway. In fact, New Orleans Saints star Marcus Williams actually opened the show. The show also highlighted four complete Pendleton collaborative looks. The classic geometric patterns used were created with Pendleton fabric crafted on the jacquard looms in a 107-year-old mill. Grungy also partnered with BTC Fight Promotions and two of the MMA fighters for a 6 piece capsule callaboration for the GGX line.
According to Jace, ““Our customers have busy lives. Their personal and business life are active, and they consume media quickly. That is why I design in sets with matching tops + bottoms. It is purposely done so men can easily throw on an outfit with no thought process, yet they are certain they will look fresh.” As a result, popular in the collection are Grungy Gentleman track suits. Several of which are already available online. Also stand outs are the tailored looks which are designed to be worn more casually and come complete with the signature Grungy Gentleman stripe. Think Thom Browne but a looser and more comfortable fit. The peacoat is a must have.
