It’s tough being a fashion guy. All the cool kids in your class are playing with textiles and you’re stuck with your hands in the air, pinned to a whiteboard, trying to catch some light in the breeze coming through the window. The pressure is always there: will you look like a fashion guy or a geek? Will your parents prefer one child over the other? As it turns out, there’s a way to marry fashion and technology, and that’s what made Mark Martin’s design brief so interesting to work on: the challenge to mash up the best of both worlds in a way that still feels relevant and innovative.
The Brief
Mark Martin is an iconic Australian fashion label synonymous with tough yet classy. For over 70 years, the company has been designing and manufacturing shirts, dresses, and coats for the country’s iconic denim brand, Jeans Australia. Now it’s time for the company to step into the future and reinterpret a piece of their history. Specifically, the theme is from the pre-war ‘40s with a twist of modernity and urban renewal. So let’s get to the details.
The Look
We start off classic, as always, with a black shirt and white collar. For the finishing touch, we add a pop of color by pairing a mustard yellow shirt with caramel brown trousers. We keep the minimalist look with only the essentials: a white pocket square and a watch for the jacket. For the tie, we go for an orange one dotted with black for a pop of autumnal spice.
The result is an elegant and a charmingly casual look. It’s sophisticated without being pretentious, urban without being overbearing or geeky. You can pull off this look with utmost ease, and that’s what makes it so versatile. You’ll feel confident and stylish, yet still comfortable enough in your everyday environment.
The Style
Classic black and white is always a safe bet, but it turns out that fashion and technology can be quite the pairing. While black is a constant companion for many a designer, it’s a bit of a risky move to go for such an elegant color in a smart casual sense. Technology, on the other hand, works great with white and smart fashion choices. It’s time to shine a light on your good taste and good style with an iconic Australian fashion label. It’s time to pull off a Mark Martin Shirt.