Designers Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos started their new season with the question, “If the S&H guy spent a winter day at home alone, what would he do with his time?” The designers envision this day as comfortable, creative, productive, unguarded, and quirky. As a result, these feelings of freedom, individuality, and protection from the cold are the major themes explored in their fall 2016 ready-to-wear menswear collection.
For the brand’s seasonal look book, a male subject is seen at home trying to keep himself occupied in a slightly surreal state. He spends time picking out outfits, daydreaming while reading a book, and playing a game of chess against himself. Photographed, styled, and art directed by Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos, the concept is meant to reinforce the brand’s constant focus on the crossroads of where fashion meets reality portrayed through updated American classics.
Honing in on core pieces for the brand, Shipley & Halmos placed an emphasis on timeless outerwear as a starting point for which a wardrobe for the season can be built around. The pieces in this category range from a fully reversible varsity jacket in corduroy and wool, lightweight leather jackets, to a transitional oil-finished hunting coat with lobster claw clasps and magnetic pocket closures. A navy wool peacoat balances a classic design with modern touches that include custom metal anchor buttons with the ampersand logo, leather trim, corduroy pocket bags, and a navy and white striped flannel liner, while the cashmere/wool camel duffle with real wood toggles and rope closures is lined in a hand-drawn printed silk charmeuse to emphasize the tailoring element of the Shipley & Halmos collection.
Building from the outerwear, the collection also boasts new subtle plaid wool/cashmere suits, wide whale corduroy blazers with leather elbow patches, athletic-influenced rugby polos, denim in surprising pops of rich color, Shipley & Halmos engineered fair isle knits, and a mix of shirting fabrications that include printed poplin, striped oxfords, flannel, corduroy, and chambray. The color story that ties the collection together comes in autumnal shades of deep plum, hunter green, midnight navy, chocolate brown, and various shades of heather grey to compliment black.
In an effort to infuse a bit of the designer’s sense of humor into the collection while also engaging the wearer and thinking about his life in each garment, certain styles include custom labels. The oil-cloth coat should be worn while fishing but never in the desert, the jeans advocate channeling your inner David Bowie, and the lamb’s wool sweaters honor the lamb named Matisse who graciously donated their wool.
As always, Shipley & Halmos strives to offer a modern take on classic and essential items within a man’s wardrobe. By expanding the brand’s offerings to include ready-to-wear clothing, shoes, accessories, books, and art materials, Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos continue to invite fans to take part in their inspired and creative world.
See the collection.
Photos & text Copyright Shipley & Halmos, Courtesy Maguire Steele.