As I scrolled through all of the recent menswear collections from London, Milan and Paris, I wondered why so many designers dropped women into their runway shows that were obviously showcasing menswear collections. Not like anyone is necessarily complaining about the fairer sex showing up in the middle of what one might call an absolute sausage fest, but I was at least a bit curious. The Business of Fashion must have felt the same way as they talked to a few menswear experts about why it's been happening recently.
There are a couple reasons: It brings in more female editors to the menswear-heavy shows, which produces additional press (always a good thing) and it offers a chance for brands to show off their Resort collections, which coincide with the menswear calendar. If you're willing to lean into the #branding aspect of things, showing off both sexes points to a more cohesive company. Justin O'Shea brings up possibly the most salient point that doesn't have anything to do with logistics and more so with the overarching fashion philosophy: "With men becoming more feminine and women becoming more masculine, this androgynous development is allowing for one concise, powerful message from the designers. Having both sexes come down the catwalk looking like they both stepped out of the same time warp enhances this message."
Androgyny is quite literally the future, people. Get on board.
