Woolrich Woolen Mills F/W 2011

The most anticipated collection (at least for me) of F/W 2011 is officially in the books and we might as well put it out there - this is wholly Mark's collection.  The Daiki Suzuki era has come and gone.  While this may bum some people out, I couldn't be more excited for the second phase of WWM.  So, did McNairy deliver?  That's for you to decided for yourself, obviously, but for my money he most definitely did indeed.  After hearing Mark mention how his version of WWM would focus much more so on Woolrich's collegiate and military history those of us less enamored with the whole hunting vibe breathed a much needed sigh of relief.  Don't get me wrong, I think Daiki is one of the best designers working today.  In fact, I own quite a bit of his stuff.  Regardless, some aesthetics get tiresome and evolution is a natural part of the fashion industry - needless to say, I was more than ready for a new direction.  The end result is pretty much what I was expecting from Mark.  WWM F/W 2011 definitely comes from a collegiate and military place, but what clinches it for me is the collection's edge, for lack of a better word.  Mark has made a name for himself thanks to his ability to take the classic and put his own spin on things and he's done it yet again.  There's less quirk than what we've seen from his own line (which is to be expected from something of this scope), but there is still that rebel attitude.  That, "I wear what I want to wear when I want to wear it" feeling.  Honestly, it's kinda punk rock.  And I absolutely love that shit.  The endgame for this new partnership can't be determined after just one collection, but I've talked to a few European buyers already and they are psyched.  Where it will be stocked and what exactly will be stocked in The States is yet to be seen, but I hope lots, if not all, of this is readily available so I can go ahead and spend money I don't have.  Some parting thoughts:

-Those crepe sole double monks are a new style from Mark McNairy New Amsterdam.
-This collection is a little bit smaller than I imagined it would be.
-For a feel of the WWM 2011 presentation in Milan be sure to head over to Isaac's spot.

 -L.A.S