Celebs Flock to NYC For John Varvatos’ Emotional Return
John Varvatos takes a bow with daughter, Getty Images
After eight years of showing his men’s collections in Milan, John Varvatos enjoyed quite the homecoming in New York City last night. After hearing that the CFDA would be hosting the first ever men’s fashion week in downtown Manhattan, Varvatos says he thought, “I’m an American designer, and I need to come out and support.”
The feeling was mutual, as mobs of fashion fans, friends, and long time buyers came out to support Varvatos, who’s been designing rockstars’ clothes since 1995. His various fans spiraled into multiple lines streaming out of multiple doors waiting to take their seats, or, more likely, stand just about anywhere they could possibly squeeze.
I was seated next to a couple that flew in from LA just to see the show: “When John’s showing, you come out,” they said collectively. “Though next time, we hope to sit there,” they said, pointing to the front row filled with rock photographer Mick Rock, and actors Rami Malek, Johnny Galecki, and Gina Gershon.
Mick Rock, John Varvatos, Chad Smith, and Andrew Watt backstage, Getty Images
“I really want to be true to these costumers,” the designer said nonchalantly, schmoozing backstage with Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith (whom some confused for an older, more bronzed Will Ferrell). And so the clothes this season were a reflection of Varvatos’ memories of the mid-1970s. “When the Brits came over to Southern California like The Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and Led Zeppelin,” he reminisced. “I was in high school at the time, and though I never dressed like them, I remember kids who dressed like Keith Richards in those striped suits.”
Models backstage, Getty Images
That silhouette evolved throughout the show, some pinstriped, others thick in black, white, or gray. Models sauntered down the runway with long locks and a carefree attitude to the music of Badflower, Tyler Bryant, and Andrew Watt (who also sat front row). It’s difficult not to equate these young, contemporary musicians with the clothes, too, but Varvatos insists that history informed this collection.
“With life in general, there’s a maturity—there’s an evolution to what you do,” Varvatos concluded of his work over the years. “You know, when I go back to eight years ago, or even 15 years ago when I first started, there’s a part of my DNA there, but things have evolved over time, and with this collection, there’s a little bit more playfulness.”
“I feel very welcome returning to NYC,” he exclaimed. Fingers crossed he’ll stick around for the next 15 years.
Getty Images
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