Kanye West | Image via Aux.tv

I’m not quite sure if we can dub it a “trend” just yet, however two designers have decided to send their models down the Men’s Paris runways covering their faces for some of the looks. The first occurrence of this  that comes to mind was for the Maison Martin Margiela Fall 2012 Collection. Recently Kanye West shocked the crowds on his tour by sporting a mask from the Maison Martin Margiela collection. Perhaps this was the inspiration for the most recent incidents: Umit Benan showed his first collection at Paris Fashion Week this past week. The theme of the collection was Forties Americana and Benan drew inspiration from Jackie Robinson and sent looks down a baseball field runway. Comme des Garçons also showed in Paris for their Homme Plus Men’s RTW Fall 2014 collections.

Umit Benan Men’s RTW Fall 2014 | Image via: WWD

Comme des Garçons Homme Plus Men’s RTW Fall 2014 | Image via: WWD

The types of “masks” between the collections are extremely different so the connection between them seems highly unlikely. Benan’s collection had models covering their faces with baseball mitts which was extremely fitting for the ready-to-wear collection, while Comme des Garçons also showed models with their faces covered however, instead of a baseball mitt, the models walked the runway with thick, coarse, black hair sculpted around their faces. The reason for such a choice was meant to represent the trunk of  the Hindu elephant god Ganesh, the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune, the inspiration can been seen in the long coats and majestic prints some of the looks featured. Margiela’s show was referred to as the “Artisanal” collection and the masks, covered with hundreds of crystals, were avante-garde and perfect for a couture show. Margiela has since recycled the idea for the spring 2013 couture show.

Maison Martin Margiela Fall 2012 Couture | Image via: Style.com

What do you think of this concept? Does it draw more attention to the clothing themselves? Or are the designers and then those who choose to rock the masks making a statement themselves? If so, what statement are they making?

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