Jeramiah Irwin, @jerairwin
The Jersey City–based designer attended Afropunk for the first time last year, and the festival’s accepting ethos made him come back again this year. “I love festivals in general, but this one to me is so different. Everyone is so friendly. There’s no judgment,” he says. “It’s really true what they say—the no sexism, no homophobia here.” And given the opportunity to fully express himself, Jeremiah chose a denim corset and ripped jeans that were inspired by the pop-country music he’s been listening to. Says Irwin, “I was going to wear a cowboy hat, but I’m saving that for later.”
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all knitted-up
All Knitted Up embraces chaos and pushing boundaries in an effort to develop a unique personal identity that goes against the grain; this concept is characterized by mixing textures, colors, and styles, reconnecting with nature, and handmade details. Stylist Noah Zagor shares, “People often return to classic looks when times are difficult but instead people are rebelling — appreciating handmade detail, more from an emotional than craftsmanship way.” He further explains that the trend centers more around the consumer's ideology of pushing for a unique, individualistic look, rather than a specific product type or silhouette itself.
This journey in discovering individuality explains why the tote from Noma was such a great addition to the first look; Amon Ogyiri, Founder and Creative Director of Noma, describes, “The tote bag which is called the ‘Noma Traveler’ features our House Monogram pattern on a waxed and distressed brown twill along with Noma Motif Zipper pull closures. The intentional wax and distressing gives the bag the character that allows for it to be worn with any outfit. …We strive to create tangible items that transcend time and have an extended life span, not just a trend for the moment.”
Hat by mavrans; Sweater by kuwalla; Jacket by fleece factory; Scarf by lacoste; Pants by true.
Studio Production Credits: Producers: Gauge Theory CreativePhotographers: CLAIRE CALI; Lighting Tech: Keaton bayneDigitech: Mikey mcnulty; Hair & Make-Up: zee clemente;
Stylist: noah zagor; Assistant Stylist: enrique sahagunModel: aLAN SOULE, VISION
The Recap: PROJECT Las VegasStyle, sports, expert speakers, and more brought the menswear industry together at the February '25 edition of PROJECT Las Vegas.READ NOW
In an ever-evolving world, menswear is evolving too. Fashion can provide a mirror to consumer reactions, revealing how they are expressing their identities through apparel, accessories, and footwear. Inspired by the FW25/26 Mens Contemporary & Young Men's Buyer's Guide, three key concepts are brought to life in this editorial featuring PROJECT Las Vegas brands as styled by Noah Zagor.
From unapologetic maximalism to championing simplicity, this season’s fashion behaviors tell a rich story of how consumers are navigating tumultuous times. Read on to discover consumer drivers, styling and merchandising tips from stylist Noah Zagor, and insights direct from the brands themselves.
Hat, Belt, and Jeans by XLarge; Undershirt by fxn menswear; Sweater by kuwalla; Bag by noma; Jacket by mauritius
the new normal
Jeans and Shirt by mavi; Wool Jacket by fxn menswear; Gray overcoat by #whysocerealz!; Belt by billybelt; Bag by helmbrook
“In a chaotic, uncertain world, some go maximalist, others go simple,” shares Zagor –The essence of The New Normal. This concept centers around familiarity and safety, taking traditional looks and subverting them with a minimalistic modern twist. The Gray Overcoat by #whysocerealz! is the perfect example of that, transforming a classic piece with abstract black stitching.
The Roll Neck sweater by ppfff… styled in the second look for this concept is the perfect example of a staple item with added interest. The brand’s Founder, James Rogers, explains, “Styling...would be a classic approach, pair it with corduroys or a nice pair of houndstooth pants. The best thing about a roll neck is the versatility of it, it can be dressed up for smarter occasions and for casual events.”
Common People is inspired by ‘90s nostalgia; and by a statement-making song released in 1995 by UK band PULP and was chosen to express the idea of “youthful rebellion” and not dressing to impress, but rather to align with personal expression and community. This concept embraces baggy, laid-back silhouettes, from oversized parkas to loose-fitting jeans, with a strong nod to the UK “lads” through soccer jerseys. Iconic soccer brand Umbro, featured in the first look, is bringing back vintage football styles, seamlessly blending retro influences with contemporary design—creating pieces that are set to resonate with today’s consumers.
“The consumer driver is rooted in nostalgia, with Millennials reminiscing about their youth while Gen-Z is discovering these rebellious styles for the first time,” shares Zagor. According to Samuel Choi, Head of Marketing at FXN Menswear “[it] takes inspiration from Americana and Workwear.” The FXN Menswear pants in the first look are a classic baggy style with an added unique texture that would appeal to both Millennials and Gen-Z. Choi adds, “We are all so busy growing up that we forget to have fun. This open mindset is applied to all of our pieces, essential pieces that are modern and playful.”
common people
This season’s concepts reflect the ever-evolving ways consumers are responding to an unpredictable world. Whether through maximalism, refined minimalism, or nostalgic rebellion, one thing is certain – fashion will remain one of the key ways consumers can express their personal identity.
Pullover by umbro; Jacket by random golf club; Pants by lacoste; Hat by devereux golf
A New Take on Sport As consumers increasingly strive for the combination of versatility, comfort, and style, the “Sport Luxe” theme as highlighted in MMGNET's FW25/26 Men's Contemporary & Young Men's Buyer's Guide continues to dominate the market.READ NOW
FW25/26 Mens Buyer's GuideDiscover key contemporary mens and young mens concepts, trends, products, and brands to shop at PROJECT Las Vegas in our exclusive Buyer's Guide.READ NOW
T-Shirt by UMBRO; Sweater by kuwalla; Pants by fxn menswear; Sunglasses by SZADE Hat by True.
Published March 2025
Mark your calendar for the next edition of PROJECT Las Vegas August 18th-20th, 2025 to shop the latest SS26 trends across men's apparel, accessories, and footwear.
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maximalism, minimalism, and nostalgic rebellion
Discover three key menswear concepts from PROJECT Las Vegas.
Mavrans, a brand whose garments are made from recycled bottles and viscose, are designed to stand out. The brand’s founder, Michael Szklaver, shares, “We use our hometown Miami as our inspiration for our brand and apply it to our collections to allow people to stand out from the crowd.” When it comes to styling, he advises, “[The knit hat in the second look] can be worn in the summer as a fun bucket hat or in the winter instead of a beanie.” Whereas knits used to be a winter staple, look out for tropical knitwear which has skyrocketed in popularity – it’s the perfect way to add color, texture, and playfulness to collections year-round.
When merchandising your retail assortments, Zagor advises to look for statement pieces that draw the eye, “Don’t be afraid of color, pattern, and quirky prints– explore how unexpected colors can complement one another and think of ways to combine subcultures and archetypes.” Zagor cites celebrity examples like Gen-Z icons Timothée Chalamet who blends subcultures and Tyler, The Creator who adds a colorful and eccentric approach to prep. Ultimately, the key to this maximalist look is to “still make it all work together.”
Also featured in the first look, FXN Menswear’s wool work jacket taps into stylish versatility that appeals to all ages. FXN Menswear’s Head of Marketing, Samuel Choi shares, “A young person exploring styles may want to be perceived as a certain status of sophistication yet playful. Young people want to dress older. Older people are open to reliving heir youth. I can't speak for everyone but that also ties into high-low fashion.”
When it comes to merchandising, these consumers are looking for quality instead of bright colors and bold prints. “It’s an extension of quiet luxury, but not exclusive to luxury,” Zagor adds. That being said, merchandising tips center around an ultra-sensorial approach – showcasing quality through touch-and-feel as well as visuals that showcase how the piece lays on a model.
Trench by MauritIus; Turtleneck by ppfff...; Jacket by noma; Trousers by kuwalla; Bag by bedi Studios
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fw25/26:maximalism,minimalism +nostalgic rebellion
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Join the PROJECT Las Vegas communityat the SS26 edition August 18-20, 2025
Interested in learning more about our SS26 event? Learn more about PROJECT Las Vegas this August 18-20, 2025 here.
