Loewe S/S '13 Lookbook

Loewe‘s Spring/Summer 2013 lookbook balances modernity with tradition, offering unique pieces that have been crafted for the the contemporary male.

Loewe’s creative director Stuart Vevers was inspired by 1940s images of Gary Cooper visiting Madrid and Picasso working in his studio, embodying the nonchalant ease and pared-down confidence that an artist who spends his life steeped in the subject of aesthetics can afford to have in his own style. 'The collection is very much inspired by Loewe’s Spanish roots,’ explains Vevers.

The collection is dominated by leather, underlining the brand’s reputation for creating the softest napa pieces, but also showcasing Loewe’s expertise across a wide range of skins. The collection features a lightweight parka in suede; a raglan sleeved varsity jacket with the body in crocodile; a blazer in Loewe’s lightest napa, specifically cut to keep the weight as low as possible; an artist’s jacket in bonded suede and napa, which fastens with large metal hooks; and a biker jacket in a goatskin that’s soft to the touch while being tough and protective.

Elsewhere there’s a peacoat in cotton with goatskin details; a merino knit cardigan combined with perforated suede; tailoring in exclusive wool/silk mixtures; knitwear in the finest cashmere and merino wool; and blazers in a double-faced unlined cashmere also trimmed with leather specially developed to be light enough to wear in summertime.

Colourways in the collection features neutrals and browns, from mahogany to off-white via tan, stone and ‘Oro’, Loewe’s signature sandy golden colour. Contrasted highlights come in orange, yellow and blue.

Prints, which feature on shirts, pyjama pants, ties and scarves, reflect the painterly references that inspired the collection, and include brushstrokes, baroque Spanish paisleys and handpainted dots, a subtle nod to the aesthetic tradition in 20th century Spanish painting exemplified by artists such as Joan Miró and Picasso himself during his cubist period.

Accessories for the season include a range of luxurious black leather biker bags; full-grain leather soft briefcases in a range of dusty greys, blues and lavenders; suede Weekender bags with crocodile trim; and the men’s Amazona bag in ‘Oro’suede and black calf. Finally, there is a simple, unlined suede tote with a printed interior that most explicitly embodies the informal mood of the season.

A collection of relaxed elegance representing the Spanish masculinity of the Loewe man, masculine but sensual, proud, with a boldness of character and individualism.