New York is often overlooked when the menswear season comes along, but I want to make a case for NYFW:M as a creative bubble of fashion talent and innovation. A series of presentations by up-and-coming fashion brands is kicking off New York Men's Day on Monday 9th July, hosted by CreativeDrive. Amongst these labels are some killer ones-to-watch; menswear designers that go beyond the tired streetwear and sportswear tropes, instead creating truly contemporary designs for a hungry audience. Here are some of our favourite picks, with brands inspired by everything from smoking to surfing.
AGENT
AGENT NYC is a modern menswear label by designers Terrence Williams and Joshua Fronda, whose signature export is playful yet practical footwear and quirky adaptations of traditional menswear silhouettes.
Sundae School
As marujuana becomes legalised in more and more states, Sundae School is jumping on the smokewear bandwagon while bringinging awareness to the stark invisibility of the Asian American culture.
Limitato
Limitato aims to create 'wearable art', inspired by art, collaborating with visual artists like photographer Camilo Rios White and printmaker Francisco Valles to produce simple, stylish printed t-shirts.
Read more: The Paris Fashion Week Menswear Roundup
David Hart
Award winning designer David Hart directs a luxury menswear label based in New York which creates bespoke, tailored looks with a nostalgic take on classic American sportswear.
Krammer & Stoudt
Designed by Michael Rubin, Krammer & Stoudt is a classic, contemporary East Coast menswear brand with West Coast cool, inspired by the designer's California roots but executed with Made-in-New York precision.
Taakk
Japanese brand Taakk by Issey Miyake alumni Takuya Morikawa produces experimental, augmented and off-beat menswear with subversive communication and styling.
Header photo: AGENT New York