Muted Desires, helmed by the visionary New York-based menswear designer Nico Achee, consistently weaves compelling narratives into its made-to-order garments. The fifth installment, aptly titled “Shapes We Take,” continues this tradition by delving into the profound notion of personal agency and the quiet rebellion against societal impositions. This collection is conceived through the perspective of an individual navigating various professional roles – from a truck operator to a corporate executive or a sales associate. The clothing intentionally subverts these established types, highlighting the inherent conflict between outward appearances and inner reality.
The visual presentation for this collection is meticulously crafted as an audition, emphasizing the inherent performative nature of identity. Each garment acts as a visual cue, encouraging a fresh interpretation of well-known character types and fostering a sense of reclaiming one's personal story through sartorial choices. Achee masterfully reinterprets classic forms with a contemporary sensibility, infusing them with both subtle restraint and rich tactile qualities.
The tailoring evident throughout the collection embodies a principle of disciplined ease. Trousers are precisely cut yet possess an unconstrained fluidity. Shirts exhibit an intriguing interplay between their practical function and an unconventional sense of proportion. Suiting, deliberately divested of any ego or pretense, is reimagined as an everyday staple. A notable piece within the collection is the Cardigan Jacket, which ingeniously transforms the rustic practicality of the L.L. Bean hunting coat into a soft, structured layer, projecting a sense of understated strength and contemporary elegance.