NY Fashion Week: Martin Keehn's Eye for Form, Function & Fashion

Ian Michael Crumm READ TIME: 3 MIN.

Martin Keehn's spring/summer 2015 collection is a deliberate nod to the "fashion meets function" menswear craze. Earlier in the week we saw Grungy Gentleman intersect traditional menswear and luxe athleticwear for Jace Lipstein's first presentation. ISAORA just launched the Movebetter collection centered around technical performance T-shirts, sweatshirts and pants. It's no secret that menswear is bursting with functional designs that go from day to night to nightclub. Keehn took a nod to the functional fashion trend but revamped archetypal pieces with his own avant-garde twist.

The spring/summer 2015 collection was relaxed and functional. One look that really stood out was a pair of extra wide midnight purple pants with a black drawstring waist. The model walked sans shirt, which was an excellent styling choice especially considering he was tall, dark and handsome. The oversized silhouette creates drama as the fabric swings off the body. Wear these pants with a fitted top (or go shirtless if you think you, too, can pull it off.) A pink print-on-print shirt and short outfit was styled effortlessly cool with a pair of black converse, which was the footwear of choice for the entire show.

The collection showcased athletic wear-inspired pieces vamped up with prints and leathers. Pops of green opened the show with a short sleeve jacket accented with gold metal buckles and epaulets. There were mesh-swimming briefs in green, light blue and black. Extreme lighting that cast model shadows on the studio walls created an intense backdrop that further strengthened the collection's impact.

Keehn is a connoisseur in the realm of thrifting and these designs were inspired from a trip to a Seattle thrift store. While sifting through racks of clothes, Keehn discovered a section and isolated the garments that came from one man. Leather features are commonplace throughout the collection. Keehn often utilizes leather in his collections, saying, "I feel strongly about leather in all seasons." With a variety of pieces like the pinhole jersey shirts, heavy use of linen, the '70s-style slightly flared pant legs, pastel colors and bold reds, greens and blacks, the collection may seem chaotic at first, yet it works.

Keehn's spring/summer looks are reminiscent of his current fall/winter 2014 collection, which features luxe sweatpants, drawstrings, hooded cotton capes and mesh-on-mesh details. As men continue to seek form, function and fashion, designers like Keehn will continue to include details that set collections apart from an average joe.

Martin Keehn's pieces are available online at shop.MartinKeehn.com .

For more updates from the designer, follow him on Instagram and Twitter @27andahalfessex.


by Ian Michael Crumm

Ian Michael Crumm is an EDGE contributor. He likes trying new foods, shopping for eccentric accessories and laughing with friends. Follow his travels via Twitter and Instagram @IanMCrumm.

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