MEN

Tracy Aiguier

Despite its name, MEN is clothing designed by women, for women. Masha Davydova (from Russia), Emily Shaw (from New Jersey) and Natalia Burakowsa (from Poland) are apparel students at the Rhode Island School of Design, and are making their StyleWeek debut this January.

“Because MEN is the brain child of three different ladies, the work is definitely multi-faceted,” Natalia says. “We all appreciate the relationship between comfort and sensuality, and have a huge obsession with small details. Art history is also a big passion amongst the three of us, so historical references as inspirations are very evident.” In fact, MEN’s Fall/Winter 2013 collection is inspired by early Modern artists such as Picasso and Matisse. “We’ve taken aspects of their paintings,” Natalia explains, “but we also dug a little deeper and created a love story between a fictional woman in the present day falling in love with a young Picasso. Romance and a dark whimsy works their way into the clothes in details, silhouettes and fabrication. Our collection is going to be sophisticated and extremely wearable but with a huge dash of sex appeal snuck in.” MEN is available by custom order. Contact them at WomenByMen@gmail.com. MEN will be presented at 9pm on Thursday, January 31, at the Providence Biltmore.