The Talented Mr. M

MANILA, Philippines - Imagine scoring designer pieces at ready-to-wear prices. Once again bringing good design to the masses, Bench’s latest outing is by talented menswear designer M Barretto. After seasons of collaborating with the country’s design visionaries — among them, Joey Samson for Human and Randy Ortiz for Kashieca — Bench calls upon M Barretto for his own spin on stylish casual wear.

In “Back to Basics,” his first collection for lifestyle brand Bench, Barretto riffs on the brand’s basic designs, adding design elements like patchwork and angular stitching, to bring the brusque boy’s wardrobe staples to more fashionable territory.

It’s another feather in Bench’s cap, sure to excite fashion followers eager to see the designer’s interpretation of retail basics at democratic price points, as well as male wearers looking for something new to spice up their wardrobes.

M took cues from photographs of Japanese fishermen, and the manner in which they layer basic items. The result is a nautical-tinged collection with sportif leanings and an edgier slant. Armadillo-like knee patches in tonal gray recall the same everyman aesthetic as striped pullovers, or contrast-cuffed pants. The latter reminds one of a fisherman’s rolled-up pants, actually, but reinterpreted for the city — a perfect mesh with one’s staple sneakers. On the more formal side, contrast piping and rectangular trim make blazers and button downs assertive and eye-catching. Track pants offer a cool counterpoint to tailored pieces, steering the look into youthful territory.

It’s this easy spirit that marks M Barretto’s designs, as well as this collection for Bench, modeled by young stars Rocco Nacino, Joseph Marco, Johan Santos, Paul Jake Castillo and Carl Guevarra, in an editorial styled by Noel Manapat and shot by Ronnie Salvacion at The Collective. It’s one thing to look stylish, and another to feel comfortable in what you’re wearing. With M Barretto’s Back to Basics collection, the balance is easily attained, with silhouettes that echo a boy’s wardrobe favorites, but taken a notch higher with cool details.

Nice and easy, and always going back to the basics. Check out the collection at the Bench store nearest you.