GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Shop
For the last 13 years, even mentioning Paris-based menswear atelier Husbands was a bit of a tacit handshake of good taste. But following their recent (and first) New York trunk show, founder Nicolas Gabard and his brand have been barnstorming the feed, being interviewed by James Harris on Throwing Fits and in GQ under the headline “When You Are in Husbands, You Are the Sexiest Guy in the Room.”
Disclaimer: I’m not someone who stays incredibly au currant when it comes to fashion, nor do I buy into its hyperbole. But this time, it might be merited: Gabard’s designs feel as new as they do distinctly French, and foundationally, effortlessly cool (with inspiration drawn from Bryan Ferry, the impeccable style of Godard films, et al). I picked up a pair of their horsebit loafers a few years back; they’ve since aged beautifully — the leather buttery soft, the shoes themselves still more than capable of hitting a wedding one night, a nightclub the next. Harris recently spoke on his podcast of getting one of their custom suits, a dream, but I’d settle for something off-the-rack, or even another pair of the loafers. The horsebits are sold out for now, but the buckle loafers are still available.
Go try them on in their small-but-mighty showroom at the original store around the corner from the Jardin du Palais Royal or at the newer boutique on the left bank, or just get them online — but do it now, before the market for Husbands gets even hotter. –Foster Kamer
→ Shop: Buckled Loafers (Husbands), $773.
→ Visit: Husbands • 57 rue de Richelieu • Mon-Sat, 11h-19hp
→ Visit: Husbands • 1 rue de l'Abbaye • Tues-Sat, 11h-19hp