Heavily influenced by European culture, Buenos Aires is often called the Paris of South America, partly due to a massive European migration. In fact, it estimated that 60% of all Argentines can claim an Italian forefather. "So how many of us are related to them?" you ask!As for me, I am the proud nephew of a man named Luigi, who, years ago, emigrated from Italy to Argentina in search of a better life. As a result, I am now the proud heir to a small clan of primos—cousins—living in and around Buenos Aires.
After phoning my primo, Luís, last week to wish him a happy Easter, I decided to contact BAFWEEK to get the scoop on the menswear lines that attended the recent Fashion Week in Buenos Aires.
So, first, let’s meet what some called "the new kid on the block": Grupo 134, which was formed last year by designers María Vázquez and Diana Muia who oversee a talented pool of multidisciplinary artists from the Netherlands, Germany, and France.Born in an age of consumerism, as well as in a context of social responsibility, the group’s heart at Grupo 134 throbs to bridge the gap between fashion and recycling with a “think before you consume” motto.
Inspired by contemporary music genres like hip hop and punk, Grupo 134 pulsates with timeless, minimalist European styles that target men of all ages, exemplified by the models, who span from very young to the elderly.
Photos 2009 a/w collection Copyright by Grupo 134.
