New York, Feb 1, 2008 /FR/ --- It’s a particularly difficult exercise for a brand which has based its very name on the joys of yachting to propose a collection for fall and winter. Now in her second season at the helm of Nautica, Mirian Lamberth has managed to do this in a very original way, finding her inspiration in water when it turns into ice and in the ice-sailing spirit of competition and its taste for fast action and aerodynamics.

The inspiration really showed through in the cut of some second skin pants of technical fabrics or even in some shapes of more traditional material for trousers worn inside low strong boots and colourful socks.

Omnipresent sneakers or low chunky boots (including with suits) did set the basis for a collection where sportswear and city pieces are mixing well, allowing themselves to display a touch of bright red, blue or yellow.

The man wearing Nautica this fall might want to assert that he is a sportsman even when dressed with a classic suit. His look might even include a tie; you still have to feel the muscle behind the fabric, especially when the wearer of double-breasted blazer for instance has a bright red high-collar sports jacket underneath.

The same spirit is seen in silhouettes of grey pinstripe pants of light wool with two layers of blouson jackets, one of bright fabric complete with a hood worn under another one of black leather on top; or on a look composed of side- pocketed pants mixed with a navy striped jumper and chocolate brown blouson, accessorized with a yellow belt and striped scarf of matching yellow and navy blue.

“This is the way a woman sees men”, confessed the designer after the show backstage. That’s where the easy dressiness seen in many looks probably comes from, that is from a woman who wishes for broad-shouldered men with a touch of delicacy.

This high-energy collection strikes a right balance between masculinity and refinement, testosterone and charm, casual and formal, for an allure that might be just what men would want after the summer Olympic Games.

Antonio Lavino