The Italian designer explains the dark colour palette of his The Right Side Of The Moon collection
Why do I like black? It’s the spectrum of chromatic and vestiary possibilities, sum of all colours, an intelligent subtraction which lays bare variations in density and surface quality. I like the way in which a black garment reflects or absorbs light. It doesn’t look new, as though it’s already been worn.
The collection is all about sartorial culture meets workwear; lined jackets with raglan sleeves, high armholes and shoulders with reversed sleeves; laser button holes, corozo buttons; trousers with with elastic waists. Big and small patch pockets, pads in raw cut leather are applied as functional signs. I was inspired by the man in black himself – I’ll let him explain why he likes the colour…
‘Well, you wonder why I always dress in black, Why you never see bright colors on my back, And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone. Well, there’s a reason for the things that I have on. I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down, Livin’ in the hopeless, hungry side of town, I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime, But is there because he’s a victim of the times.
I wear the black for those who never read, Or listened to the words that Jesus said, About the road to happiness through love and charity, Why, you’d think He’stalking straight to you and me. Well, we’re doin’ mighty fine, I do suppose, In our streak of lightnin’ cars and fancy clothes, But just so we’re reminded of the ones who are held back, Up front there ought ‘a be a Man In Black.
I wear it for the sick and lonely old, For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold, I wear the black in mournin’ for the lives that could have been, Each week we lose a hundred fine young men.
And, I wear it for the thousands who have died, Believin’ that the Lord was on their side, I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died, Believn’ that we all were on their side.
Well, there’s things that never will be right I know, And things need changin’ everywhere you go, But ’til we start to make a move to make a few things right, You’ll never see me wear a suit of white.
Ah, I’d love to wear a rainbow every day, And tell the world that everything’s OK, But I’ll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,’Till things are brighter, I’m the Man In Black.’
John R. Cash
