Romain Brau: a young and upcoming designer to keep an eye on

[samurman]

I was browsing the Saga magazine's Fall/Winter 2008-2009 issue, available online at http://e-magazineen.sagafurs.com. On page 59, I came across a stunning picture of a man in fur, by a designer named Romain Brau and I immediately began searching for him. I have uploaded a number of his fur designs to the gallery.

 

It turns out that Brau is a 2008 graduate of Antwerp Fashion School. He prepared a collection for the school's 2008 show as a graduating student. He also presented some designs with fur while progressing through his classes from 2006 onwards. His CV shows that he was sponsored by Saga Furs, so this explains the Saga magazine connection.

 

He has his own website now: http://www.romainbrau.com/

 

Larger size images of his graduation collection can be found here: http://www.superfuture.com/supertalk/showthread.php?t=55508 (One of the comments in this thread is just lovely: "I want to be emperor of a small country and wear nothing but this."

[Worker 11811]

Obviously high fashion. I'm not a big fan of high fashion but these are STILL nice coats!

 

First of all it is rare for a designer to make furs for men. I appreciate that.

Second, Brau is not repeating the stodgy, old designs that most men's furs seem to be pigeon holed into. He's done some very nice work and I am refreshed to see it.

 

Just for reference, my taste in men's fur tends to be a more "outdoors" look.

I prefer something that looks like it could be worn in the arctic or out in the forest.

 

Of course, I could get used to more stylish things like we see in Brau's collection. They are very nice. But, I'm a big, 6-foot tall guy. Sometimes I just want to wear a fur that looks like I went out in the woods, killed an elk with my bare hands, skinned it and made a fur coat out of it.

[alphonso]

Oh those furs are just fantastic. He's got to be one of us. Those designs are so luxuriant and sensual. If money was no object I'd snap one up right now - no actually I'd kidnap him and have him produce greater and greater furs in order to win his freedom. Although I'm into women in fur you can't deny the sexual power of those images.

 

Brandy a question for you if you're reading this. You are hot in furs - of course - but do you find those images of men in furs exciting? Would you say they are woossy or macho? How do you see it?

[samurman]

Just for reference, my taste in men's fur tends to be a more "outdoors" look.

I prefer something that looks like it could be worn in the arctic or out in the forest.

 

I agree, to some extent. There is certainly that strand of thought in men's furs and I can feel it, too. Sometimes, I find my red fox coat to be just too soft, and then, I switch to my f/l tanuki or coyote parka to feel the rough and wild side in me.

 

Of course, I could get used to more stylish things like we see in Brau's collection. They are very nice. But, I'm a big, 6-foot tall guy. Sometimes I just want to wear a fur that looks like I went out in the woods, killed an elk with my bare hands, skinned it and made a fur coat out of it.

 

 

Wow, powerful words... In many traditional societies, a rite of passage for a young boy to manhood was to go hunt an animal all by himself. That proved that he was no longer a boy.

[Worker 11811]

Isn't it also true that, when you take an animal then wear its fur (or claws, teeth, etc.) that you spiritually gain the qualities that the animal had? If you take a lion, you gain courage and strength, for instance.

 

Yes, I guess that part of it is gaining strength from the animal one takes. It also has to do with rite of passage. I never really thought about it in those terms but I think you're right. There's something to that.

 

I grew up in a Pennsylvania suburb that leans more to the side of "country" than "city." Semi-suburban, I guess you could call it.

It was only 10-15 minutes drive to a supermarket or any place like that. But, in just a few minutes walk you could be in the middle of the woods or standing in a creek. Consequently, Levi's jeans, a flannel shirt and a Carhartt jacket were common things to wear.

 

I do like stylish things, some times. Brau's collection certainly is stylish. If I was going some place where I had to dress up, I might be tempted to wear something from his salon.

 

But take today as an example. I worked in the theater all day. I'm wearing stagehand's "blacks" at this moment. (Black Dickie's pants, black shirt with black shoes and socks.) When you work on stage, that's the uniform that's expected. Many other days I wear flannels and jeans. One of Brau's furs would be awesome to wear but I wouldn't have many occasions to wear it out. If I was going to buy a fur... or should that be WHEN I buy a fur... I don't want something that's going to stay in the closet most of the time. I want something I'm going to wear.

 

Now, I live closer to town. I only live a 5 minute drive from the city limits. I don't get to go out to the woods nearly as often unless I go visit my parent's. Maybe that idea of wearing a fur that looks like I just took off the back of an animal is because of a subconscious drive to get back to a place more like where I grew up? Do you think?

[samurman]

Isn't it also true that, when you take an animal then wear its fur (or claws, teeth, etc.) that you spiritually gain the qualities that the animal had? If you take a lion, you gain courage and strength, for instance.

 

Absolutely. Even if you are a positivist person and only believe in science and rationality, there is still the association argument, I mean, if you wear fur, it is a constant reminder to you. You remember and think about the animal whose fur is now adorning you. Respect comes from remembrance.

 

I grew up in a Pennsylvania suburb that leans more to the side of "country" than "city." Semi-suburban, I guess you could call it.

It was only 10-15 minutes drive to a supermarket or any place like that. But, in just a few minutes walk you could be in the middle of the woods or standing in a creek. Consequently, Levi's jeans, a flannel shirt and a Carhartt jacket were common things to wear.

 

I do like stylish things, some times. Brau's collection certainly is stylish. If I was going some place where I had to dress up, I might be tempted to wear something from his salon.

 

Casual, sports, or rough clothing is one thing, dirty, shabby, or careless clothing is an entirely different thing. Remember the "Little House on the Prairie"? People worked all week in the fields, but on Sundays, they put on their best and cleanest clothes for church.

 

What I'm saying is that a proper gentleman needs both the coyote parka and the full length mink coat:) They both have their uses. (Of course, fiscal considerations are politely sidestepped in this advice of "Manners"...)

[Worker 11811]

My flannel shirts are from Land's End. My Jeans are genuine Levi's. My boots are Wolverine. The jacket is either Carhartt or Barbour.

 

My boss once questioned my why I was wearing flannels and jeans until I pointed out that the clothes I was wearing were more expensive than the ones he was wearing. A good pair of Wolverine boots can cost $200.

 

But, point taken, I often do need to be reminded that there are some days when we need to dress up.

 

If I had the money I'd buy a dress fur and a daily fur.

[JGalanos]

Nice find. Several interesting designs.

[FurLoverinFL]

Agreed, JG - I never knew that Saga published an e-magazine. Hopefully, we'll add that link to our collection.

 

FLinFL

[samurman]

Nice find. Several interesting designs.

 

Well JG, you were the very first person whom I thought about after seeing Romain Brau's creations, how 'bout that?

 

I guess the great old photos of fur-clad gentlemen from the bygone era that you use as avatars must have conditioned me for that!