Liberal Youth Ministry Men’s Fall 2022 – WWD

Mexican designer Antonio Zaragoza has called his brand the Ministry of Liberal Youth as a nod to his interest in youth movements and cultures. True to a young man’s ability to change moods and tastes, he swapped the bright upbeat tones of his previous collection and positive outlook for a sadder proposition during his Paris debut. .

Cue “Liberal Youth Foundation,” an autumn collection that Zaragoza describes as dark. Not like in malice. “Like how comfortable being in the dark is mentally,” he added, explaining that he looks back at the brand’s roots and “his passion is in punk, not in culture. of the ’70s, but rather a philosophy” about rebelling against the system.

Who is he against? Systematic industrial mass production. Hence, a heavy focus on craft throughout a dull collection where most have a sad look, craft tools or add spikes – an indication of the “primitive way of thinking about time”. page”, aka destroy garments.

The outfit feels like a child’s clothing box, a pile of old clothes discarded by siblings, clown costumes, and random oddities like 3D printed crowns and armor cartoon. A closer inspection reveals that the leather jackets are amazing; Tailor-made Neoprene garments printed with “Black Swan” in Goosebumps-meet-indie-rock font; fake kicks in collaboration with fellow Dover Street Market Paris, guardian Phileo, and a procession of denim and sweatshirts, all cutting too large a shade, to convey the ideas of raving teenagers.

And if you think any of these can be achieved with vintage fins and elbow grease, it’s the ultimate punk gesture. Zaragoza will accept.