How to Take Black Tie Dressing Beyond the Tuxedo
Torraine Futurum and Parker Kit Hill demonstrate how to transcend eveningwear.
UnTux-ed
Subvert the traditional tuxedo by deconstructing its classic elements. Parker, at right, rocks a corset en lieu of a cummerbund, a patent leather boot with a glitter heel replaces the rented Oxford shoe, and a long evening coat revamps the traditional blazer. Top it all off with a cleverly-placed bloom, and you're sure to win Best Dressed.
On Torraine: Dress, Simone Rocha. Tights, Wolford. Heels, Jimmy Choo.
On Parker: Pants and coat, JW Anderson. Shirt, Sies Marjan. Corset, Vera Wang. Earrings, Bvlgari. Shoes, Christian Louboutin.
Strength in Numbers
Bending the rules is all about addition. A traditional dress or skirt can feel frilly on its own--but popping a boxy blazer on top gives it an unexpected silhouette. Or, add some edge to a traditional suit by losing the button-down entirely, and replacing it with an element of surprise, like a t-shirt (or, in Parker's case, a diamond necklace).
On Parker: Dress, Thom Browne. Earring, Bvlgari. Necklace, Tiffany & Co.
On Torraine: Dress, No. 21. Jacket, Versace. Earrings, Bvlgari. Rings and bangles, all: Tiffany & Co.
Arm Candy
Gendered dress codes often turn their noses up at bare shoulders--but runways from Calvin Klein to Alexander McQueen insist otherwise. Torraine shows here that a suit can look just as dashing without its sleeves (and it gives you an excuse to show off that new watch.)
On Torraine: Top, trousers, and cuffs by Alexander McQueen. All other jewelry, see previous page.
On Parker: Shirt, jacket, and pants by Alexander McQueen. Jewelry as before.
The Jacket
The dinner jacket is perhaps the wisest investment in Black Tie dressing. Invest in the right one, and all of a sudden your old trousers are given a new lease on life! This velvet, mint green number would look equally as dashing with black, grey, or navy pants--but makes a much more memorable statement.
Jacket, Kenneth Nicholson. Pants, Victoria Beckham. Necklace, Tiffany & Co.
Happy Hour
Love your suit, but feel like you wear it everywhere? Have an ensemble that feels more "work" than "werk?" Throwing a hat on top is sort of like a magic wand--it draws the eye right up to your beautiful face, and acts as perfect conversation during cocktail hour.
On Torraine: Hat, tie, blouse, jacket, and pants: Celine by Hedi Slimane. All jewelry as before.
Celine Topper
Celine's Bibi hat, shown here, was inspired by the famed '80s Parisian nightclub, Les Bains Douches.
Hedi Slimane's debut at Celine marks the first time the design house has ever created a hat collection.
Celine's evening hats -- a first for the house -- are inspired by the Parisian post-punk movement.
