Camperlab's experimental design and Ouest Paris's Texan sixties universe

Fashion Network

01-07-2025

This season, a number of labels have opted for the presentation format. Let's take a look at the Paris premiere of Spain's Camperlab, while France's Ouest Paris establishes a long-term presence in the capital.
Ouest Paris and the space cowboys
A dull, powerful roar invades the cobbled courtyard of the quadrilatère des Archives in the heart of Paris's Marais district. For its presentation, part of the official Paris Fashion Week calendar, Ouest Paris opted for an outdoor installation. The models pose in front of a large canvas of a rocket in full lift-off, as tourists crowd the entrance to the huge porch provided by the French Ministry of Culture.
For spring-summer 2026, Ouest Paris, which has blended the codes of Americana and the French Basque coast since its inception, took its man on a journey through space and time. Arthur Robert, who has been working with his label for over three years now, was inspired by the world of NASA, the American space agency, in the 1960s.
"I delved into the archives of that era, drawing inspiration from old photos of office life at NASA. I was interested in the specific patterns and colors of that era, as well as the texture of the fabric. I wanted to bring in this almost rough aspect. And play on this encounter with small checks, houndstooth, tennis stripes, "said the designer, just after taking a break in front of an imposing grey Ford F-150 pick-up truck.
Here, the very formal wardrobe of NASA employees was hijacked. Oversized tailoring pieces were paired here with very wide Bermuda-style shorts that fell below the knee. A pair of high-waisted, light cotton shorts with a large check pattern was combined in a stylistic tension with patent black leather worn very close to the body over a white shirt.
"We have several leather pieces. It interests me because we work a lot with regenerated leathers. It's an Italian supplier who takes production offcuts and reassembles them to make a material. This is true for our black leathers, but also for suede, which is regenerated and laminated onto jeans. The combination of the two spoke to me completely in this Texan project," said the designer.
The nod to the space agency was not confined to the engineers, of course, and the outfits worn by teams on the launch pad or even cosmonauts are also reinterpreted. A camel jumpsuit plays on the codes of retro workwear, notably with visible zips, while providing a slim fit. The collaboration with Dr. Martens reinforced the utilitarian approach.
But the American Texan universe allowed Ouest Paris to play once again with the world of cowboys, with silhouettes that become a signature for the brand and enable it to develop direct sales via seasonal pop-ups, as well as to enter new international retailers. With his Stetson screwed on his head, an elegant cowboy wore a white shirt with a striped tie, and a deep black denim jeans jacket with embroidered silver seams. The slightly oversized blue denim ensembles played with yokes and rivets in a controlled, efficient development.
Camperlab: Style laboratory, unveils new identity in Paris
On Thursday, June 26, CamperLab, the experimental project of Majorcan footwear brand Camper, took to the catwalk for the first time in the official calendar of men's fashion week in Paris.
See catwalk
For the occasion, the label presented its Spring-Summer 2026 collection at 62 Avenue de la République, in the former Citroën dealership, a venue undergoing major transformation.
Under the creative direction of Achilles Ion Gabriel, this first official presentation embodied Camperlab's evolution from shoemaker to genuine ready-to-wear player. The s how featured an immersive mise-en-scène, blending brutal ambience with contrasting lighting.
See catwalk
The unisex collection combined streetwear pieces - loose denim, geometric patterns, trompe-l'oeil silhouettes - with redesigned iconic models such as the Tornado sneaker, Tormenta eyewear, printed denim coats and leather accessories.
The presentation also marked the adoption of a new logo and monogram, designed in collaboration with Milan-based studio Giga Design, symbolizing Camperlab's transformation.