The 1980s surprise promised at the Sunflower show was a live performance by the Danish band Laid Back whose 1984 and 1981 hits, “White Horse” and “Sunshine Reggae” charted internationally. This was the second live music performance of the day (Silvana Imam appeared at Stamm) and the audience sang and danced along. Ulrik Pedersen’s collection consisted of remasters of classic menswear pieces and reprises of Sunflower favorites. Though a chore jacket and moto vest combo and a tuxedo jacket and floral boxers set seemed disparate, somehow they all came together in a cohesive tune.
“The element of classic menswear for Sunflower is still an important thing, and then to play around with how to style it to make it not too classic,” is how Pedersen summed things up. Straightforward is a useful adjective for his designs. It’s difficult to articulate just what it is that gives the brand its edge, but like a catchy tune, it hits the right notes for many people. Pedersen reports that the age-range of his customers is broad and that about half of those buying Sunflower are women, although menswear is the primary focus.
Dandies and rockers walked the runway today. Sunflower’s take on the popular pseudo jean (worn with a matching chore jacket) was made of a Japanese jacquard that was woven with denim. Seemingly straightforward was a similar set in unbleached denim, but the pants were cut with curved seams to create shape and comfort. Other styles with a ’70s vibe seemed born to rock, or perhaps to ride Laid Back’s mythic white horse.
