1. Marlon Gobel SS15 – Carl Ayers
Transhumanism: a cultural and intellectual movement seeking to transform the human
condition by developing and making widely available technologies to greatly enhance
human intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities. Transhumanist thinkers
speculate that humans may eventually be able to transform themselves into beings with
such greatly expanded abilities as to merit the label “posthuman.”
This philosophy of “transhumanism” serves as the inspiration of the Marlon Gobel
spring/summer 2015 collection. The collection is based around three main points: (1)
human augmentation through technology resulting in us becoming stronger, faster, and
better; (2) technology is fashion from the fabrics to the electronics we use; and (3) a
“wearable device” can be anything from a water repellent fabric coat, to eyewear that
captures what your eyes may miss, to a handheld super computer you use to communicate
and share your life.

2. For spring 2015, designer Marlon Gobel has taken contemporary menswear and advanced
it with a futuristic feel. He has refrained from designing a “one size fits all uniform of the
future” and instead offers selections that vary upon lifestyle. For the more fit and athletic
male, there are form-fitting tees and polo shirts paired with 5-pocket shorts that fall
perfectly at the knee, seeming to give a nod to his tutelage under designer Thom Browne.
For the more universal casual wear customer, there are wonderful wardrobe staples
offered in cotton dress shirts and full-fit trousers that fall right at the ankle. Asserting that
you can be fashion-forward even in a post-modern world, Gobel provides a double-
breasted blazer and a formal jacket for those who want a classic look, no matter the
century.
However, what particularly stands out in this collection is his outerwear. His crocodile
motorcycle jackets in silver and gold give a Tron-like speed demon effect, while his navy
neoprene trench prepares you to battle the elements in any environment. One interesting
highlight is his nylon-stretch and cashmere-knit shoulder shrugs. Variably, they work well
with his athletic and casual wear while subtly flirting with modern-day androgyny.
Thankfully, Gobel did not over-design this collection. He stayed away from the idea of
unisex bodysuits or shapeless robes that are often depicted as futuristic clothes. Rather
than being costumy, Gobel kept some of the current trends in menswear and modernized
his garments with accessories by Knox Armor gloves, Dominic Elvin augmentation
headpieces, and shoes from the post-modern design company United Nude. Fortunately, for
the Marlon Gobel consumer, this collection is very customer-friendly and will fit into your
wardrobe for now and many seasons to come.
—Carl Ayers