Manu Rios and Marc Forne Unveil Their First Collection: A Closer Look at Carrer
A Closer Look at Carrer by Manu Rios and Marc Forne
Actor Manu Rios and stylist Marc Forne are making waves in the fashion industry with their new venture, Carrer. Stepping into the role of co-creative directors of the label, Carrer promised to marry vintage aesthetics with streetwear influences and with the release of their Fall/Winter Capsule Collection, we take a deep dive into the brand to see if it has the potential to be FAULTless.
Despite marking this collections debut, Manu Rios and Marc Forne are absolutely no strangers to the world of fashion and entertainment. Marc Forne’s illustrious reputation as a stylist precedes him, currently holding the position of Menswear Editor for ODDA Magazine. His clientele boasts notable Gen Z darlings, such as Troye Sivan and his collaborative partner, Manu Rios. This audacious leap from stylist to co-creative director while a natural progression in his creative journey, is undoubtedly no less daunting.
While Manu Rios might once have been most recognised for his role in the popular Netflix series “Elite”, it’s fair to say his recognition within the fashion industry is equally as prominent. Seen front row at Paris Fashion Week attending Loewe, Ami and many other prominent presentation, we’re eager to see how his personal admiration of Maison Valentino, Karl Lagerfeld and Ann Demeulemeester comes through in his own Label’s work.
Titled “Carrer,” which translates to “street” in Catalan, the label’s latest offering showcases a selection of gender-neutral workwear pieces. The colour palette predominantly embraces earthy tones, bearing a distinct influence from the timeless vintage workwear that often graces the racks of Los Angeles’ numerous vintage boutiques. While it leans towards the realm of everyday wear rather than avant-garde, I was pleasantly surprised to observe the relative accessibility of this collection. The duo is not one to rely solely on their existing success and devoted following. The pricing and versatile wearability across various walks of life earn my admiration, underscoring the duo’s dedication to naturally ascending to fashion prominence as opposed to a quick cash grab.
While my assessment is constrained by the online gallery and not hands-on, a couple of standout pieces for me are the Dou Overshirt and the Colbolt Cargo, and they share similar reasons for catching my eye. As always, the beauty lies in the details. With the former, the drop-shoulder jacket proves itself a versatile standout, but it’s the addition of bell sleeves that bestows a touch of refinement upon the garment which is often missing from traditional workwear attire. The cargo trousers, too, emerge as a robust utility piece, yet it’s the supplementary intricacies – like the rope carabiner, adjustable waist belt, and the straps at the trouser hems – that inject a level of customisation and adaptability not frequently encountered but certainly needed for any collection be truly unisex.
While their inaugural collection showcases considerable promise,I am eager to see how the pair inject more of their personal stylistic flair into the proceeding ones. By no means is it obligatory for Carrer to serve as a reflection of the red carpet styles that most have grown accustomed to through social media; however, it becomes an intriguing case study to see the brands evolution as it deviates from their most common Instagram showcasings. In the realm of Instagram’s parasocial relationships, the transition from “come for the Jacquemus, stay for the Carhartt” may pose its challenges if Carrer is to stay close to it’s streetwear/ workwear foundation. Yet, if they play their cards right and stay committed to their guns, the rewards of a newfound audience can be major – and I for one am excited to see how they get on.
Carrer’s debut serves as a compelling testament to the artistic prowess of Manu Rios and Marc Forne as they transcend the confines of their cultural prominence. In doing so, they have displayed an unwavering dedication to the world of fashion, a commitment not always seen by these ventures. With a formidable first collection firmly established, and their capacity to deliver an accessible, fashion-forward product, this captivating collaboration is certainly one to watch. As they persistently push the boundaries and journey deeper along this creative trajectory, Carrer certainly shows potential to be one day be FAULTless.