Michael Cinco embraces wanderlust for his autumn/winter 2022-23 menswear show in Dubai

The 35-look collection unveiled at Arab Fashion Week was inspired by travel

Michael Cinco presented his new menswear collection at Menswear Arab Fashion Week. All photos: Michael Cinco

The Filipino designer showcased his menswear autumn/winter 2022-23 at the event held in Dubai Design District.

For his latest collection, Michael Cinco channelled the golden era of travel and adventure.

Called The Impalpable Dream of The Voyager, most of the collection was focused on jackets and suiting.

The menswear autumn/winter 2022-23 outfits offered a promise of wanderlust.

The show took guests on a journey of impeccable craftsmanship.

Since he launched his namesake label in the UAE in 2003, Michael Cinco has captured the industry's attention with his extravagant creations.

Michael Cinco matches the extravagance of his women's creations in his new menswear collection.

About the showcase on January 29, Michael Cinco said: "The past couple of years have been restricting and as borders open, we must breathe new life into travel."

With this new collection, the designer wants us to think more about the journey than the destination.

For the new era of post-pandemic travel, Michael Cinco wants travellers to don the very best of modern ensembles, instead of athleisure.

Three and four-piece suit sets were a highlight of the show.

Oversized multi-hued open coats.

Wide-leg harem trousers for a comfortable journey.

Oversized trenches.

A touch of the past with Victorian sleeves, beret and boots.

Channelling 1960s jet-set style in a colour-blocked zip-up cardigan.

Flowing robes and impeccably tailored suits blended to create a fashion statement for the new-age traveller.

As always, Michael Cinco brought a touch of the fantastical to the ramp, such as with this creation featuring a billowing cape.

A touch of whimsy with aviator-inspired goggles and a bright yellow confection.

The models played to the gallery by displaying the fluidity of the outfits they were wearing.

The outfits appeal to a new generation of travellers by mixing formal tailoring with casual style elements and blending colour palettes.

Brightly hued floor-sweeping coats offered an almost ethereal feel.

Embellished coats paired with wide-leg trousers featuring oversized turn-ups.

Old aviator inspired outfits brought a touch of nostalgia.

Patterned suits with caped coats.

The designer did not shy away from mixing different style elements, for the fashion-forward voyager.

The tailoring of the items was second to none.

Aviator overalls got a new and flamboyant makeover.

A glimpse of the theatrical runway at the Michael Cinco menswear autumn/winter 2022-23 show.

Layered outfits paired with travel staples such as trainers and crossbody bags.

Is the golden era of travel returning? After almost two years of lockdown, bans and interruptions, has that promise of wanderlust been revived? Filipino designer Michael Cinco seems to think so, as his latest collection showcased at Arab Fashion Week Menswear autumn/winter 2022-23 at Dubai Design District on Saturday night took guests on a journey of impeccable craftsmanship.

Since he launched his namesake label in the UAE in 2003, Cinco has captured the industry's attention with his extravagant creations. Known chiefly for his gowns, which often feature a dazzling array of crystals and handcrafted embellishments, they have graced red carpets across the globe, worn by the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga, not to mention famously Miss Universe finales.

Cinco offers as much extravagance in his menswear collections.

For Saturday's showcase, he was inspired by adventure. "The past couple of years have been restricting and as borders open, we must breathe new life into travel," he said, of his starting point.

Instead of thinking about the destination, he wants us to think more about the journey. This means packing away our athleisurewear and, much like aviation in the 1960s, donning our very best ensembles instead.

Called The Impalpable Dream of The Voyager, most of the collection was focused on jackets and suiting. Floor-sweeping coats made way for oversized trenches that offered up an almost ethereal feel. The tailoring of the items was second to none, with three and four-piece suit sets a highlight. Wide-leg trousers also made a statement, some featuring oversized turn-ups.

There were also parachute-style jackets and jumpsuits, with models styled to look like paratroopers with army boots and goggles. It was a fun addition to the show's theme that wouldn't be amiss on one of Cinco's many celebrity clients.

The ruffled trench also deserves a mention as it offered a feminine yet masculine vibe with its different coloured layers and oversized lapel.

The styling of the looks was not for a wallflower. The palette featured some pastel shades and vivid hues of cobalt and sky blues, cherry reds, a bright brown and an exuberant plum and purple. A 101 class in layering, these were paired with turtlenecks and shirts in teal, neon yellow and bubble-gum pink. It worked, showing men can covet colour, layer it up and look sophisticated as a result.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Michael Cinco collection without embellishment – and lots of it. Layered feathers and sequins adorned some of the looks, showcasing his team's talent, as each piece took between 50 to 80 hours to finish, the designer shared.