This morning Viktor & Rolf hosted their menswear presentation for Spring Summer 2011 in the intimacy of their own headquarters in Paris. Forgoing the spectacle and theatrics of their womens runway, the pair opted to showcase menswear on a much smaller scale, in the Thursday morning slot that opens fashion week.

As guests filed into their seats, the alien presence of a keyboard and microphone in the small salon was sufficient warning that a performance was afoot, and without fanfare, British pop singer La Roux entered stage right to begin the show – neatly groomed into a Viktor & Rolf tuxedo and patent dress shoes.

Opening with her track “Colourless colour”, the show began in a restrained palette of beige sportswear – accented in pops of chocolate, aqua and cobalt on patent leather slip-on shoes. Short sleeve knits and tie-waist track pants were given the V&R treatment, emblazoned with their signature spectacles patch and layered with slim shirting and polos. The pair channeled the holiday wardrobes of post-WWII Hollywood stars, as the taupe and beige palette continued and evolved into a safari story, with checked parkas and blazers woven through with pale teals and navy blues, worn over shorts.

As La Roux changed pace and announced in her shrill, husky tones that she was in fact going “In for the Kill”, the mood changed and moved into a darker suiting story – following the concept of shadows that underlined the collection. Black, grey and navy blazers were cinched at the waist, wrapped and belted, double-breasted with a strong peak lapel or given a shadow detail along suit lapel and pockets. Trousers were either cropped and slim or worn with a full pleat at the waist, tapering slightly to the ankle.

The closing look proved perfectly suitable as La Roux launched into her finale of “Bulletproof”, with a belted tuxedo suit’s lapel heavily embellished in black beading.

Today the collection sustained Viktor & Rolf’s tried and true formula of menswear, reflecting their own personal style of preppy sportswear countered by smart suiting – always finished with their signature touch of subtle, quirky detailing.

We caught up quickly with Viktor & Rolf after the show, to ask them a few questions…

A MAGAZINE: How was your experience making NºE in 2003?
Viktor & Rolf: Oh wow that was a long time ago! Yes, we turned it into a catalogue for our exhibition, with all of our press clippings…

A: NºE really was all about womenswear, so can you tell me who is the Viktor & Rolf man?
V&R: Well, he is us!

A: I couldn’t help notice a similarity between La Roux and Tilda Swinton, after seeing your Dolls exhibition last month in Antwerp…
V&R: It wasn’t on purpose..
La Roux: Haha, its the hair!

A: Why did you choose a female performer for your menswear show?
V&R: Because we love her music, and our mens presentation is always very small and exclusive, we like to have live music because it adds to the intimacy of the space.

A: The first song colourless colour seemed an appropriate choice for the collection…
V&R: Yes, that was a great choice from ellie’s point, the collection was all about shadows, about light and dark.