FashionRiseRaun LaroseNostalgia and striking paneled designs form the basis in the NYC designer's Transformers-inspired S/S12 collectionShareLink copied ✔️March 26, 2012FashionRiseTextDavid HellqvistRaun Larose6 Imagesview more + The sharpness of 'Optimus Prime', the Spring Summer 2012 collection from Brooklyn-based menswear designer Raun Larose, derives from the designer's obsession with Transformers, giving the collection a sense of masculine force and strength. Initially influenced by his seamstress mother, he's still gathering pace, but was given a boost last year when referred to by Vogue Italia as 'Fashion's Future'... "Last season, superheroes were a big part of the inspiration of the collection. For autumn, anime - which was a fond memory growing up - ignited a lot of elements. 'Optimus Prime', who lead the Autobots in the anime series Transformers, is the perfect title to this collection. Working with structural silhouettes and paneling shapes that are found in my classic jacket reinforced the inspiration. As neoprene had become the key fabric in prior seasons, boucle, felt, and metallic added a wider range to the almost tri-colour palette. Also new this season was the collaboration with stylist Raul Guerrero. Raul x Raun Larose was an idea that was developed simply to cater to the modern-working-young-man in a more forward light. This collaboration consists of three pieces (turtleneck snood, briefcase tote, and belt fanny pack) that serve as accessories, but most importantly brings a sense of multi-functionality." Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MOREIn pictures: The best street style from a historic Paris Fashion WeekVivienne Westwood’s final project rejuvenates her iconic tits t-shirtRay Ban MetaIn pictures: Jefferson Hack launches new exhibition with exclusive eventIt’s official: Maria Grazia Chiuri is taking over FendiIn pictures: The wildest street style moments at London Fashion WeekVanmoofWhat went down at Dazed and VanMoof’s joyride around BerlinJoshua Ewusie was the breakout star of London Fashion WeekTrashy Clothing’s SS26 collection is lifting fashion’s veil of glamourA cult Chicago painter inspired Kiko Kostadinov’s latest showCrack is back at McQueen! Plus everything you missed at Paris Fashion WeekZimmermannKindred spirits and psychedelic florals: Zimmermann heads to 70s Sydney ‘We must find joy’: Pamela Anderson on her starring role at Valentino SS26