Pair of Kings: A Fashion and Culture Podcast
Pair of Kings is the men's fashion and culture podcast for the next generation of style. Hosted by Sol Thompson and Michael Smith in New York City, each weekly episode breaks down what's actually happening in menswear—from streetwear to archive fashion—and the trends reshaping how men dress in 2026 and beyond.
We cover the full spectrum of current men's fashion: emerging designer brands and Grailed finds, vintage menswear, sneaker culture, and luxury collaborations, Japanese denim, and the Lower East Side revival we called before anyone else.
Our interviews spotlight the creators, stylists, editors, and industry insiders pushing fashion forward—the new vanguard building culture from the ground up.
While Pair of Kings is a fashion podcast, we're also a window into the NYC scene—the Lower East Side resurgence, downtown nightlife, art world crossovers, and the community energy driving Gen-Z and millennial style culture.
If you care about gorpcore, workwear, Salomon sneakers, Rick Owens, Stone Island, Demna's Gucci, runway breakdowns, or just building a personal style that actually means something—this is your show.
Think of us as the bridge between legacy fashion media and the new wave: less gatekeeping, more real talk about streetwear outfits, designer pieces, sustainable fashion, and the relationship between clothing, identity, and community. New episodes every other week.
Topics we cover: men's fashion trends, streetwear culture, archive fashion, menswear podcast, NYC fashion, emerging designers, Grailed, vintage clothing, sneaker releases, luxury menswear, personal style, fashion interviews, Gen-Z style, contemporary menswear, fashion community, trend forecasting, indie sleaze, quiet luxury, relaxed tailoring, New York City culture
Pair of Kings: A Fashion and Culture Podcast
Paris Fashion Week FW26 Review: Is Raf Simons Back? Rick Owens, Dior, Dsquared2 & More | 13.17
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Is Raf Simons finally back? Is Rick Owens still the GOAT? Did Jonathan Anderson fumble his AW27 Dior menswear show? Why does Dsquared2 keep putting giant furry hats on models—and why do we respect it?
Sol and Michael break down 2026's Paris Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week with their most unfiltered runway reviews yet. Which designers are cooking? Which creative directors are washed? Find out.
RUNWAY REVIEWS:
Prada FW26: High button holes, dirty French cuffs, and silhouettes echoing early Raf archive (Riot Riot Riot era). A genuine return to form—dressing cool young people, not runway theater.
Rick Owens "TOWER": Military fashion without cosplay. Exaggerated shoulders replace traditional epaulets. Comparisons to Concordians, Porterville, Hollywood, Temple, and Lido—this might be his best of the past 5 years.
Jonathan Anderson — Dior Men's AW27: Paul Poiret references and "heritage meets subversion" press notes that don't translate.
Dsquared2 FW26: Dean and Dan Caten deliver giant furry hats, Olympic ski aesthetics, and jacked models with chiseled jawlines.
Ralph Lauren FW26: Is Ralph pandering to the Aime Leon Dore and Bodé crowd? Vintage Polo Sport looks feel five years late to the Lower East Side menswear revival. But the tailoring buried later—velvet tuxedos, opera loafers, herringbone Chesterfields, cutaway collars—still hits.
Balenciaga FW26 (Pierpaolo Piccioli): Post-Demna disappointment. Zara-coded varsity bombers, incoherent lookbook energy.
Soshio Otsuki — Pitti Uomo 2026: The Japanese designer making YSL-inspired power suits for men. Double-breasted blazers for $600, Boro stitching collabs, jumpsuit-illusion suiting.
Also discussed: Demna's Gucci debut, Louis Vuitton under Pharrell, London vs. New York street style, British tailoring culture, Rolling Dub Trio and Kozaburo boots, making a horse leather Birkin, and whether Dolce & Gabbana discourse is just an easy accountability checkbox.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED:
→ What did Raf Simons show at Prada FW26?
→ Who is the best designer of 2026?
→ Who is the new Dior menswear creative director?
→ Is Ralph Lauren copying Aime Leon Dore?
→ What happened to Balenciaga after Demna?
→ Who is Soshio Otsuki?
→ What is the high button hole trend?
→ What are the best Paris Fashion Week FW26 collections?
→ London vs. New York: Who dresses better?
Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”.
Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com
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Links:
Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All)