Nicolas Gabard, the founder of the Parisian menswear label Husbands, is a certified head-turner for two reasons. First, his hair: long, foppish and almost entirely grey, it’s swept back in a way that is entirely singular and instantly arresting. Second, the way his suits sit across his shoulders and nip at the waist with sublime elegance, with trousers that cut across his navel. Not to mention the audaciously unbuttoned shirt he somehow carries off effortlessly. The man oozes style in a way rarely encountered. Grey has never looked so good.

Since it was set up in 2012, Husbands has become one of the most compelling names in modern tailoring. What began as Gabard’s pursuit to create the perfect suit has evolved into a cult menswear label revered for its distinctly cinematic vision of masculinity, which is rooted in 1970s culture. The name itself is borrowed from John Cassavetes’ 1970 film Husbands, while Gabard cites the likes of Serge Gainsbourg, David Bowie and Samuel Beckett as key sources of inspiration.

Prior to launching the brand, the erudite Gabard worked as both a lawyer and in advertising. It was in this previous life that he became frustrated with the rigidity and conservatism of contemporary suiting and immersed himself in the world of bespoke tailoring. Husbands was created to be the bridge between tailoring and fashion.

Located near Palais-Royal, the Paris flagship feels more akin to a carefully curated apartment than a traditional tailoring store. Records, books and vintage references sit alongside tailoring swatches and ready-to-wear collections. All of this helps to contextualise the Husbands man. It’s an environment that reflects Gabard’s belief that style is inseparable from culture and that great tailoring should evoke a feeling as much as it does a silhouette.

When looking at the classic, luxury suiting offering on MR PORTER, Husbands stands out. It has a distinct design language that feels directional yet rooted in tradition. Gabard cites the 1920s and 1930s – and every decade until the 1970s – as references, claiming that it was during this period men that dressed with purpose.

The Husbands silhouette is instantly recognisable thanks to the sharp, sensual and elongated shape, care of strong shoulders, generous lapels with square-like notches, high-waisted trousers and an emphatic waistline. It subtly exaggerates the male form without appearing costume-like.

Like all the finest tailoring houses – and those that are a part of our Behind The Suit campaign – much of the work exists under the surface, with construction and fabrication playing a critical role. Husbands’ suits are crafted in Italy by specialist tailoring workshops, while many of the fabrics are sourced from renowned British mills, creating a dialogue between French attitude, Italian craftsmanship and traditional English cloth. Each jacket features a full canvas construction, which over time moulds to the body, plus structured chest pieces and high-quality internal finishing to ensure the garments endure and improve in time.

Shirting is a key part of the offering – Gabard takes great pride in sourcing exclusive, syrupy silk fabrics for the brand’s range of formal shirts. Combined with suiting, the look is designed to move naturally through modern life.

Elegant, confident and surprisingly wearable, the Husbands look underlines the joy that can be found with wearing tailoring. It’s this combination of emotion, culture and technical precision, as mastered by Gabard, that has transformed Husbands from a niche Parisian label into one of the most influential voices in contemporary tailoring today.