Few cities have been as idealized and captured on film as Los Angeles and Paris. This week, Mike Amiri, founder of the Californian label Amiri, brought these two worlds together in a cinematic show at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. The event, set to the music of south London musician Yussef Dayes, showcased a collection inspired by “modern jazz,” featuring influences from Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and Dizzy Gillespie.

The collection included formal tuxedos with dégradé beadings, slouchier lines, and flared pants, nodding to skate culture and elevated with crystal pinstripes. Models wore drum bags with guitar pick locks and music note brooches. The pieces were in faded teal, blue, and grey, with vintage-inspired knits.

Amiri, known for mixing thrifting with subcultures like rock’n’roll, garage, and skate, aimed to be “optimistic, not loud.” The designer, calm and elegant amidst the pre-show chaos, was joined by his son Ryan in finalizing the collection. Amiri’s family, including his wife and other children, attended the show.

Since launching his brand in 2014, Amiri has made a name for himself with quality garments and a fluid approach blending elegance and hype. Growing up in Hollywood with Iranian émigré parents, Amiri was influenced by the cultural diversity of LA neighbourhoods. His designs reflect a balance between modernity and avoiding a faux youthful look.

Despite the recent announcement of South Korean musician Kim Sunwoo as a brand ambassador, Amiri’s stars often find the label organically. Amiri emphasizes authenticity over chasing trends, focusing on detail and couture-level craftsmanship with DIY techniques.

James Sleaford, editor-in-chief of men’s fashion magazine ICON France, praised Amiri for bringing luxury to American cool, highlighting his cultured approach and attention to tailoring. Amiri’s work, recognized for its ripped jeans and intricate shows, represents a fusion of American cool and technical know-how.

Today, with a flagship boutique on Rodeo Drive, the “Amiri Prize” to encourage and showcase up-and-coming talent, a second retail space in Dubai, and a pop-up store in Saint Tropez, Amiri is pursuing a global dialogue. “In a world where everything is shared and visible, there is  a blending of cultures — not through geography, but the things people gravitate towards,” he said.

“If people connect to your story, your aesthetic, maybe it’s something about them they find in there,” he continued. “Something they want to bring out in themselves.”