Philip Sparks' fall/winter presentation was the unofficial kick-off to this month's many stylish soirees, culminating in the spring edition of Fashion Week come the end of March.

Sparks eschewed the traditional runway in favour of a small tableaux of about a dozen looks. Sparks -- always a fan of the woolly, the rough-hewn, the clothes tailor-made for a sail around Nantucket on a brisk fall day -- took Moby Dick as his inspiration this season.

His first model hoisted a coil of thick rope upon his shoulder, while others posed among nautical debris.

The collection, appropriately, featured a lot of navy (including a lovely peacoat with generous, rounded lapels) and sensible black wool (from sailor-style peacoats to zippered motorcycle-inspired jackets).

For land-based activities, there are substantial vests and waistcoats and gray tweed worn over crisp dress shirts in white and understated neutral plaids.

If only I were a man -- I'd love to set sail with Sparks' style.

Photos by Adam Moco.