Men’s fashion has seen the likes of Roberto Cavalli, Burberry Prorsum and Costume National showcase a wealth of innovative, fresh designs. As we welcome the spring/summer season we see more oversized man bags, bold and bright colours and geometric shapes dominate the catwalks.
The street ready styling of Frankie Morrello’s collection may appeal to the urban gent about town with the introduction of different fabrics and textures and rucksacks, while Ermenegildo Zenga made use of khakis and suedes in muted colours such as brown, sand, beige and pale greens. The twins of Dsquared2 were playful with their colour choices, however, mis-matching suits with contrasting and bright colours.
Looking towards the 2011 autumn/winter collection, we can see the trend change. Designers’ offerings include darker, earthier tones, firmer materials, biker jackets, bleached jeans and a touch of bohemianism with the use of skinny scarves.
How does this all translate into men’s fashion today? Designers are showing the world of fashion that men can be colourful and playful yet masculine. It is all in the tailoring.
Men seeking to revamp their wardrobes should focus on lightweight, easy to wear fabrics, geometric prints, airy pullovers and bold colours. Chinos are also a staple part of any on trend wardrobe and will be a big part of fashion in 2011. Chinos are easily styled with slim fit shirts and t-shirts, espadrilles, deck shoes and skinny ties or scarves. Chinos will also carry urban gents from summer through to autumn comfortably. As the weather gets cooler, simply layer clothing.
Chilled-out, cool and relaxed are the three looks to go for, as far as fashionable gents are concerned this year This should come as a great relief for those men, who are getting fed up with the pretentious and power-brokering look that has held sway on and off since the early 1980s.
Designers are becoming obviously more conducive to experimentation, in a way that was unheard of in anything outside of women’s fashion until quite recently. Indeed, many of the elements common to women’s design have successfully transferred across to men.
Laced (literally) with Pirates of the Caribbean’s Johnny Depp style, the new ‘metrosexual’ look is iconoclastic. It smashes those perceived male stereotypes and introduces something almost reminiscent of the ‘New Romantics’ movement of several decades ago.
Not all of the designs are literally wearable for everyday use of course but these collections are setting the extreme boundaries of the general trends in this direction.
London, Paris and Milan have come up with some truly eclectic collections that are characterised by such accoutrements as leggings, chains, lace, bracelets, loose fitting jackets and chopped T-shirts. What is more, the models look as if they are actually enjoying themselves for a change and it is little wonder, with so much fun and high fashion in evidence.
Look out for the likes of blazers and jackets this summer with skinny ties, glittering cufflinks and a vast array of chains in all shapes and sizes. Linen is the material of choice, with fashion and sense coinciding perfectly for a change.
Gianfranco Ferré originally trained as an architect before transforming himself into an Italian designer of women’s clothing, fragrances, and couture. Despite the addition of high fashion to his line in 1986, Ferré remains influenced by an aesthetic that focuses on casual garments that are constructed with great attention and care to small details such as cuffs, ruffles, and collars. His signature style includes lines that are crisp and clean, a result of exact cutting techniques and careful finishing.
Yet Ferré’s styles are unique in that many of them feature visible seams. Ferré admits that he has been heavily influenced by Asian trends such as the rich colours and luxurious fabrics that characterise much of fashion in China and Japan. His FERRÉ Milano line, launched in the 1990s, features ready-to-wear pieces as well as high-end accessories and furs.
Fashion insiders feared that Ferré’s death in 2007 might mark an end to the line’s influence in the world of fashion, but the appointment of Lars Nilsson as creative director helped the brand transition to a future without him. By 2009, Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi, who replaced Nilsson at the helm, had triumphed with a spring collection that modernized Ferré’s style while keeping his signature elements. One feature of the updated look was dresses made in geometric forms that made the most of a woman’s natural curves.
Celebrity clients of the Ferré line include a wide range of famous women from Oprah Winfrey to Julia Roberts and Sharon Stone.
Gucci, sometimes known as the House of Gucci, is a famous fashion brand from Italy that is also well known for its leather goods. The company was set up in 1921 and provides a range of products, from clothing and shoes to watches and jewellery. Gucci is actually the top-selling Italian brand for fashion and runs 278 individual shops across the world. With many other high street stores and departmental outlets stocking their clothing, Gucci products are easily accessible to everyone.
The brand is popular amongst many fashion-loving men who enjoy wearing luxury clothing. It displays the elements of strength, style and independence throughout all its menswear ranges. Most of its winter collections are in black, grey or brown shades to provide a simple and autumnal feel to match with various outfits.
Music celebrity Sean Paul is a big fan of Gucci eyewear. Other accessories include wallets, belts and bags, of which many are made from leather. As previously stated, Gucci is a very well known and prestigious brand, popular amongst men who are able to afford the luxurious clothing of this famous company.
The footwear collection at Gucci is particularly popular nowadays, all the more so as the company is a top manufacturer of leather goods. Gucci offers its clientele a multitude of footwear from which to choose, made from all manner of different materials and textures.
As you may have noticed the summer sales have already started which is great as you can get some great bargains for the remainder of summer, well as long as we have some good weather! With the sales starting earlier and earlier each year you get to make the most of your bargains as well as stock up on essentials for next year.
For example I’ve had my eye on some designer clothes for summer that at original price I could not justify buying, however a lot of brands have put key fashion pieces into their sale, so it’s worth checking out, especially if you really want something special.
It’s not just statement fashion pieces in the sales, wardrobe essentials such as t-shirts, vest tops, trousers, designer jeans and designer dresses have been discounted by many stores so it’s a great way to stock up your wardrobe for next summer, saving not only money but time too!
You can also get some great deals on shoes, accessories and jewellery too, keeping an eye out when your favourite designer stores have their sales means you can get in before their shelves have been ransacked, normally using the internet can be quicker, but social media has taken over with tips on when their sales are starting so you can get to the stores quickly.
Burberry is a luxury British fashion brand, with an iconic tartan pattern seen across many of its designs. The trench coat in particular was one of their most well-known pieces and became a huge hit. There are five main sub brands, which are: Burberry London, Burberry Brit, Thomas Burberry, Burberry Sport and Burberry Prorsum. Burberry London is the main sector, but each one offers something different. They have hundreds of independent stores all around the world, as well as making their products available for consumers to purchase online.
The British menswear range includes polo shirts, coats, jackets and lots more. All of Burberry’s designs are thought of as luxurious and stylish, and so have appeared in many fashion shoots and on many catwalks in the UK. They cater for both formal wear and more informal occasions, so you should be able to find something for any event. One of the main aims of the designers is to make the items as flexible as possible, so that they last a long time and can be adapted for many different purposes.
The top news at the moment with regards to the Burberry Prorsum collection for spring and summer 2012 is that designer Christopher Bailey is suggesting it should all slow down. He wants to place craftsmanship at the heart of the collection, using techniques unusual to menswear such as crochet and embroidery. It is the quality of design and manufacture that make a designer fashion brand worth its price tag and reputation, so it is important to stick to this idea.
A Study in Contradictions for Fall 2011
Catwalks are known for outrageousness, high fashion, and the unexpected. Runways mean many different things to many people. One thing that is rarely ever associated with runway fashion is practicality. This fall, anyone from fashion moguls to busy moms on the go will be able to take designs straight from the runways to the street.
Two of the most practical of the high fashion designers have long been the usual suspects when it comes to wearable fashion. Calvin Klein has always been a brand that is synonymous with simplicity. Their Fall 2011 line falls right in line with that sentiment. Black, gray, camel, and light brown make up the line’s subdued colour palette and the use of texture in lieu of print makes this line one of the season’s most wearable. While the line’s palette may be somewhat dull compared to the polka dots and goldenrod hues of other designers, Calvin Klein makes a statement with perfect swing dresses. Flattering lines make even the simplest piece stunning.
Another winner in the wearable yet fashionable category is no surprise either. Ralph Lauren features dramatic gowns in leather, velvet, and satin with a heavy emphasis on 1920s glamour and Asian inspiration. Like Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren utilizes classic silhouettes and simplicity to make a statement while designing clothes that will not distract from a woman’s natural beauty.
The Dresses
The dress is one of the best things about being a woman. There is only one go-to garment that makes a woman feel like a woman. There is a reason that Cinderella, or any other fairy tale princess for that matter, never wore pants. Pants can be quite chic and a skirt can be sexy but nothing captures the essence of a woman like a dress.
There were many dresses worthy of royalty during Fall Fashion Week in Paris. Miu Miu channelled the sexy film sirens of the ‘50s with fitted knee-length dresses mostly in black with gold details. The dresses in this Fall line were focused on defining the waist and emphasizing a woman’s curves.
Alexander McQueen utilized form-fitting structure with a pouf of tulle below the hips. There was a curious fascination with wedding gowns as if to suggest that a certain royal to be might choose to wear one of them in her upcoming nuptials to a certain prince.
Valentino remained well … very Valentino. There was simple feminine sophistication using understated neutrals and body skimming fabrics. The fall line delicately touched on the plaid trend of the season and combined the typically fashion forward print with floral to soften the look. To contrast Valentino’s understated tone, Stella McCartney’s take on Fall included bold polka dots and curve-hugging sheer fabrics and pencil skirts for a look that is a tad on the sexy side.
Fall/Winter 2011-2012
The texture of a garment can change the look and feel of a piece. A simple change in material can take a dress or pair of trousers from winter to summer or from a casual event to a formal event. With options spanning from tweed to leather, Fall/Winter 2011-2012 takes full advantage of the wide spectrum of textiles to create interest and give new life to old standards.
To keep up with the season’s blustery weather conditions, Prada, Mulberry and Hermes are opting for substantial handmade fabrics such as tweed and corduroy. Crocheted fabric in winter white carries the ‘70s bohemian look from Spring/Summer. Heavier fabrics and the absence of bright summer-like whites take the trend into the colder months.
Another substantial fabric that will make a big impact this fall is tweed. Chanel, Cavalli, and Vivienne Westwood are showing sturdy tweeds in burgundy and rust. Leather is also prevalent along with feathers and fur, both faux and real, as fashion once again looks to the animal kingdom for inspiration. With ‘40s-style elegance making a comeback, Gucci is offering faux fur shrugs for a luxurious, sophisticated touch. Leather is used for biker chic interpretations along with hardware detail and zippers at the cuffs for a more punk look.
For the especially bold, some retailers like French Connection, can always be relied upon to push the boundaries are encouraging the mixing of all of these textures together for one look. Although risky, the reward is high praise for being stylish and on trend.
Cruising Cannes
Karl Lagerfeld knows how to make an entrance. His 2011 Cannes Film Festival arrival was proof that no celebrity is immune to the star power of Chanel. Chanel’s Cruise 2011-2012 line made its debut at the crème de la crème of film festivals while the world’s most famous celebrities sat front and centre.
White satin gowns, palazzo pants, dropped waist dresses and shift dresses adorned with beads and other embellishments, all inspired by ‘20s and ‘30s glamour, did not disappoint. Almost as fabulous as the clothes were the celebrity onlookers such as Blake Lively, Rachel Bilson, Alexa Chung, Vanessa Paradis, and Anna Mouglalis, almost all of whom sported Chanel while on the sidelines.
What is Cruise?
While most are familiar with the twice yearly seasonal lines of Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer, few give much thought to the slightly more ambiguous line that lies somewhere in between. Cruise, also known to some as the Resort Collection or Holiday Travel Collection, is made up of clothing geared toward frequent travellers or someone heading out on holiday to escape the winter cold. Cruise wear is delivered to stores in early November and usually stays in stores until the Spring/Summer lines arrive in March and early April. The mid-season line is particularly attractive to retailers due to an extended shelf life and ample time to sell. As a result, Cruise collections are becoming increasingly important to designers.