Paris Takes Back Fashion
Givenchy, Lanvin, Yves Saint Laurent, and Chanel have always been on our lips, but not a fashion force for a long time, until now. Not long ago our favourite labels and names came from Milan. Starlets wore shape-cut Gucci, Fashion sophisticates wore Prada, and party-goers wore Cavalli. How the fashion world has changed.
Orthodox Style
Men’s fashion has become a new place for designers to experiment with ideas, as men have torn away tradition for more daring looks. Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy has been able to turn men’s fashion into a playground of experimentation. Thom Browne has remixed men’s classics into abstract art, but Tisci has been able to mix mens wear with feminine aesthetics, yet masculine and commercial successful. Only John Paul Gaultier has come almost as close to his success in deconstructed men’s fashion.
“Does It Come In Black?”
Pattern, shape, and colour still dominate the runway for Spring/Summer 2013. Thom Browne has taken these trends and remixed them into a tapestry of eccentric style. Yet, breakdown each outfit is wearable perfection.
The Women’s side of this Mad Hatter Collection is framed on men’s tailoring, which gives it a modern feeling. The muted colour in some of his women’s pieces help you to concentrate on the shape, while the colourful pieces give pop to otherwise boring reconditioned men’s wear.
The Men’s side of his collection is blasted with colour and pattern. Browne is not afraid to have his men speak loud. Always a man of shape, Browne’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection is all about layers. He has also taken 1960’s Mod, and made it sheer madness with silver painted skin. The combination has created a perfect storm of fashion whimsy.
The Man, Wang
The ladies already know, but Wang is the man. Alexander Wang is the downtown New York Designer who always hits a home run with the “it” set.
I resisted the Wang fan club for a long time, chalking his “it” status to hype, but I was wrong. This past summer, in Los Angeles, Wang came into my life when I bought the most amazing tank-top at the most amazing shop. T by Alexander Wang is a basic line, which has developed season by season. The men’s collection has been a slow start, but worth the wait.
Guys, you must enter a Wang T-shirt into your wardrobe. The American classic T-shirt has been given a contemporary spin by Wang. Wang T-shirts have a relaxed fit that fall away from the body without making you look sloppy. I wear mine on the plane to look “cool” and put together. Each Wang T is made from the softest cotton and makes your body look amazing. I’ve started giving them to my male friends as gifts. This Spring, dump that crew and get a Wang.
FYI: Rumour has it, Wang may take over at Dior!?
Spring Step
The clock has stuck midnight and you’ve thrown off your tacky sparkle suit, it’s 2012. Winter is in high gear, so I guess the next thing to do is plan your spring wardrobe. Flipping through Style.com, I stumbled across an old-time favorite, Jean Paul Gaultier.
The Gaultier men’s collection is always innovative and sexy; he always makes me feel guilty for not pushing my male fashion style envelope; skits, tribal prints, and unconventional models—Gaultier is King. Like this spring/summer 2011 look, Gaultier pushes traditional men’s wear.
However, looks like a times are-a-changing, with volatility in stocks and jobs markets, people need to get back to work, including Gaultier. James Dean inspired looks were combined with signature Gaultier plaid, nautical strips, and bare-chested men to create a wearable wardrobe.
This Gaultier collection is not one of my favourites, as I normally dream of wearing each piece in a created fantasy, while this collection blends into my realty, Gaultier is my street style dream. I miss feeling bad about not having my tattoo print shirt and tribal skirt on as I walk to the nearest grocery store; Gaultier is men’s fashion at its best. The looks of this collection will keep you fashionable and sexy all spring and summer, while cash registers bulge at stores, but Gaultier’s whimsical spirit is left behind on this one. Anyway, the best thing about fashion is that a new collection is always on its way. These are the highlights of his latest.
