D&G Fall 2011 Menswear for Women

Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce offer up a Fall collection that's half chic, polished and inspired. The other half is adorned with cheesy stars and bold prints. The good half is menswear inspired, but also reminiscent of the large, unfitted and bubble shaped silhouettes present in many other Fall 2011 collections. That's not to say D&G's menswear inspired looks are without innovation--particularly sleeveless and cropped elements. Overall, they remind me of that girl who worked at the record store in Pretty In Pink. You know, the totally badass one.

Instead of the not so good, this is the great:

Posted by: Carla

Salvatore Ferragamo Menswear Fall 2011

There's something to be said for a collection whose colours seem to melt into each other. With each exit, the clothes evolve into something new, and yet silhouettes, fabrics and colours string them together. Massimiliano Giornetti's Menswear line for Italian house Salvatore Ferragamo offers just that. The show begins with bright whites and warm beiges, shift into saturated reds, rusts and burgundies before a segue into a rather delightfully unexpected sea of deep turquoises and blues. Giornetti, who has been with the company for over 10 years, was only appointed as creative director of both women and menswear in July 2010. This line shows promise for what is to come under his direction.

Posted by: Carla

Vivienne Westwood Menswear Fall 2011

Vivienne Westwood has said of her Menswear Fall 2011 line:


"When the lads who now model in our show came to the casting they looked so different from one another, different types different characters. Yet everyone of them as well as being clever and sweet seemed to be a perfect beauty. Our ‘MAN’ collection has plenty of choice. Do clothes bring out the personality? We just chose the clothes to suit them by intuition. They all look British, I can’t say why except to say it’s unavoidable – I’m British, that’s what happens. And because these lads are clever it happened that we style them as young intellectuals – student types. All ready for life + love + responsibility. With royal marriage in the air, who would you choose to be your bridegroom? Come on girls our catwalk is your chance to dream." 

While we often comment that womenswear is continually taking on masculine or even androgynous forms, the same can be said about Westwood's Menswear line. And why not? If fashion is art, why not push the boundaries both ways? Don't be surprised to see Westwood's offering of flamboyantly attired men with brightly coloured clothes and lipstick. Some of the prints are reminiscent of Prada's Spring 2010 womenswear, while others share the same saturated tones of Jil Sander's Menswear for 2011. Although the line offers such diverse pieces, it seems odd to call it a collection, what makes Westwood different is what brings these garments together. And it doesn't hurt that every guy I know would look great in a number of these looks or pieces. If clothes bring do indeed bring out personality, at least Westwood has nearly every personality in mind. 

Posted by: Carla

Jil Sander Mens Fall 2011

Showing in Milan today was Jil Sander's menswear for Fall 2011. Under the creative direction of Raf Simons, the German line offered rich wools and beautiful, saturated colours. However, the line also offers boxy tops with slim models resulting in a disproportionate silhouette.  As mentioned, the line is not without some beautiful pieces, although they would be better suited to less waif-like bodies.

The Good:

Some not so good:

Posted by: Carla

For the Boys: Burberry Pre-Fall 2011

Yes, Burberry Prorsum's male models often look as waifish as the girls, but they're also incredibly well dressed. In fact, there is something about the male body that begs to be dressed. Too bad most boys I know would never let me deck them out in designer wear. At least male fashion allows me to dream. And honestly, we must trust the wise words of Cher Horowitz: "He dressed better than me. What would I bring to the relationship??" Alas, boys dressed this well are only to be dreamt about:

Posted by: Carla