AW 2011 Menswear Roundup Part 2

From Milan to Paris  its safe to say that the Autumn/Winter 2011 Menswear collections that have been showing these last few weeks are anything but underwhelming. Every designer has taken a step in a different direction, which makes for great and innovative fashion especially when it comes to denim. Two things are certain, this is definitely a season of firsts and a season of change.

Muted and worn out denim in over-sized, billowy silhouettes pulled perfectly together with a daffy styling aesthetic that only Vivienne Westwood could pull off  was the name of the game for the designers namesake collection–and one change that we love! With stand-alone denim separates ranging from denim jackets to jeans  that can be  integrated into any wardrobe, this usually overly-conceptual line has been the denim surprise of the season thus far. Dark red lipstick and finger wave hairdo are optional, of course!

Like we said in our last round up, AW 2011 is all about color and Dolce & Gabbana embraces this fully giving their collection some definite passion! Tapered, low-slung jeans in a variety of red and grey worn and acid washes created a slouchy silhouette that add an edge to the overall glam look of  multi-color sequins blazers a la Bryan Ferry. Skinny leather suspenders and heavy duty boots finish off the look.  As Style.com puts it, it’s definitely “…glam for a brash, butch new age.”

It’s no secret that most of our denim go-to brands are going through a major denim deficit–at least when it come to the actual use of the textile. After last seasons heavy use of bleached out denim goods, we were excited to see what Dries Van Noten would offer us next. However, we got hardly anything to subside our  denim cravings. But no matter… instead many designers like Van Noten have opted get the classic denim look by way of other materials. Among the beautiful assortment of garments that appear to be denim (even to us at first glance) from shirts to coats, are a pair of actual denim motorcycle pants that unzip from waist to ankle. Though not exactly what we’re used, it’ll suffice.

For more images from these collections and more go here. Want to know more about the latest AW 2011 collections? Stay tuned for more of our coverage of  Men’s Fashion Week!

—Sandoval Gomez

Tags: Autumn Winter 2011, billowy silhouettes, bold color, Classic denim look, denim jackets, denim motorcycle pants, Dolce & Gabbana, Dries Van Noten, Grunge/Glam, low-slung jeans, Men's Fashion Week, oversized denim, slouchy silhouette, tappered jeans, Vivienne Westwood, zipper detail

AW 2011 Menswear Round Up Part 1

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Tags: 1930s, 1940s, Acne Jeans, avant-garde, aw 2011, color denim, D&G, Dior Homme, Dsquared2, Dustbowl, Edun, Henrik Vibskov, Jil Sander, John Varvatos, Kenzo, Kris Van Assche, menswear, minimalism, Moschino, Paul Smith, Raf Simons, retro, Roaring 20s, Western

Guess Presents FW 2011 at Bread & Butter

If any denim brand wants to go global in Europe, then presenting their Fall-Winter 2011 collection at the Bread & Butter tradeshow in Berlin was the place to be.  On Wednesday, Guess debuted their FW2011 runway presentation to its European audience of potential buyers.  Guess heads Paul and Maurice Marciano were in Berlin, hosting a special “after party”; proving their commitment to cementing Guess’ presence in Germany and Europe.  As for denim apparel and jeans, everything was styled in a mix of American-rugged meets on-trend European LookBook poster child flair.  There seems to be a clear divide between the men’s and women’s collections for Fall-Winter:  the women’s collection is very feminine and skinny, while the men’s seem predominantly “manly”; jeans were distressed, vintage-washed, slim or tapered fit, but not necessarily skin tight and clean looking.  This is perhaps due to Guess’ “Traveler” theme, where you might envision dusty roads and journeys across continents.  Going “Back to the Roots,” Guess has pulled key pieces from their archives and updated their iconic denim cuts for this collection.

Source: Guess PR.

– Kathy Ng Hassan

Tags: Bread & Butter, Guess, Maurice Marciano, Paul Marciano

BOSS Orange: Street Style Inspiration Direct From The Runway

There is no doubt that street style fashion is at an all time high, and whether we like it or not it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, it’s had such an impression that even many designers have been looking to the streets for inspiration, and HUGO BOSS is no exception.

Rightfully dubbed BOSS brands’ urban, lighthearted, and cool collection, BOSS Orange is for those who–in true street style fashion–love experimentation. Eclectic and perfectly street-styled head-to-toe, the Fall/Winter 2010 line give us everything from unconventional mixing of materials, play on proportions, contrasting colors and patters, denim, to even accessories and so much more. Without a doubt if you’re in search for a straight off-the-runway look with some street cred, BOSS Orange should definitely be your go-to brand.

Here are a few of our favorite street and denim savvy picks from the collection:

Images from  hugoboss.com

For more on BOSS Orange and to view the full collection head to hugoboss.com.

— Sandoval Gomez

Tags: BOSS Orange, Fall/Winter 2010, HUGO BOSS, Street Style

Spurr Of The Moment: Simon Spurr S/S 2011

Using a predominantly warm color palette of  yellows, rusty reds, browns, and even pink to cooler greys, crisp whites, and blues, designer Simon Spurr takes a modernized version of dapper British man, and takes him into The Big Apple. But don’t be fooled, having had stints at design houses such as Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, the U.K. native knows a thing or two about American style. So, what happens when the two worlds meet? We get an ultra luxe meets toned down, easy, modern aesthetic.

Among the preppy staples of three-piece suits, coats, and precisely tailored blazers, Spurr gets the cool factor by incorporating high quality, ultra-premium jeans. The perfect piece in any borderline foppish wardrobe. Here are our favorite denim looks from his Spring Summer 2011 collection:

Images from www.spurr.tv

Browse the rest of the collection, and more from Simon Spurr here.

— Sandoval Gomez

Tags: British Style, Calvin Klein, premium jeans, Ralph Lauren, Simon Spurr

The Runway Gets Cheap: Cheap Monday S/S 2011

Hip, modern, edgy, and–in their terms–minimal, Cheap Monday has given us a collection that definitely revs us up for the Spring and Summer season, and they’ve done it in a way that only they could pull off.  From the risqu?, sheer, mid-drift tops, to the diversely distressed and delectably embellished denim, this collection has everything essential for the button-pusher and so-not-cheap style enthusiast in all of us.

Denim fits ranged from a more tapered boyfriend jean, to the still strong skinny– taggings and studs absolutely not optional.

images courtesy of cheapmonday.com

Want to get Cheap?  View the current collection,  and check out footage and more images of the S/S 2011 Runway Show on cheapmonday.com.

– Sandoval Gomez

Tags: boyfriend jeans, Cheap Monday, Cheap Monday Denim, cheapmonday.com, S/S 2011, skinny jeans

Denim Branches Out at London Fashion Week

Denim is branching out; from the runway to street photos we are seeing every piece of clothing made out of denim. For its usual pants obligation the wide trouser leg that have some deeming the return of the 70s, gained momentum in New York Fashion Week and continued across the pond this week in London.

The prose of denim is the sheath dress showed by London based designer Osman. No longer is simple synonymous with boring with these artfully draped and tailored creations. Along with the full denim skirt Osman took our favorite fabric to create runway looks that can translate to your wardrobe. The dark denim appeared throughout his collection, under flowing tops in a straight trouser leg with a cuff.

Twenty8Twelve, the brainchild of sisters Sienna and Savannah Miller, showed a collection any girl could see herself in. As in any well-rounded wardrobe denim was a key player. It appeared as loose shorts, overalls, a bibbed top, a full skirt and even a belt. While reviews may be across the board, the retail value of this collection cannot be denied. Indeed, the sisters are opening a third London boutique in October and the line is carried throughout the world.

– Laura Kealey

[Editor's Note: Christopher Kane, Erdem, Meadham Kirchhoff, and Peter Pilotto, the four out of the five designers from the new J Brand 5x5 London collection also showed at LFW.]

Tags: J Brand 5x5 London, London, Osman, Spring 2011, Twenty8Twelve