New York Fashion Week may be in full swing, but we didn’t want to blow through the week without acknowledging the menswear fashion shows in Europe. Decidedly more subdued this time around, not to say there weren’t theatrics in play (Jean Paul Gaulter and Ann Demeulemeester notwithstanding) nor performance art (check out Thom Browne’s presentation), many brands incorporated denim into their Fall-Winter 2012 menswear collections while continuing to reach far back to source 300 years of fashion.
Agnès B infused denim into its Fall 2012 collection, which started off as a predictable menswear show, until it took a sharp turn towards androgyny with the introduction of a denim wrap skirt and tunic silhouettes which softened the male silhouette against cuffed, loose-fit jeans. Some of the models were styled with ballet flats, which was not lost on us.
Olivier Rousteing isn’t trying to rock the boat too much at Balmain, after stepping in for Christophe Decarnin. As you can see, jeans for men continue to be biker-chic, while the rest of the collection invokes the aristocracy of the Napoleonic era.
Your Milk Man or Soda Jerk is reincarnated, thanks to Dolce & Gabbana‘s continued retro motif, juxtaposing a bit of Dandy style with some Blue Collar appeal. Heavily whiskered jeans with a deep cuff signals a changing of the guard: the inseams and the rise are going up.
Dries Van Noten may be showing his appreciation for Dutch master painters (though he, himself, is Belgian): a warm orange jean is both trendy and classic-looking against the collection’s wild and experimental takes on the classic denim jackets. Evidently, the brand is not afraid to work outside the box.
Dsquared2 has moved out of the Old West and continues to re-work denim in its various forms: a classic denim jacket holds metal appliques on its sleeves; drop-waist, contrast fabric waistband jeans are becoming the brand’s signature look, and an Argyle-washed chambray shirt was a creative turn and proof that the brand has placed a considerable amount of investment into denim fashion.
Images via Style.com. Stay tuned for more fashion show coverage, this time from New York!
—Kathy Ng Hassan
Tags: Agnes B, Balmain, denim for men, Dolce & Gabbana, Dries Van Noten, Dsquared2, jeans for men, Men's Fashion Week, menswear, Milan Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week
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
Follow the yellow brick road, well, more like the snow slushed sidewalks if you’re in NYC, but nevertheless, girl, you still have to look FIERCE! Designers do denim and shoes never looked better!
Whether it’s high or low fashion, there’s something for every budget.
High-end Shoes:
Dolce & Gabbana Denim Leopard Print Pumps, $595.00
Alexander McQueen Denim Blue Zipper Pump $794.00
YSL Tribute Denim Platform Sandal, $895.00
Valentino ‘Petale’ Denim Ballerina Flat, $495.00
Lanvin Cross-over denim sandal, $760.00
Low-end fashion shoes:
Forever21 Lindy Denim Bootie, $24.80
Elie Tahari “Dahlia” Driver with Zipper Flower, $198.00
Go Jane Peep-toe Slingback Wedge Sandal, $16.60
–Nikki Cho Russo
Tags: Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana, Elie Tahari, Forever21, GoJane, Valentino, YSL
Denim could not be more luxe than in these gorgeous denim bags. Don’t get the cold shoulder anymore, sport these fantastic denim bags and be the chicest lady in town!
Dolce & Gabbana Miss Martini Jeweled Clutch, $1,295.00 - Fun, sparkly, perfect for a cocktail party.
Dolce & Gabbana @ Neiman Marcus
Valentino Denim Petal Tote, $1,395.00
In full bloom, this bag will draw all the right attention and packs in all your necessities.
Lanvin Denim Shopping Tote, $1,056.77
For the ultimate bag lady, this denim shopping tote adds a wink and a smile to your day.
Lanvin Denim Amalia Bag, $1,675.00 - Very lady-like denim done for the posh girly-girl.
Miu Miu Denim Pocket Tote, $1,150.00 - Fun, sporty and versatile.
Botkier Trigger Moto Convertible Bag, $295.00
A nice little edgy bag to take you from day to evening.
–Nikki Cho Russo
Tags: Botkier, Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin, Miu Miu, Valentino
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