Milan & Paris Menswear Spring/Summer 2011 Collections: Westwood, Moncler Gamme Bleu, Gucci

Euro Dandy or Euro Heir?Summer Drizzle: Moncler Gamme Bleu S/S 2011 Trenchcoat

The Menswear Spring/Summer 2011 Collections continue and here are some of my faves. First up, the Moncler Gamme Bleu Collection, designed by American Thom everything-is-shrunken Browne. Browne is known for his great presentations and somehow he had to "top himself" from last year's Swimming Extravaganza. He did. The runway show occurred in Milan's Vellodromo Vigorelli Football (soccer for the Gringos) Stadium and it was all about chic Activewear for that Tour de France fashionista in every man. Great windbreakers, trench coats, shrunken double-breasted cardigan/jackets (I can't wait until Topman knocks those off!) and LEGGINGS--bicycle-print ones, which I guarantee will be the "must purchase" for every stylin' gay this side of the Marais!
Going To A Picnic: Vivienne Westwood Menswear S/S 2011

Moving onto Vivienne Westwood. Her Menswear show was FAAAABUUUULOUS! I could just see those bloggers and oh-we-don't-get-it people saying "I would NEVER wear that!", "Is she crazy?", "what IS thaaaaat???". Ummm, how shall I say this politely: That's not the point and by the way IT'S NOT FOR YOU!! (for those people who say the "I would never wear that" comment. It's all about creative inspiration and creating a presentation--a show (think John Galliano). BIZZZNESS Class: Vivienne Westwood Men Spring 2011

Smart editors, store buyers and fashion-savvy writers will see beyond the wig and 1979 Male Hooker scarf (love!) and see a great plaid jacket, a rather "basic" purple gingham shirt one could even buy at Urban Outfitters, and some sexy shoes to boot! I loved the collection so much, I actually started looking for some inspiration for my upcoming lecture trip to Italy next month. I have been invited to speak to the Miami University of Ohio Summer Europe Program once again so I saw this look below from Miss Westwood as a "suggestion" for my "Traveling to Europe" ensemble...and well, I had to think again. It could be the Manpris or it might have been the I-think-all-that-carry-on might NOT be allowed on the plane factor...So, in other words, I had to "think again". A look which definitely might be in my "Summer In Florence" ensemble is:
Ahhhhhhhh, yes, leave it to Gucci. I think the above outfit WILL BE my inspiration for next month's European trip and lecture. For Spring/Summer 2011, Designer Frida Giannini designed a collection which was very 1960's Fiat Heir On His Way To Capri...or London.
The collection screamed Andrea and Pierre Casaraghi (Princess Caroline's we-do-nothing-bu-go-on-Holidays- sons). Slim very 60s suits, high-water cropped pants (a S/S 2011 Trend), rolled-up sleeves (great styling!) and an altogether Euro Trash-Gone Good look to it, which is what defines Gucci.
My Positano Beach Bag: Gucci Spring/Summer 2011 The sock-less loafers (sooooo GUCCI old-school!)
Oh it all SCREAMS "Me!". Now this is a collection where it is OK to say: "I would wear that!" Thank God the Euro is poor and the Dollar is strong because "Uncle Nick" might have to do some Gucci Damage in Italy!

Click Below for Moncler Gamme Bleu by Thom Browne Spring/Summer 2011:


Click Below for the Vivienne Westwood Menswear Spring 2011 Preview:


Click Below for the Gucci Menswear Spring 2011 Runway:

Milan & Paris Menswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011: The Hot Trends

Get Ready Boys: High-Waters, Speedos, Drop Crotch Pants and Mandals Dsquared2 Spring/Summer 2011: Two Trends In One: Speedos and Mandals

As ever Gay Fashionista Male in this Earth knows, the Spring 2011 Menswear Collections are happening right now in Milan. Menswear trends and styles change and/or move at a much slower pace than womenswear. It's all about the DETAILS. However, in terms of some "new" style direction coming out of Milan, here are the Trends: The 80s Are Back; High-water cropped pants are staying (they look great on them 6'4" boys, maybe not so much on the rest of us); DROP-CROTCH pants that are lose and baggy up top but tight-as-tight can be around the calves will be the "new" skinny pant for men, if Jean Paul Gaultier has his way. (I kinda love them, especially on his HOT bearded models in above photos!)I also like the Stovepipe-shaped pants (above) from Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton. Incidentally, that trench is "TO D.I.E!!!" LOVE.
The Speedo is BAAACK! Yep, dump the board shorts and opt for something more skimpy like the ones above from Dsquared2. Again, I suggest you have a body like Michael Phelps if you want to make that "Speedo" style plunge.Finally, it is all about the Mandals like the criss-cross ones from Louis Vuitton above, or the ivory ankle-strapped ones from Guiliani Fujimora. I am SO looking for these on Ebay next year!!!

Click BELOW for Dsquared2 Spring 20111 Men Runway Show: Part 1


Dsquared2 Show: Part 2


Click BELOW for Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton Menswear 2011 Runway Show:

Resort 2010 Trend Alert: The High Waisted, Cropped Pant

You Slouch!The Latest Pant: Paperbag Cropped Trousers, Marc Jacobs Resort 2010

Slouchy, loose-yet-fitted, pleated and pegged...these are all the buzz words for Resort 2010. And since the Resort Collections are just an overture to what you will see for Spring/Summer, then this is just the beginning of a major trend alert! These Pants look AMAZING...on a 6'2" size 2 model: Proenza Schouler Resort 2010

Designers, from Marc Jacobs to Proenza Schouler to Lanvin's Alber Elbaz, are still in a major 1980's "moment" and these pants are indicative of this. Since I am a child of the 80's, I unfortunately remember these. I would venture to guess that most of the Design Assistants at these firms, weren't even born in the 1980s (God I feel old!) and think these are just so "new and fresh". When I see these, all I can think of is Dexy's Midnight Runners and their 1982 "Come On Eileen" video. Matthew Williamson Resort 2010

As I began looking at all the Resort Collection photos, I noticed these pant styles kept popping up. What first came to mind was can a "real girl" wear these? The silhouette alone seems to be unflattering to just about EVERY OTHER GIRL---except the 5'11", 112 lb, size 2 model wearing them! They emphasize your hips and cut off your legs at a rather unflattering line. But to heck with that. Fashion doesn't have to be for everybody.Cropped Graduate: A design from FIDM Debut '09 graduate, Adrian Manuel

These pants are fabulous and chic-- if you are a size 0-4 fashionista girl, a junior Vogue editor fresh out of NYU or a young, tall and thin Hollywood starlet or singer. And I must admit, I thought they were cute enough for one of my FIDM Advanced Fashion Design students to show them for their Debut 2009 Collection earlier this year.
Phillip Lim 3.1 Resort 2010

I'll be really curious to see how much this trend takes effect and how soon Forever 21 knocks it off! I'm sure you could already find a pair at H & M. The one thing this trend might be really good for is the Shoe Industry. Whereas the trend before was to cover the shoe with floor-grazing jeans and trousers, now we are exposing them with these new cropped and pegged high-waisted baggy pants. And just when you think that it's only the females who are being burdened with this trend: Think again. The latest Paris and Milan Menswear Collections also showed cropped , pegged and (I am about to scream!) PLEATED pants!!!!