Summertrend (men) 2012: Prints Charming

There are still men who are afraid to wear something in pink as they don’t want to look ‘too feminine’. Those men should stop reading, since this is not the trend for them. This trend, which focuses on printed pants, is for the fashion minded guys who dare to experiment with their style. Men who dare to mix ethnic prints with a checks (Etro), men who would wear a tank top with pastel shaded trousers (Givenchy) and men who, without a doubt, tie a printed scarf around their necks to match their pants (Prada, Kenzo).

This season these lads have lots to choose from. Florals (Gaultier, Moschino, Prada), scarf prints (D&G) or just beautiful color combinations (Bottega Veneta, Emporio Armani). And even the good old checks and stripes belong to this printed pant trend. Combined with other printed items or styled off more simply with uni-colored items; decide just how wild you want to bring it and make sure to have fun with it!

Summertrend(men): Roll ´em up

It´s not just the ladies who are showing off their legs this summer. Men will have to face it too (well.., just a bit) since rolled up / 7/8 pants are a trend for guys. It´s a perfect trend for those hot summer days, ´cause you don´t have to wear shorts and you can still keep it fresh. At Acne, Frankie Morello, Armani and Pringle of Scotland the designers all let some air into their menswear outfits. They showed off 7/8 pleated pants, worn either with brogues or with sandals for the ultimate freshness.

In the streets too there were lotts of male ankles at sight. Some men wore their rolled up pants with suit jackets, other with waistcoats or even  just T-shirts for the perfect casual look on a hot summer day.

It´s clear that with this trend there are innumerable options. Business men, family guys and college lads are all rolling up their legs for the sake of fashion (and ehmm… summer temperatures).

The Best of Raf Simons for Jil Sander: 2006 – 2011

Designers come and go. Some stay longer than you expected. Some are more succesful than the other. Raf Simons surely set things in motion when he started working for Jil Sander. Looking at all the collections he designed for the house, you can see his confidence growing by the season. He took the time to develop his signature and blend it with the heritage of the house. The cut of the clothes, the silhouettes, the fabrics, the colors. For the first time in a long period the Jil Sander show was something to look forward to.

The last few seasons Simons experimented with couture-shapes and see what it brought us. Other designers got inspired and followed. The same happened with his color-blocking, the longer skirts, the stripes and the play with transparency. We’ve tried to find the best of Raf Simons for Jil Sander, and we realize there is so much more to show you.

Thankfully Raf Simons is not leaving the fashion-stage, we will see much more of him in the future. Maybe at Dior, but definitely at his own menswear-label. To be continued.

Menswear: it’s all in the accessories

Spring is not far away, but in Europe it’s still winter. So we still stay close to the wintertrends – just in case you’re looking for a hat, boots or bag.

 Boots

Karl Lagerfeld is wearing them for years and will probably never take them off: his black heeled boots. And he’s absolutely right, because this fashionable footwear is everything a man needs this winter.

While women are already hooked for years, finally our men seem to be down for this timeless and ultra comfy footwear. Even the trouser- in- shoe- style seems to be accepted right now. While boots used to be worn by the rebels and mavericks, they now veered into high fashion territory. Labels like Burberry, Alexander McQueen, Kris van Assche, Bottega Veneta and Ann DeMeulemeester showed us masculine and sturdy boots. And also on the streets we find many men walking in them.

Most popular this season is for sure the combat boot, based on the actual military boot worn by soldiers. We saw them already last year, mainly because of the huge military trend, but this time the designers gave a little twist to it. They played with different colors and textures and combined brogues, sporty and grunge elements into one. Not convinced yet? Just take a look at these men…

Classic hats

They used to be the ultimate style element for a man in the twenties en thirties and for some men it still is: the classic hat. After the huge popularity in the early Nineteenth Century – think American entertainers like Humphrey Bogart and Frank Sinatra – this iconic item sadly enough disappeared for years because it became an item that was more for the older and conservative man.

But in the Nineties it was pop icon Michael Jackson that made this phenomenon incredibly popular again. Flipping his head while doing the moonwalk. And many stars followed his lead later on, like Justin Timberlake and Black Eye Peace front singer Will.i.am. They showed that a hat is something that everyone man could en should wear on every age, and not only in a classic way.

And that’s exactly what the designers showed us too this season. While still most popular worn with a suit, a hat can be worn with almost everything and in every style. From fedora chic to Mafioso cool. Preferably right on the head and a little bit over the eyes. Take a look at the photos to see which style will suit you well…

Bags

Bags, you can’t have enough of them, at least if we ask most women. But for men it has always been a little bit different. Why carrying a bag all day when you can put your stuff in your pocket? But it seems that they’ve changed their minds. For the last few years we’ve seen more and more men walking with a so-called man bag. And not just a bag, but a real it- bag that fits perfectly with their outfit. Even a clutch is no longer a no go area. Thanks to male celebs and style icons like Pharrell Williams, Kanye West and David Beckham, showing off their Louis Vuitton and Prada purses, men seem to no longer be ashamed to be spotted with a man bag.

And this is not only noticeable in the streets but the catwalks are also full of it. Man bags are coming in a wider range of size, type, color and material. They’re masculine, aesthetic and perfect to finish off your outfit for any occasion. Like the Bottega Veneta super size casual chic purses or the structured clutches from Louis Vuitton to smarten up your look. So do not longer be afraid to get in touch with your feminine side, because the man bag is slowly becoming a real wardrobe essential.

Eva Dusch

Cast Iron Catwalk Fashion Show Amsterdam FW2012

Please enjoy our images. Our review will follow shortly.

Ado Les Scents Catwalk Fashion Show Amsterdam FW2012

Though Hyun Yeu chose quite a somber theme for his collection (it was inspired by the book 1984), it turned out more positive-spirited than we thought. He designed beautiful solid, menswear items. Well-tailored (fitted) pants, shirts and coats.

Yet like in most menswear shows for fall 2012 we’ve seen so far a big part of the collection was about the suit. They came in shades ranging from lightgrey to black, as did most of the collection. Towards the end, as the music changed from a monotone sound to a more cheerful tune, Hyun added some color (a red checked scarf a pair of pants and a coat).

The designer might have felt a little down energy the last few months, but with a collection like this, he can be a happy man!

 

Backstage at AFW LAB -shows Jivika Biervliet en Sarena Huizinga

Take a look backstage at the first Lab show of today. We watched the male models getting dressed at Jivika Biervliet and of course the bunny-girls at Sarena Huizinga. Did you see those cute, knitted shoes?

ADO LES SCENTS by HYUN YEU Preview Amsterdam Fashion Week

Fashion Brand Ado Les Scents will show it’s fall/winter 2012/2013 collection on today at 1.00 PM. Designer Hyun Yeu spoke with us about his brand new collection and how he came up with his inspiration.

Title
“The name of my new collection is 1984, after the book written by British writer George Orwell. In this book he focuses on the Western world in the year 1984. People work in factories and live a said, colorless existence. This became my inspiration for the show.”

Hard work
“I came up with this 1984 theme, since I was having a lot of down energy. After years of working in the fashion industry I realized everything is really difficult. It is very hard work and sometimes fashion also feels like a factory, in which everyone is just making a small part.”

Collection
“I translated this down energy through monotone clothes, with hardly any identity. All items we designed look very similar. I used lots of black and grey and just a little bit of wine color. The collection is really about what menswear actually is. We will show about 22 looks. Since we have been to Florence and go to Paris right before the show our collection is already completed.”

Joy
“Though my inspiration is not so cheerful, I am very much looking forward to the show. I love showing my work to a broad audience and I like the vibe at Amsterdam Fashion Week. I enjoy working with a great team of models and hair & makeup stylists; it makes me feel fashion is alive. When we prepare for the show I also want everyone to have a really good time. Backstage preparations is not work for us; we are just enjoying. It’s like a holiday to us.”

Sjaak Hullekes Catwalk Fashion Show Amsterdam FW2012

Moroccan sounds, a Moroccan smell (!) and half naked dancers; Sjaak Hullekes’ show has started!

Inspired by Gemstone, Marrakesh, the movie Pink Narcissus and clips of Serpentine Dancers Sjaak presented a beautiful collection in warm, rich shades like amber and aubergine.

He showed perfectly tailored pants, shirts and jackets. There were gorgeous woolen winter coats and perfect felt hats. Sjaak even designed some underwear (including a few strings!) worn by eight dancers who made the show extra special.

It’s been five years since Sjaak showed his work during Amsterdam Fashion Week and we’re very glad he is back!

Sjaak Hullekes Backstage AFW FW2012

Take a look backstage at Sjaak Hullekes, who’s show was part of the openings night of Amsterdam Fashion Week. Models get pampered and ready for the show.

 

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