Rick Owens Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2013
All the right ingredients for the perfect Rick Owens cake were in the mix today. His signature black and white color palette, his sleeveless tops, the use of leather, the belted jackets and the long tops. But we were surprised too. By the models big hair to begin with, not to mention their snow proof Ugg like boots. Those tank tops will need a few extra layers, yet the big collars, the hoodies and the oversized gloves will keep the toned Rick Owens man warm all throughout next winter.
Valentino Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2013
At Valentino we were surprised by a perfect mix of British style and Italian craftmanship. Suits, with houndstooth and Tartan checks, were given a modern touch by pieces of leather and a tight fit. Models looked their best in fashionable pieces like a checked cape, a camel coat with fur detailing and a sportive army printed parka. Next to the perfectly cut leather jackets, the slick pleated pants and business chic loafers, colored classes and casual briefcases all breathed modern luxury.
Walter van Beirendonck Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2013
We’e not sure how the male models felt afterwards, but the van Beirendonck show sure put us in a good mood. The Belgium designer showed some pretty street chic on trend quilted pants, followed by black leather, busy printed, XXL and argyle ones. And it was not just those pants that made us smile. Walter created suit jackets, vests and knitted sweater in the same style. All very colorful with a shiny disco twist. Checked bathrobe like coats got metallic fringes as extra eye catchers; the same kind of colored metallic that was used for the shoes, mouth and earpieces. A theatrical collection like you could expect from a Opéra Garnier costume designer.
Mugler Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2013
Future meets wintersport; at Mugler tough looking men wearing full on winter gear introduced us to next year’s fashion. Their black and army green looks mixed with leather gloves seemed like obvious futuristic ensembles. While neon pink, bright blue and green neoprene bodysuits with strong shoulders felt right for any kind of snowy destination. If those pants were just a little less shiny, those army jackets got more tailored and those models looked slightly less robot-like we could totally see these designs doing well next fall.
Raf Simons Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2013
Not distracted by his new job at Dior, Raf stayed true to his personal signature today by presenting an edgy yet playful selection of menswear looks. Sporting some crazy anime styled hair Simons’ men pulled off outspoken pieces like shiny satin pants, fully pattern vests and bright colored blouses with extremely pointy and askew (like the ones at Prada) collars. All the layering of the designs made the looks even more interesting. Turtle necks were worn with blouses, vests or sweaters, followed by suit jackets with horizontal bands in the front. Lots to like. And guess what? This season’s stripes are a Simons trend for next year too.
Calvin Klein Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2013
For fall Calvin Klein’s Italo Zucchelli brought a piece back to life that has been a fashion no-go for quite a few years. He reinvented the utility vest and reintroduced it quilted and with multiple pockets (which men should NOT use to actually put anything in). Models sported the vest combined with sweaters and even worn over suit jackets and woolen coats. Sweaters were given a sporty structured, slightly futuristic touch and were matched with pants in the same shade, from burgundy and grey to black and blue. Sober, sporty and success guaranteed.
Bottega Veneta Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2013
Monocolored looks seem to be the trend for come fall. At Bottega Veneta they sure understood that. Done in a selection of perfect winter shades perfectly cut double breasted suits followed each other on the catwalk.
Walking with their hands in their pockets Veneta’s guys looked confident and they sure had every reason for it. A clean cut hooded camel coat looked swell, a retro color block sweater was both cosy and cool while a purple shaded leather suit provided just the right amount of edge to the collection. All good ensembles for a walk in the park, a family dinner or any business get together. But of course we already knew Bottega Veneta was capable of creating that.
Salvatore Ferragamo Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2013
Salvatore Ferragamo today appeared to be an almost completely navy blue collection. Yet there were more shades to discover in the New York by night lit runway (Ferragamo is always a treat colorwise) like grape, midnight blue, English violet, dark cyan and, naturally, black. Models were well dressed and streetwise sporting cool, winter proof designs. Like perfectly tailored pants, chunky sweaters and woolen coats with extraordinary collars that had leather linings. We can not come up with any weather condition the Ferragamo man is not prepared for come fall. Let’s just hope winter won’t be too soft, so our men can actually wear those amazing textured designs.
John Varvatos Menswear catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2013
It seems any man will be able to find something Varvatos to add to his wardrobe coming fall. The designer presented a perfect mix of cool, young, street and gentlemanlike, dandy, chic. Three-piece suits for the office and skinny jeans worn with biker jackets for a cool outdoor concert. Yet no matter how versatile the looks were, they all got a Varvatos topping in the form of handkerchiefs (tied around the models’ necks), small mirrored sunglasses, fingerless gloves, felt hats and lace up boots. If it’s up to John velvet suits are a hit for 2013 and colorwise burgundy is still a popular option.
Versace Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2013
For fall Donatella is letting her men shine, big time. Every single look she sent out on the runway today was eye-catching, jaw dropping and head turning to the max. Just how Donatella intended it, as the show notes read: “Big is beautiful. The look is pumped. This is the maximization of luxury.”
Fully checked suits might have been the subtlest looks of the bunch, followed by larger than life zebra and giraffe prints. There was a colorful handmade paint print too, mostly used on the full on denim looks.
While bomber and biker jackets were shorts and fitted, overcoats in fur and camel were oversize. And if you thought all that heavy shiny leather and hairy fur might be a little too extreme for our soft winters; Donatella added a few more airy looks to her collection too. Like sheer embroidered bodysuits with lace details and the baroque Versace swirls worn with black tuxedo jackets.
There was a lot of over the top most women probably wouldn’t dress their men in. But perhaps the designs that end up in stores will be more wearable or Donatella is just aiming at a different type of men for next season.
