Milan...Men's Collections Spring 2010!

In spite of the fact Spring 2010 is a bit far off, Fashion Designers trotted off to Milan recently to unveil their collections for men on runways that breathed new life into male animal chic.

As a kaleidoscope pulsated passionately in the background, Etro's confident macho male models strutted out in lively pant-and-shirt ensembles etched with wild Hawaiian prints, vivid paisleys, and - on occasion - streaks and splashes of pure unadulterated color sure to appeal to the peacock of the species.

Meanwhile, Roberto Cavalli was inclined to butch up his collection military-style, with the emphasis on male machismo.

Elaborate epaulets and toggles on wide-shouldered jackets effectively pumped up the upper torso to create a flattering virile silhouette.

Subtle industrial hardware flourishes beefed up the "studly" image, too.

In contrast, Marc Jacobs wowed adventurous coming-of-age style-magnet males with lipstick-kiss motifs on blousey shirts, a bevy of shorts prone to rise and fall all over a muscled leg (pleated, on occasion, sometimes not).


Street-smark Jacobs was wise to turn-out a bevy of biker jackets of all practical and fanciful persuasion (kinky, beefy, streetwise) sure to be winners in the mainstream.

Hollywood types - Depp, Pitt, and Pattinson, for starters - may be inspired to pluck up Jacob's quirky elongated Tuxedo on a fashion whim.

Come Spring (probably sooner), flaunting fashion-conscious dudes and a show-off gym bunny or two will undoubtedly snap up a gauzy (see thru) muscle shirt with armholes down to the waist that casually tease potential suitors when exposing a pumped-up pec or two.

Salvatore Ferragamo, one of my favorite chi-chi designers, trotted out chic suits with a big spotlight on subtle Italian tailoring and styling.

Slim double-breasted suits in fine wool or cotton gabardine will be all the rage when the first flower buds longingly strain for innocent spring skies that herald new prospects for the coming year.

Two-tone shoes, built on simple two-lace tie-up structures, made a welcome entry, too.

Ferre didn't surprise much, instead preferring to stray along mostly-familiar fashion territory with signature design flourishes that have been big sellers for that powerhouse in the past.

The stylish man-about-town may go broke over stand-out stand-alone (entree) pieces enriched with gold embroidery (still a fashion rage and revving up on T-shirts and designer jeans) or tooled in sexed-up body-hugging butter-soft leather.

Sleeveless shirts (tailored in all the right places) may entice a muscled chevron (or bicep) to flex a bit for show when a man's on the prowl.

Some uppity fashion editors did not warm up to Alexander McQueen's vision for Spring.

Just maybe, it was because naughty Alex elected to go a bit cerebral in Milan that week.

Instead of flaunting his collection on stage - so that the keen eyes of the critical fashion press could feast upon the offerings in a practical context on the runway as crafted fabric shells shaped and molded to flow in harmony with body parts and flesh - McQueen elected to present an esoteric video of an emotionally-charged artist smearing clay on walls.

McQueen's jumping-off point when under the fashion gun?

The slightly-balmy designer's off-the-wall presentation of the collection consisting mainly of suits and work wear daubed with paint - strung out on (yawn) plain old racks - underscored that it might be so.

I found the novelty fashion statements - decorated with line drawings, abstract prints, and patchworks - were bang on in view of the trends making leaps and bounds in pop culture circles this past year.

The so-called "lived-in-look" critics have turned a blind eye to - merely signal that the male of the species is becoming more comfortable in his skin - real or imagined.

The most whimsical offerings were out of "Costume National" labelled a collection for "Travelers & Curious Explorers".

Ennio Cpasa featured drop-crotch pants (great for hiking jaunts in France , n'est-ce pas?), ensemble pieces with rough edges to toughen up the image, and macho army boots to anchor any of the fashion fantasies about to take flight.

One design adventure - a cropped satin jacket with floral embroideries - hinted at a romantically-inspired trend to surface next year as the economy picks up, the recession is turned back, and the pleasure principle rails the day on the American fashion front once again.

Can't wait!

Armani cycle hunk trunks

Salvatore Ferragamo individual elegant style

http://www.julianayrs.com

Christmas...gift idea!

4C Magazine


Well, occasionally, you get stumped.

The clock is ticking away in the countdown to Christmas, but a gift idea for a special friend or business associate, has eluded you.

Why not a magazine subscription with a little pizazz to it?

Although many of the major dailies are whining that circulation is down, a bevy of slick, glossy magazines worthy of anyone's coffee table, are taking off.

Any one of the following offerings are unique stocking stuffers.




Visionaire 52 was launched in 1991 and is considered the crème de la crème of the magazine set.

The periodical focuses on emerging and established artists, personalities, and designers worldwide, with a notable difference; each issue explores a different format and is published in a numbered limited edition of no more than 6,000 copies (three times a year).

The upcoming edition, with a monogrammed gold case, features a collaboration with Louis Vuitton and designer Marc Jacobs.

On this occasion, the subscribers will be treated to dazzling celebrity portraits of Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Stella McCartney, and Marc Jacobs himself. A hot item; in fact, Visionaire has become a bit of a collector's item over time. In the past, individual editions have sold for upwards of $5000 a piece to discerning collectors.

On the other hand, S Magazine is a worthwhile choice as well, in a lower price range.

The magazine was started up by a group of artists in 2004, who were discontent with the art world and its restrictions. To combat their malaise, the visionary group launched S to provide an outlet for creative types to act out in uninhibited fashion between its aesthetic pages. If anything, S celebrates diversity, decadence, and the human form with an artistic flare - and exalts each with a unique touch in the process.

For instance, every issue has an avant-garde seductive quality, with a differing theme. In the past, S has focused their keen eye on "Memories", "Diversity", and "Play". The bi-annual publication is in growing demand worldwide.

Veneer, the third offering, is often referred to as a sort-of brain simulation.


The leading-edge magazine offers a vehicle for masters of photography to explain "the depth of their fascination and wonder", according to one critic. The project is somewhat unique in that founder Flint Jamison is creating a collection of books featuring eighteen issues, all inclusive, and published over the next four and- a-half years - to be read collectively or individually.

Each issue relates to the next and produced in its own unique style.

The initial issue debuts with an edition of 300 (with 700 copies to be sold online thereafter, and in art galleries, bookstores, and libraries as copies last) and features George Kuchar's essay - "French Fried".

"The Singularity is always near" - by Wired founding Executive Editor/Cool Tools publisher Kevin Kelly - is also included in what amounts to be a much-anticipated edition.

Word is that the inaugural issue will be unveiled in Portland at a "happening" - gong-style - with a heavy emphasis on paintball.

4C is a "feast for the eyes" and is quite provocative at times.

Custom published by Emin Consulting, the slick mag blurs the lines between art, design, travel, fashion, and beauty. The Editors promise to parse colors each issue from distinct perspectives. The start-up issue, for example, probes vibrant lighting, color theory, Belgium's impact on archictecture and fashion, and casts an insightful eye on leading designer, Karim Rashid.

Each issue is intended to be a coffee-table or shelf piece and is printed in limited editions of 2000; each conceived by an iconic artist in a particular creative realm.

Yves Behar's first issue folds into an easel, is housed in platic case, and coated in one of a hundred colors to choose from. (photo above)

Fabulous, dahling!

Merry Christmas