Francisco van Benthum Catwalk Fashion Show SS2011

This spring Francisco van Benthum announced he was going to start two extra clothing lines, one casual ‘FVB’ and one chic ‘Van Benthum’. Of course his main line ‘Francisco van Benthum’ stays. In fact this week he showed his latest spring/summer collection of that line in Paris.

The collection started with some completely white outfits. Loose pants with fully buttoned blouses and sleeveless tops that felt kind of sporty. Then some grey coats were added, all with a different shape, but still with a sporty touch.

The models walked on sandals, colored white, grey and yellow. And though it’s a fashion no-go, they did wear socks in them.

The second half of the show the yellow, grey and white were replaced by some beige, green and black. Francisco took some risks by combining sleeveless tops with small waistbelts and ties. He also introduced a red striped (beach-chair?!) print.

Altogether the collection was a modern mix of sporty/casual outfits. And as always it was clear Francisco had been experimenting a lot with volume and proportions. We’re not so sure if the men-waistbelt will become such a huge hit, but everything else looked quite wearable. Plus, our men don’t have to hit the gym for next summer. ‘Cause with all those loose-fitting designs you’ll hardly see that extra five kilos.

DSquared Catwalk Fashion Show SS2011

This time twin-brothers Dean and Dan Caten took the movie American Gigolo as their inspiration for the spring summer 2011 collection. It’s an ambitious choice, since the suits Richard Gere wore in the move were designed by Giorgio Armani. But the collection wasn’t about the look of Gere, it was about the luxurious lifestyle these guys lead and their attitude.

So the model looked tanned, handsome, in great shape and were dressed in tight trousers and unbuttoned shirts. The once ultra ultra low DSquared-jeans appeared with high waist and a flare – so that means you will have to get rid of that belly, boys. Jeans were mixed with (shiny) shirts, blue was the main color besides bright colors like red and green.

The overall look was rather dressed with a casual feel like we’ve seen before this week in Milan.

Streetfashion Milan Menswear SS2011 Day 4

What are you wearing during the coming fashionweeks? Your Givenchy-slippers, your latest Comme des Garcons-bermuda or that vintage Prada? Maybe we’ll spot you in Paris, Milan, New York or Amsterdam. During the fashionweeks we refresh our streetwear posts regularly. We don’t judge, we’re not the fashion-police, we just enjoy fashion and your own personal style. Next stop: menswear fashionweek in Milan.

Giorgio Armani Catwalk Fashion Show SS2011

If someone would have said Armani showed his pre-fall collection today, we would have believed that person. The summer inspiration was hard to find in the Giorgio Armani show. Almost every look existed of a pair of long pants and a jacket. No shorts, no Tees, no airy fabrics.

Besides Giorgio chose to use very dark colors like deep blue and black, only once in a while alternated by a hint of light gray, green or yellow. No summery prints or colorful excesses, just one or two stripes and checks. Many of the models did wear sunglasses (with circular and yellow glasses) but that was not enough to give us a feeling of summer.

Jackets really were the hot item of the collection, double breasted, waisted, more sportive, leather and linen. They had striking buttons and sometimes a handkerchief popped out of the front pocket.

Another item Giorgio introduced was the waistcoat. Maybe that was the reason he invited Ricky Martin to the show. Waistcoats and tight Tees have become this singer’s signature throughout the years.

The Armani models all walked with their hands in their casual trousers. The loose pleated trousers didn’t look spectacular, yet seemed very comfy.

And that’s exactly how we would describe this Giorgio Armani collection. As a good mix of comfortable, wearable clothes with some amazing well-tailored jackets. It’s just that for summer we would have loved to see a little bit more light colors.

Roberto Cavalli Catwalk Fashion Show SS2011

Three ninjas dressed in black dramatically lit a big Olympic Flame at the courtyard of the Palazzo del Senato’s courtyard – it marked the start of the Roberto Cavalli show but also the celebration of his 40th anniversary.

Instead of digging into his heritage of rich hippie westcoast rock-dandy dressing a la Lenny Kravitz (those were the most interesting and exciting collections of Cavalli) the designer got stuck in black/white/blue suits mixed with animalprints at shirts and kerchiefs. Wild were the pants and shirts with big flowerprints Cavalli saw in Indonesia – but somehow it all looked too uninspired and a bit hurried. It’s a pity, because men’s fashion can use some spicy stuff.

Streetfashion Milan Menswear SS2011 Day 3

What are you wearing during the coming fashionweeks? Your Givenchy-slippers, your latest Comme des Garcons-bermuda or that vintage Prada? Maybe we’ll spot you in Paris, Milan, New York or Amsterdam. During the fashionweeks we refresh our streetwear posts regularly. We don’t judge, we’re not the fashion-police, we just enjoy fashion and your own personal style. Next stop: menswear fashionweek in Milan.

Pringle of Scotland Catwalk Fashion Show SS2011

New Wave seems a trend this Milan Fashion Week. After two soundtracks of Talking Heads, today the British rock band Franz Ferdinand was playing at the Pringle show. Alex Kapranos and Nick McCartney were present to play an acoustic set.

Yet there was a second reason why the boys were at the Pringle show. They appeared to both have designed a piece of knitwear for the label. The singer and the guitarist were among several Scottish artist who’d designed a limited edition design for the 195^th anniversary of Pringle.

McCarthy’s sweater was named Sign for Strength and had the artist’s handwriting on it. Kapranos named his design The Execution of the perfect swing and replaced Pringle’s logo by a golfer swinging on a gallows. They didn’t wear their creations themselves today.

Apart from the limited edition sweaters the rest of the very small collection (of 16 pieces) had more good knitwear pieces in it. The woollen cardigans will be too hot for summer. Yet the almost transparent knitted tops will do just fine.

Furthermore we saw stiff shirts, bright blue coats and the brand’s signature (the Argyle pattern) in a top. It was not really a full collection. Sixteen looks is a bit thin and we actually thought the show was rather boring.

Etro Catwalk Fashion Show SS2011

The male models at Etro were right to wear a big smile on the catwalk: the new collection looked marvellous, the guys sexy and confident.

Every outfit felt right. First the paisley shorts and the transparent shirt, then the body-fit suit, the checked trenchcoat, the neat pants, the paisley-printed Tees and the V-neck sweaters. All shown in a beautiful soft color palette of white, grey, pink, olive green, beige, sand and a splash of yellow towards the end. It formed a nice contrast with the bright green of the turf the models walked on.

The paisley prints gave this collection a nice edge. We know a pair of paisley trousers will be a little too outspoken for some guys, yet the modern metro-man will definitely know how to work them. Just as he will love the new tie; small, with a straight bottom.

In fact, all details Kean Etro added to his looks were stunning: the bags, the leather belts and the handkerchiefs.

We’re sure this summer any woman would love her man to look like Etro’s models did today.

D&G Catwalk Fashion Show SS2011

It was a hypnotizing soundtrack at D&G’s ss2011-show. N.E.R.D.’s Hot ‘n Fun played in a loop while the models strolled along the field of fresh green grass all dressed up for a country picnic. It felt  like one of those hazy, lazy days.

The vibe reminded of the innocent fifties as seen in movies, with happy people, days full of sunshine and the picnic as the ultimate day-trip. Well, with the D&G-boys keeping you company it will definitely be an unforgettable experience!

Loose fitted khaki’s and Vichy-checks for shirts, polo’s, pants and espadrilles formed the most important part of the collection. Sleeves and legs were rolled up, bare feet were stuck in sandals or vintage sneakers. Some faded flowerprints popped up at jackets and polo’s. Colors looked like they were faded by the sunlight, there was just a hint of green, gray, red, blue and brown. The light colored tuxedo’s were simply striking, never knew yellow, blue and green could be so near white. It matched beautifully with the white shirts and pants.

The season’s T-shirt was decorated with a portrait of Johnny Depp as seen in Cry Baby and a painting by Edouard Manet, Le dejeuner sur l’erbe.

Gucci Catwalk Fashion Show SS2011

Oh, that Gucci playboy! I loved every outfit that he showed this morning. From his deep blue slim fitted suit to his suede shorts with cotton knit sweater. And of course that kerchief around his neck and those bare feet in the houses signature loafers. Frida Giannini sticks to what Gucci stands for: slick menswear with a slightly dangerous touch and shaggy seventies feeling.

It was simply a very commercial collection, but there is nothing wrong with the way Giannini does it. As long as is has that luxury, playboy feeling. The suits in midnight blue were chic and fresh, for those lazy summerdays there are shorts, silk shirts with a classic scarf-print, cotton knit cardigans and sweaters and a laid back tuxedo in chocolate-brown, dark-blue or green.

And all those clothes fit easily in the new big Gucci-bag.

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