Menswear — Page 24

Angelo Galasso Spring/Summer 2013

September 20, 2012 by admin 1 Comment

Angelo Galasso does more than create great suits for the international jetsetter. Angelo Galasso creates a lifestyle. And Galasso’s spring/summer 2013 collection encompasses the Galasso man’s raison d’etre.

Inspired by the Italian coastline, Angelo Galasso presents his guy as the international businessman who is luxuriously, but appropriately, dressed at every jointure of his day. From jetting from his private plane to his private yacht on the Italian coastline, Galasso’s guy is always the penultimate style icon and serves fashion as fashion serves his lifestyle.

With color palettes ranging from shades of light blue to navy with splashes of rose pink, yellow and green, Angelo Galasso demonstrates in this spring/summer collection that he not only embraces bold color, but color is a constant in his customer’s wardrobe. And Galasso fabric choices of linen and cotton with leather accents work really well for this collection.

Surprisingly, for spring/summer 2013 Galasso has expanded his brand to include a few pieces for women. Though the garments are mostly tailored trousers and suit jackets, the construction of the suits still expertly show off the feminine silhouette.

Angelo Galasso spring/summer 2013 images courtesy of Ernest Green

Angelo Galasso’s spring/summer 2013 collection demonstrates that luxury clothing doesn’t have to exist in the realm of opening night galas or red-carpet premieres. Luxury garments can be easy, comfortable, fashion forward, but still sophisticated.

—William S. Gooch

Nautica Spring/Summer 2013

September 17, 2012 by admin Leave a Comment

What can be said about Nautica. Every season Nautica presents a collection that stays very close to the brand’s signature look. There is very little variation on the theme of seaworthy, nautical references. And you would think that after several decades of the same linear approach, Nautica would have outlived this singular predilection. Not so!! Season after season, Nautica injects new energy and a fashion-forward sensibility that keeps the brand interesting and viable despite its penchant for all things nautical.

For spring/summer 2013, Nautica looked to the vibrant colors of the open seas. Several of this collection’s shorts were infused with underwater tropical prints and patterns and some of the detailing on shirts and jackets contained similar patterns.

Some of the standouts in the collection were a great white leather toggle coat and a color blocked white and blue shirt, paired with a bright white cotton/nylon pant. Also, by combining a black leather bomber with yellow cotton poplin cargo pants, Nautica proves that by incorporating the neon color trend into this spring/summer 2013 collection that they understand that though their demographic likes updated classic silhouettes, their consumer is also not afraid of strong color palettes.

Nautica spring/summer 2013 images courtesy of Ernest Green

By reinvigorating the classics with continuing trends of color blocking and bold, vibrant colors, Nautica never seems dated. And that is why consumers keep coming back for more!!

—William S. Gooch

General Idea Spring/Summer 2013

September 17, 2012 by admin

Photos courtesy of Ernest Green

General Idea’s Bumsuk Choi has taken traditional lumberjack attire and added some innovative flare for a wearable modern point of view for his 2013 spring/summer collection. Choi was inspired by the documentary film The Last Lumberjacks by Yu Guangyi, which describs the diminished work of real life lumberjacks in China due to the development of fast growing cities.

Channeling The Last Lumberjacks, Choi has employed a color palette that incorporates earth tomes of khaki and mustard with subtle splashes of neon. Many of the prints are outdoors inspired featuring camouflage and plaid.

Photos courtesy of Ernest Green

Silhouettes that are key to this collection give homage to the aesthetic of the documentary film, exploiting toughness and solitude. From leather bomber jackets to shorts with camouflage detail, many of the garments are ideal for the fashion-forward dude who wants to compliment his wardrobe with looks that are bit more aesthetically rugged.

Photos courtesy of Ernest Green

The grey long sleeve sweaters and beige collarless trench coat really express General Idea as a menswear brand that pushes the envelope in terms of edge but with still wearable clothes for the modern man. Key garments like the solid long sleeve tops, navy shorts, and denim jackets are basic pieces that transition well throughout the spring and summer seasons.

Photos courtesy of Ernest Green

General Idea gives men classic, modern looks that can be styled traditionally or in a variety of ways but still make a statement. Spring 2013 is all about keeping it simple but with innovative twists.

–Cory Orlando

Bespoken Spring/Summer 2013

September 17, 2012 by admin Leave a Comment

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week continues to bring out all the stops and though most of the menswear collections are shown off site, a few men’s brands, including Bespoken, were held in some of the venues that are a part of the Lincoln Center Plaza. For spring/summer 3013 Bespoken had an eclectic taste mixing eye-catching prints with bold colors along with a range of pieces to choose from including polish jackets, colorful pants, hipster hats, and preppy sweaters. Whether it’s going out on the town, meeting with friends for a casual night, or looking stylish in the office, this collection seemed to have a little something for the man with a flare for style.

“We were inspired by nomadic gypsies … we wanted to mix different styles and meet them work” explained designer Paulo Goncalves. The Bespoken design team, Paulo Goncalves, Liam and Sammy Fayed, wanted to provide their diverse fan base with garments that fit their diverse lifestyles and spoke to the attitude of the stylish man who wants a variety of styles and garments in his spring wardrobe. And the Bespoken team didn’t disappoint.

Bespoken spring/summer 2013 images courtesy of wwd.com

Whether you’re a smooth-talking guy with a rocker’s edge or a laid-back hipster with a preppy feel, Bespoken has something for every man who wants to be fashion forward.

—Dana E. Givens

Duckie Brown Spring/Summer 2013

September 13, 2012 by admin 1 Comment

Photo courtesy of Ernest Green

Slick, strong, structured. Duckie Brown brings youthful sportiness and heritage to their spring/summer 2013 collection. Designers Daniel Silver and Steven Cox stay true to the brandby incorporating raw denim and tartan patterns.

From bomber jackets to trousers with crisp cuffs, Duckie Brown has been on the forefront of making menswear fashion-forward and progressive. The traditional Scottish tartan was sprinkled throughout the collection in both separates and full-body looks.

Photo courtesy of Ernest Green

In this collection, Brown combine pastels and neutrals with geometrical-patterned jackets. All looks had lots of detail and were flawlessly constructed. The newest addition to the brand were the draped pants concept which is a departure from Duckie Brown’s fall 2012 collection which featured loosely layered ensembles.

Photo courtesy of Ernest Green

Versatile separates are ideal for comfort and durability, while the workwear-inspired garments are a must have for spring 2013. The neutral tone yet simple silhouette of many of the motorcycle jackets are ideal for the consumer who wants more items that can transition from spring to fall. What Duckie Brown has ingeniously done this collection is paired traditional menswear silhouettes with unconventional cuts, fabrications, and forms. And it all works!!

Photo courtesy of Ernest Green

Rounding out Duckie Brown’s spring/summer collection was raglan sleeve tee shirts and charcoal check linen cuff trousers. Duckie Brown, in collaboration with Florsheim, has designed a “skaddle” shoe, which is directly influenced by skateboarding.

– Cory Orlando

Nicholas K Spring/Summer 2013

September 11, 2012 by admin Leave a Comment

Nicholas K, for several seasons has presented collections that have incorporated loose-fitting unisex clothing, this season Nicholas K expanded their point of view to include garments that were a bit flattering to the feminine silhouette. Inspired by the 70s science fiction cult classic Soylent Green, Nicholas Kunz has developed a collection that reflects the type of clothing needed if the earth’s population had to cope with extreme global warming. Of course this point of view fits in nicely with the brands aesthetic of draped fabrics and easy, breathable loose clothing. Still, Nicholas K found a way in this collection to expand the brand without being too literal about global warming.

Though in Soylent Green the only green left on the earth is found in green plankton, Nicholas K found a way to incorporate a slither of the green trend in this outing. Starting with sand-colored silk ensembles and progressing to steel blue and to some great burnt oranges pieces, ending with a final morsel of pale green, Nicholas K, though staying true to the aesthetic of slouchy, loose-fitting attire, found a way to tailor many of the pieces so that a wider female demographic would be attracted to this particular collection, while still holding on to its tried-and-true fans.

Though the men’s shape and silhouette did not change much from the spring/summer 2012 outing, for men this collection is still fresh, easy and fashion forward.

—William S. Gooch

Nicholas K spring/summer 2013 images courtesy of style.com

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim: A.Z. Araujo and Naila Swim 2013

July 31, 2012 by admin 2 Comments

AZ Araujo images courtesy of zimbio.com

Thousands of fashionistas, press and buyers traveled to Miami to peep the 2013 swimwear trends at Mercedes Benz Swim Fashion Week. This year, bright colors continued to rule the runway as models strutted down the catwalk wearing “kinis” with ingenious patterns, bright pastels, neon and animal prints. It wasn’t until the last day, when the NAÏLA COLLECTION and AZ Araujo Official included swimwear for guys in the eye-grabbing colors of pale red, yellow, blue, white and tropical floral designs.

AZ Araujo images courtesy of zimbio.com

The AZ Araujo Collection opened with a full figure model dressed like Carmen Miranda (including her signature, fruit hat!). Not surprising—given its unorthodox opening—the AZ Araujo show was not your run-of-the-mill runway show. AZ Araujo‘s craftsmanship with colorful prints definitely captured the succulent fruits on the Carmen Miranda‒like hat. For men, there were tailored shorts and speedos in every imaginable bright color, as well as looks with a white background and floral prints. Araujo was inspired by the beach, nature and tropical island theme, which also brought to mind Brazilian themes of the Amazon and Carnival! Araujo also encrusted the women’s swimsuit with Swarovski crystals, adding that extra sparkle and glimmer. To end the show, AZ Araujo appeared with his own “stars,” holding the hand of The Real Housewives of Miami’s Adriana De Moura and Brazilian actress Priscilla Marinho of Globo TV soap opera’s Aquele Beijo.

The finale of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim included four designers. Of the four, Naila focused on men’s swimwear. Naila showcased stylish men’s swimwear in classic silhouettes in shorts light blue, pink and lime green palette. The woman’s collection included vibrant colors, and the style was very playful with a sexy edge. From bronze monokinis with shiny snake skin patterns, lime greens, blues enhanced with beach cover ups in beige, patterned with leaves in bright colors.

Naila images courtesy of zimbio.com

Naila presented her collection in some interesting pairings. One couple included a mother and son walking the runway hand-in-hand. It was a lovely change of pace to view a collection with something for everyone. The show ended with male and female models walking down the runway as bride and groom. The “groom” was wearing a black tuxedo, with swim shorts piped with white ribbon and the bride wore a cut-out black monokini, with a little veil on her face and white lace fingerless gloves. Perfect for a destination wedding on the beach!

—Olga Maria Czarkowski

Robert Graham Fall/Winter 2012

March 6, 2012 by admin Leave a Comment

If there was one predominant theme evidenced in the men’s fall/winter collection, that theme would be lots of color. Though Robert Graham fall/winter collection debuted a week before Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Graham was on trend with a kaleidoscope of autumnal colors. Though this collection contained a few women’s look, in this outing Robert Graham concentrated primarily on his menswear.

From great denim pieces to the eclectic mix of well-tailored jackets and outerwear, Graham’s mien centers around comfortable, stylish garments that wide variety of American men would want to wear. And Graham’s fashion-forward shoe wear in this collection—Graham’s first collection—complemented the very masculine silhouettes.

There were no big wow moments in this small collection; still, Graham should be commended for understanding how many American want to look from head to toe. Lastly, Graham’s point of view of how to mix and match textures and blend color palettes is in its own way a stroke of genius.