Paris Menswear

In all, the Paris Menswear shows didn't excite me as much as that shown in Milan. Despite a schedule of some of my favourite designers (Viktor & Rolf, Raf Simons..), the overall feel was sombre, if not dull. You only need to compare Viktor & Rolf's Menswear to its fantastical Womenswear to see what I mean.

There were a few shimmering gems, however, amongst the grey and suiting...

Comme des Garcons

Look 4; peeking colour. Look 9; layered band tees and pinstripes. Look 17; cuffed balloon trousers.

Lanvin

Look 9; could-be-a-woman. Look 16; texture. Look 21; stained-berry-lips colour. Look 32; volume.

Raf Simons

Look 5; long-line knit. Look 12; softened shoulders. Look 22; graphic S&M.

Viktor and Rolf

Look 12; funnel neck. Look 17; untucked. Look 20; layers upon layers of wool. Look 33; trompe d'oeil peplum

Already from Milan, and now Paris, strong Menswear trends for Autumn/Winter 2011 are emerging and recuring through various high-profile collections. Most commercially viable is the untucked shirts seen at Bottega Veneta, Viktor and Rolf, and Comme des Garcons. I'd love to see those loose, almost Palazzo, trousers from Lanvin, Comme DG and Dior (not shown in this post) filter down too. Yet, like those stabs in the dark by various designers at a mens skirt, I don't believe there will ever be a moment for truely feminised menswear. Despite its beauty.

Much I-Want-A-Parisian-Man Love, Tasha X

Milan Menswear

I intended to do posts on Milan Menswear Fashion Week day by day, as opposed to one large post, but time evaded me. With Paris Menswear Fashion Week beginning tomorrow I thought I best get on with it!

So. Here are my fave looks from Milan, in no particular order. The 'statement' looks rarely interest me (note a lack of Burberry's big coats) but rather I find myself captivated by the tiny details: a uniquely tied scarf at Burberry, un-tucked shirts at Bottega Veneta, and low belt-loops at Viv Westwood...

PradaLook 4; breeches. Look 9; fab bag. Look 21; suede. Look 28; LUREX.


Vivienne Westwood

Look 2; Chuck Bass? Look 14; oddly low belt-loops. Look 31; cosy jacket. Look 44; tee.

Alexander McQueen

Look 3; WOW military. Look 16; belted suit overcoat. Look 21; colour. Look 27; magical McQueen print.

Jil Sander

Look 6; COLOUR. Look 15; COLOUR. Look 22; COLOUR. Look 31; fresh silhouette

D&G

Look 2; emerald. Look 21; sombreity in a fluoro collection. Look 32; orange. Look 49; fur+man=mmmm

Burberry Prorsum

Look 15; neck-scarf. Look 28; BAG. Look 29; shrunken jacket. Look 44; texture.

Bottega Veneta

Look 4; untucked shirt. Look 14; peekaboo colour. Look 23; opaque khaki.

There you have it. If all men in my life could pick a look, buy, and wear..? Much appreciated.

Much Milano Love, Tasha X

God Gave Us Dreams

It struck me a few days ago, whilst lying in bed, that I was 20 years old and I had yet to achieve anything truly spectacular. Others, predominently my mother, may argue against this, but I feel I haven't quite pushed myself to the limit. Around me 14 year old girls are models, 18 year olds are international pop stars, other 20 year olds are self made millionaires...

And thus it occured to me that I must go. Away. I must do something great, in my mind, to forge my path. Something totally apart from the countryside idyll I was born into. London is not enough, not yet.
New York is the plan. I will explore all avenues for placement there in my second year. And then...

Perhaps a case of too much Sex and the City and Gossip Girl, but in my heart New York seems to be IT.

Everyone needs dreams, mine are just bigger than others.

"God gives us dreams a size too big so that we can grow into them" - Carine Roitfield