Paul Smith Spring/Summer 2011 ‘Cosmic Rock’

Paul Smith menswear for Spring Summer 2011, ‘Cosmic Rock’ is a detailed, directional collection that references the beginning of Paul’s design career in the late 60’s/early ‘70’s and the inspiration he felt during this brave new rock era, watching musicians Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix mix new clothes with vintage.

The elements that excited Paul most from this era; surreal galaxy prints, occult signs, batik, military costumes and vibrant cosmic inspired colours have been translated to create looks in new relaxed silhouettes using modern fabrics.

The silhouette contrasts oversize volume with skinny pieces, designed to be worn in a relaxed draping style; an upside down lapel tailored jacket paired with a shirt with tie collar and patchwork jeans, a cardigan style tailored jacket over a jersey teamed with military parachute trousers and a pleated sleeve tailored jacket contrasted with a slim trouser.

In contrast to previous summer collections of lighter fresher pastels, the colours palettes this season are rich and dark, with four groups dominating; purples, magentas, indigos and silvery tones.

See the entire collection here.

Photo & slideshow s/s 2011 collection “Cosmic Rock,” Copyright Paul Smith.

Category › griffe , Paul Smith , press release , UK designers

Paul Smith Autumn/Winter 2010

Paul Smith menswear for Autumn Winter 2010 is an elegant, detailed collection that references the modern bohemian gentlemen inspired by Venice and Warren Ellis from the band ‘Bad Seeds’.

The neat, short and refined pieces of the collection are contrasted with oversized shapes and sportswear detailing.

Double breasted overcoats, soft capes and full length parkas are combined with tapered pleated trousers to maintain the soft silhouette.

The colour palette is dark with five groups dominating; purple, red, teak, Prussian blue and aubergine.

Fabrics are sleek and opulent made from rare fibres; camel, Alpaca, mohair and Angora alongside cashmere and silk to achieve a relaxed, lightweight and draped shape.

Check out the entire collection here.

Photo & slideshow a/w 2010 collection Copyright Paul Smith.

Category › griffe , Paul Smith , press release , UK designers

Paul Smith: the Man, the Designer

Paul Smith was born 1946 in Beeston, Nottinghamshire. At the age of 16, he began working in a clothing warehouse, even though his true passion was cycling, which he had to abandon due to an accident the following year.

Through the acquaintance of new friends that he met while in hospital, Paul was drawn to the exciting world of fashion.

After having acquired some experience in retailing and training in tailoring, Paul showed his first menswear collection in Paris, in 1976.

Today, the Paul Smith label entails 12 collections, which project a balance of humor and mischief, supported by a long British tradition of the classics.

Photo Copyright Paul Smith.

Category › griffe , Paul Smith , UK designers

Menswear Runway Call-Outs: Spring/Summer 2011

While this summer has yet to wind down, next spring and summer still seem to be a far way off. Nevertheless, I can never pass up a good trend analysis!

The following synopsis of the Runway Call-Outs for spring/summer 2011 was prepared by Trendstop, showing the forward-looking guy what is on the horizon.

Runway Report Menswear:
The necessary contrast to the colorful exuberance of Jil Sander and Prada, designers update classic menswear pieces for Spring Summer 2011. Casual garments are rendered with a surprisingly smart twist, whilst the smart are reinvigorated in technical fabrications; aiding in the creation of a thoroughly contemporary wardrobe that is suitable for more than one purpose. Loose and slouchy silhouettes dominate, culminating in low-cut tanks and long-line tunic shirts that promote a dressed-down aesthetic, perfect for summertime dressing.

Pared Down Bomber
The Nineties staple comes with pared down detailing, a clean and functional minimalism ideal for the Spring to Summer transition. Explore the potential of technical performance fabrics, or add contrast zips and asymmetric fastenings, as exemplified by Raf Simons and Gaspard Yurkievich.

Officer Jacket Update
The influence of the military inspires a reworking of the office jacket. Nylon finishes promote a casual stance, or opt for a formal conceit with gold buttons and braiding, or a cutaway front, as seen at Burberry Prorsum. White and natural color palettes introduce a safari aesthetic.

Slash Neck Knit
Layer over formal shirting to the archetypal office wear, or wear under a blazer and waistcoat. Contrasting or coordinating color palettes place emphasis on the new knitwear shape.

Tunic Shirt
Menswear is imbued with a subtle womenswear twist, as designers borrow from ethnic inspired attire. Longline shirts and tunics are belted with simple ties and belts that reiterate an alternative summer cool.

Low Cut Tank
Promote an easy-wear, effortless summer style with slouchy vest tops. Scooped necks and low cut armholes create the required insouciance, manipulated and crumpled finishes strengthen the overall conceit.
Formal Bermuda Short
The casual Bermuda is updated for the season in smart cotton fabrications. A loose and roomy shape extends to just above the knee, and can we adapted for printed and plain finishes. Best worn with sandals.

Caramel Leather Man Bag
Luxe caramel tones are applied to leather holdalls, backpacks and satchels, enhancing the appeal of the ubiquitous man-bag. Enhancing a well-dressed, gentleman-like apparel, caramel leather is a summer staple for the style conscious man about town.

Basket Weave Lace Up
Reinvigorating the pastoral cliche, basket-weave details inspire a new take on the masculine lace-up shoe. Polished leathers create an air of distinct refinement, whilst straw like and cotton weaves update shabby chic for a new season.

Luxe Loafer
The humble loafer is elevated to a fashion must-have by numerous designers. Suede uppers are detailed with kiltie fringing at Les Hommes, the same feature appearing on leather loafers at Etro. Detailed embossing and silver additions further promote the luxe conceit.

Photos & text presented on Infomat, Courtesy of Trendstop, Used with Permission.

Category › griffe , Infomat , trends colors , trends fabrics , trends styles , Trendstop

Bershka “Shooting Stars” in Autumn/Winter 2010

If you live in one of the 47 countries of the massive chain of stores, you may be familiar with Bershka, which belongs to the Inditex Group, owner of Zara.

Founded 1998 in Spain, Bershka is a concept store that appeals largely to a young target market.

For autumn/winter 2010, Bershka douses us with lots of splashing colors in plaids, tees, sweaters, and trendy jackets.

Enjoy the video!

Photos Copyright Bershka.

Category › Bershka , griffe , Spanish designers

WORLD—the New Line of Casual-Chic Shoes by Ferragamo

Acumen Fund will receive a percentage of the sales from the new line of bio-friendly shoes, which was presented at Milan Fashion Week.

The world of Salvatore Ferragamo—the aesthetic and stylistic vision and the sensitivity in promoting a distinct lifestyle that is harmonious, sustainable, respectful of the environment, and socially responsible—is summed up in Ferragamo WORLD.

The line inaugurates a partnership with the non-profit Acumen Fund, which engages in the fight against world poverty in Asia and Africa and to which Salvatore Ferragamo will contribute a percentage of the sales from Ferragamo WORLD.

Ferragamo WORLD, the new line of 2011 spring/summer shoes presented at Milan Fashion Week, is a merger between modernity and the values represented by the brand: a collection of shoes characterized by a casual, sophisticated, and functional mood that bears the Ferragamo tradition in a search for style and comfortable structures.

Ferragamo WORLD incarnates the environmental and social sensitivity that is ever expanding in the world today. It was conceived for an active and dynamic public that applies its attitude of social awareness in all aspects of its purchasing behavior, seeing Ferragamo shoes not only as an accessory of style and extreme quality but also as a product that is representative of its own coherent values.

“Italian City Casual” is the expression that synthesizes the spirit of Ferragamo WORLD: a casual product searching for the urban lifestyle, which is inspired by the Italian way of life that is traditionally evoked by the relaxation of open spaces; by long walks in the city; by the use of the bicycle as the means of sustainable urban transportation; by the care for detail; and by a comfortable, portable elegance.

Photos & Text Copyright Ferragamo.

Category › accessories , Ferragamo , griffe , Italian designers , press release , shoes , social responsibility

Happy 100th to Ermenegildo Zegna!

Pressed, ironed, and no wrinkles—we all wish we could look like Zegna at 100!—Ermenegildo Zegna celebrates 100 years of history at the Museo della Triennale in Milan.

The festive event unfolded into 2 shows: the casual Z Zegna line and the relaxed but classic Ermenegildo Zegna label.

The year was 1910 and Ermenegildo, the last of 10 children, was just 18 years old when he took over his father’s little wool factory in Trivero.

Situated in the Province of Biella of the Piedmont Region, Trivero had played a vital role in history for the production of wool, owing to the purity of water.

The factory rose quickly to fame for high quality wool suits, outshining local contemporaries and surpassing British rivals.

Although Ermenegildo died in 1996 at the age of 74, his two sons Aldo and Angelo took the reins, opening numerous plants for production.

Angelo, his youngest son, remembers his father as “an ecologist long before the term even existed!"

Tanti Auguri, Zegna!

Photos Courtesy Fashion Times, Copyright Ermenegildo Zegna.

Category › Ermenegildo Zegna , griffe , Italian designers

DSQUARED² Spring/Summer 2010 Goes Live!

Last week I posted several articles on DSQUARED², an avantguarde label from Canada that has spread quickly around the world.

Meanwhile, a video of the DSQUARED² Spring/Summer 2010 collection has just gone live!

Inspired by the thriller film “American Gigolò,” the collection presents a sexy range of exquisite taste in men’s clothing.

Rather than allowing today’s gentleman to fall into a frumpy, degenerate state like the protagonist in the 1980 film, DSQUARED² redeems his honor and without an alibi!

Video Copyright DSQUARED².

Photo Copyright DSQUARED², Courtesy Fashion Times.

Category › Canadian designers , Dan Caten , Dean Caten , DSQUARED² , film , griffe

Cristiano Ronaldo Reconfirmed as Spokes Model for Armani

Giorgio Armani has reconfirmed that Portuguese footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, will be official world spokes model for Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans autumn/winter 2010.

The soccer player strips down and bears a naked six-pack abs in the campaign ads.
Cristiano, born 1985 as Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, is from Santo António of Madeira, Portugal.

Awarded several times as “World Player of the Year,” Cristiano plays forward for the Spanish club Real Madrid and is the highest paid footballer in the world.

Vamos Portugal! Hurra Madrid! Forza Armani! Go Cristiano!

Photos Courtesy of Fashion Times.

Category › accessories , Armani , football , griffe , soccer , sports , Underwear