Over the last few years, fashion has seen the demand of the Middle East market. Be it in terms of spending power or the power they have on oil prices which affect economies. Fashion has had to appreciate this power and acclimatise itself to it. Acclimatisation, the ability of one to adapt to the surrounding environment, was the essence of the Versace menswear collection. It tells a story of a foreign Legionnaire lost in the desert, dressed in his military attire, but soon having to adjust his wardrobe to what the tribesmen of the desert are wearing. In the desert, clothing is light and airy; and Plokhov seems to have taken note of that with this collection. Fabrics were loose, made out of silk and gauze. Here the colour palette was brown, beige, white and cream. The collection fused the military with Morroco, with double breasted jackets and a silk djellaba hanging out over a pair of silk trousers. The “new” shirt was not tucked in making the silhouette seem unregimented and lax. Detailing on the jackets was unconventional, due to straps and rings. Leather was used for wrapping fanny packs, belts and jackets. And in the desert the Versace man is lost in, alligators were nearby, as they were stripped into jackets, inspiration on t-shirts and swimming trunks. Man-clutches were also the accessory of the day, but here in square toilet bag shape and calfskin leather. Plokhov seems to have followed the book on the desert theme, as shoes were vanilla and white suede desert boots. This collection in all definitely speak to men who hate wearing shirts in summer and with the Versace shirt being loose and light, I think we may have a winner.
Despite the gloom of the recession, extravagance and sparkle are about to become a hit with men next summer. It seems adding sparkle and shine, maybe what we need to get over these trying times. In Milan, Domenico and Stefano are the catalysts of this shimmering movement with their Menswear collection. A collection strewn with embroidered blazers bejewelled with beads and rhinestones. Having a piece from this collection ensures making a statement with such crisp tailored suits. One thing Domenico and Stefano do well, is knowing how to dress a man and accentuate the male form. You had models clad in either black or white trunks showing off their chiselled physique. On the other hand a Savile Row gentlemen, in a sharp and clean cut blazer reminiscent of a flowing ying and yang pattern. While on the other hand, an urbanite dressed in slashed up jeans and a silk shirt. Maybe recession is on their mind with these jeans, in their use of less fabric. For accessories, D&G took clutches and placed them in a man hands- the man clutch. A relationship that seems to work with a touch of reptile skin. Even bath robes were jazzed up with beads and sequins, suggesting that one could look good while picking up the milk in the morning. Winter chunky knit jumpers were poked and dropped, allowing them to be light and airy, yet still warm enough for the summer night cold. Taking inspiration from their native province Sicily, it’s apparent this was a collection very close to home. The collection couldn’t look anymore like its designers, with such theatrical extravagance, each of these pieces seem to represent the spirit of Domenico and Stefano.The collection does however beg the question; with the masculinity of the silhouette are men ready to add glitter to their wardrobe, much like female counterparts?
"Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in"– Will Rogers
I watched the Louis Vuitton show from the comfort of my own room today online. I have to say the video transmission thing designers are doing is genius, it saves people like myself from embarrassing ourselves at Fashion weeks while we try to blag our way in. I have to be honest; I wasn’t in any way moved by the collection for 2010.
The only thing that made me drool is the bags.
I have to say Louis Vuitton by far have the best bags in the world. No wonder they always imitated. In this collection there were a myriad of bags from satchels, back packs, messenger bags, oversized fanny packs and duffel bags. There was lot of colour bleed and denim faded fabrics for the bags. I totally adore the colour bleed bags and the afro’s the models were rocking. Out of the collection my favourite clothing piece was a calf-skin-esque leather jacket with an oversized pocket at the front.
I skimmed this morning from the drinking trough
And held against the world of hoary grass.
It melted, and I let it fall and break.
Upon my way to sleep before it fell,
What form my dreaming was about to take.
Magnified apples appear and disappear,
And every fleck of russet showing clear. – Robert Frost
As the leaves fall from trees, indicating a change in season towards autumn. Many of us will be adjusting our wardrobes accordingly. With autumn, days are shorter and winter easily creeps up on us in a flash.
Burberry
Long sleeve wool double breasted coat (Prince Albert-esque), with wide lapels and horn buttons.
Staying warm, now becomes a main priority for many of us. Coats have often been a favourite for winter, due to their thickness and length. Insulation all around. But in the world of fashion you can’t just say coat, there are mackintoshes, peacoats, full length coats and trench coats to name a few. And which one you opt for is totally up to you. But for me, hopefully if the funds allow, I will be rocking a full length coat. Full length coats have long been seen as a garment worn by older much affluent men or someone living in the Scottish Highlands. But why should they have all the warmth? Having at least one full length coat in your wardrobe should be as key as having 3 pairs of jeans, especially the winters of England and other countries of the Northern Hemisphere. Full length coats exude a ministerial sophistication and give off the impression you can know how to talk shop. Here are a couple of full length coats that are out there in the market.
Paul Smith
Khaki wool overcoat.
Hackett
Classic wool coat. Single breasted and double one side pocket flap.
Tutina Pasene/New Zealand
Maori/Polynesian inspired coat. With thick cummerband and traditional print.
Tutina Pasene/New Zealand
Long coat with traditional tribal print and leather detailing.
“I am an African
Because she is the cradle of our birth
And nurtures an ancient wisdom
I am an African
Because she lives in the world’s shadow
And bursts with a radiant luminosity
I am an African
Because she is the land of tomorrow
And I recognise her gifts as sacred” - Wayne Visser
For many westerners images of Africa are of sickly thin malnutritioned children, mud huts, drought, Aids and lions. Not of a continent of wealth, culture, beauty, 
strength and phenomenal fashion. Yes, fashion. For years fashion has been associated with New York, London, Paris and Milan. When African fashion is considered, it has something do with leopard print, cheetah print or some sort of animal. And it's immediately considered African. I'm sure other countries have leopards. Our appreciation of African fashion seems
to only go so far. At New York fashion week, this year they showcased the ARISE: Promise of Africa Collective ,with designers such as David Tlale,Tiffany Amber and Eric Raisina showing the west that Africa has more to offer to fashion than animals. The designers African silhouette exuded elegance with a European sophistication, of which could easily place them on Sloane street or Rodeo Drive.
They are not the only designers the continent has to offer. With designer such as Stiaan Louw, South Africa’s answer to conceptual minimalistic design. Looking at his menswear collection for ’09, based on tribal experiences he presented diaper tied cardigans, low waisted waistcoats; plaited boat anchor ropes were used as belts or trouser suspenders and full length coats. Tribal indeed. Stiaan’s collection however, breaks down the normal conventions of what tribal is. Here it seems Africa isn't the only continents with tribes, clubs and the streets are tribal. The collection enforces the ideal that “people choose to define themselves through their association with specific social, sexual and cultural subcultures”. Stiaan’s designs don't end there however, with his “Next Generation” campaign, which revolves around the idea of manipulating a single garment for many uses is what the collection is about. His palette mainly consists of beige and off whites. One thing that strikes me about the collection is Stiaan's sense of fun using only fiery red headed models. The hair colour of the models elevated the richness of the colours used on the pieces. But enough about Stiaan, another designe
r from the rainbow nation is the design duo Vanya and Thando Managliso, who have formed Sun Goddess. Sun Goddess doesn't shy away from staying truly African with their range of fabrics originating from the Sotho people, Tswana, Xhosa and Zulu to name a few. The amalgamation of these fabrics makes Sun Goddess stand out from the rest with their Parisian couturier feel. They pieces in the Positive Rocks, Couture show are a testament of that. With their use of African eccentricity in terms of patterns, opting for puff ball silohuettes, drapery and corsetry. Colours made the pieces look regal with uses of blue, red, white and cream. Sun Goddess is truly upping the ante in African fashion with a sublime sense of luxury and prestige. Hopefully shifting or adding a focus to African fashion weeks.
