Paris Couture Fashion Week

The arrival of Couture Week in Paris, brought many sights to behold.  Rich and warm, jewels and gold were very much on display in the Elie Saab show.  The collection from Atelier Versace was nothing more then spectacular, with pieces that make the wearer the center of attention in any situation they find themselves in.  Lagerfeld's work epitomized the signature feel that is the house of Chanel.  Dior's collection was the pure distillation of femininity, with an effortless ease.  Meanwhile Galliano pushed the edge even further for Maison Margiela.  Giambattista Valli presented blooms for both his young Valli girls as well as the sophisticated women with more discerning tastes.  I present the looks from Paris that captured my eye the most.  From the structured glory of Viktor and Rolfe to the reverence for the Breton strip displayed by Jean-Paul Gaultier, Paris out on quite the show for the fashion world.

Milan Fashion Week (Men's Wear SS16) Recap

Milan Fashion Week (Menswear) SS16 was a cacophony of textures, styles, lines and details.  There were elements of romance, whimsy and edge.  No singular idea wholly encapsulates the exits put on display by the wonderful houses in Milan.  That equates to pure sartorial joy.  There were some trends that were obvious, such as the influence of asian themes, and it was a theme seen from multiple houses.  If it was a theme showcased by one or two houses it would have been deemed original and inspired, but the repetition of the theme grew stale as the shows progressed.  However, there were looks that were put forth by the various houses that are worth the spotlight, and with that I present La Maison's picks for the best of Milan Fashion Week (Menswear) SS16....

Romance: From Gucci and their reverent take on 70's suave and Marc Jacobs' seersucker genius to Costume National and Dolce&Gabbana's historic take, romance was on full display.  These looks effortlessly mix a rugged masculinity with a soft, almost feminine finish.

Suits and Tailoring: It would be impossible to miss the exquisite tailoring that was on display in Milan.  There was not one house that did not put out a beautifully made suit.  While each house had their own spin, they all came off as fresh and new, which is a feat given that several, including a fabulous Gucci number were obviously, very much inspired by the past.

Streetwear: Be it the muted leather confection that Dolce&Gabbana put forth or the pure 80's homage that came froth from Diesel Black Gold, streetwear had a valiant showing in Milan.  Even Vivienne Westwood got into the game.  The looks that were put forth in the streetwear category easily stood out, each being a strong entry by the designer.  Streetwear is where the pure energy of masculinity emerges.

The Best of the Rest: The collection of looks above simply represents some additional looks that stand out for their originality or overall quality.  The looks include everything from a shorts suit by Jil Sander , to the bold turn toward urban by Ferragamo.  These looks help wrap up what was an outstanding showing in Milan, the left me waiting for more.

London Fashion Week (Men's Wear SS16) Recap

The Suits: The SS16 collection featured many fine examples of suits, from the refined tailoring of the Alfred Dunhill Collection, to the romance and whimsy put on display by Burberry Prorsum.  The above suits are the looks selected as best of the best.  Many a dapper gentleman will find these suits in their closet soon.

The Casual Looks and Jackets: LCM shows exhibit many exquisite casual looks.  Burberry Prorsum doubled down with the romance that is inherent in lace.  The subtle femininity of the lace hewn in such a masculine manner offers an elegance for the season.  Coach, Dunhill, Aquascutum, and Hardy Aimes put forth stunning light jackets.  Providing warmth during the chills of the early winter, yet allowing the wearer to make a bold statement. The darker tones used for the season resonate a certain earthiness usually associated with fall, but are amazingly appropriate for the upcoming spring.  

Pure Summer: LCM featured several looks with very different takes on the essentials of summer. Man and Agi & Sam wove Japanese utility into fantastic collections.  Vinyl looks were put on display by several designers including KTZ and Cottweiler, both of which transformed the highly utilitarian material, into pure joy.  Coach, Lou Dalton, YMC and Kit Neal played with color to the ultimate effect, be it earthy and subtle to so loud as to announce "I am here" the expression of creativity was beyond reproach.