DALLAS, Apr 14, 2007 / FW/ --- It might have taken some by surprise, but, the upcoming Paris menswear show slated on June 28 to July 1, 2007 is the sixteenth season for the 21st century and the new millennium.
Sweet 16, as birthday goes and on the verge of change; new names, new faces, the old guards and the standards are together taking menswear into a new era.
Like the turn of the 20th century when the manner of dressing changed, the same thing is happening this century. The change might be subtle and not easy to detect, but it is there.
Early in the 2000s, Hedi Slimane changed the men’s silhouette from slim to ultra thin, firming up his hold on the title as an influential menswear designer. And, though a lot followed suit, there are those who took different directions.
Jean Paul Gaultier, the reigning king of French fashion went for unisex dressing, making the term ‘borrowing from your boyfriend’s closet’ not just a fad or trend but a standard. That others are also following suit demonstrates Gaultier’s considerable influence as a designer, for both menswear and womenswear.
Emerging designers during the 1980s, but now a part of the old guards, Dries Van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester continues to dominate the scene with their signature style, and still find time to innovate and push the envelope.
Relatively newcomers, but already well-known are Raf Simons and Kris Van Assche, both of them successful in their eponymous labels and moonlights as Creative Directors of big houses, namely Jil Sander and Dior Homme, respectively.
The new faces bring excitement – Jeroen Van Tuyl with his geometric vision, Bruno Pieters with his penchant of deconstructing the past only to reconstruct it for today and the future and Number (N)ine with his rock & roll attitude.
So, "What's in a name?” As Shakespeare said, “That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet."
Only for this one instant, I would have to disagree with the great bard, because in fashion, a silhouette is not just a silhouette. It is a statement of style and unique vision of a designer; hence, it’s different for everyone.
Milan Menswear Show Spring 2008 (Milano Moda Uomo)
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: Paris Menswear Show Spring 2008
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