Milan Fashion Week: The Mens Shows

It’s fashion week in Milan, and the first looks of Men’s Ready-to-Wear are now available. Alessandro Dell’ Acqua, Jil Sander and Alexander McQueen showed very strong collections as per usual. All three designers played up sheer materials, giving glimpses of the body throughout the show. Going retro, Alexander McQueen and Missoni have created a sensational buzz reaffirming masculinity with broad shoulders and fitted form, moving away from the extreme fitted look. Cardigans have carried over in many of the designers’ collections and the fabrics have lightened up, allowing for the Spring breeze. One of the changes we see comes from Marni; designer Consuela Castiglioni has taken a different approach to the suit this Spring. Her change? The cropped blazer. Joining her in this trend is Prada, suit veterans Calvin Klein and Versace have all stuck to what they know best and showed a very classic blazer.

Legendary Lagerfeld Stops Traffic

Karl Lagerfeld, the renound designer behind Chanel and the Karl Lagerfeld label, has taken a different route (no pun intended) in his publicity recently. The 'Kaiser' now appears on billboards across France promoting road safety. Lagerfeld is shown wearing a neon yellow safety vest, with the intent of encouraging the citizens of France to take the initiative and wear safety vests, despite how ugly they are, in case of emergency where one has to pull their car over. Hopefully this ad will convince the stylish citizens of France to put fashion in check in the name of safety. It will soon become a national law that every car must be equiped with the vests, along with a road triangle kit.

This attempt to grab the public's attention seems to be working, considering whatever Lagerfeld says, seems to go.

The ads feature the King of Couture along with text that translates, "It’s yellow, it’s ugly, it doesn’t match anything, but it might save your life." Not surprisingly, Lagerfeld seems to pull off the look. If only we could all look so hip in yellow safety vests.

Vous êtes toujours si chic, Karl!

Attention Sample Sale Junkies!

If you love a great designer deal, be sure to check out the Arthur Mendonca Inventory & Sample Sale. The sale ends on Friday so be sure to get there as soon as possible for some inexpensive treats!

50% off Arthur Mendonca
Wednesday June 25-Friday June 27
219 Dufferin Street, Suite 112c
(south building entrance)

Accepts cash, Visa/Master Card

Hartnett for Armani!

Attention Josh Hartnett fans! The former 40 Days and 40 Nights star is the new face for Emporio Armani's new campaign for Diamonds for Men cologne. Set to launch in Spring/Summer 2009 in Milan, the new ads show the young actor looking, well, a little more grown up.

Armani has commented on his choice by saying that Hartnett has "a charm and charisma that is magnetic. His individuality, allure and nonchalant way of being are all qualities which inspired me in the creation of this new fragrance."

Alongside Hartnett, the female counterpart for Armani's Diamonds for Women is Beyonce Knowles.

The Diamonds fragrance will be available beginning August 2008.

White Jeans: Clean, Crisp, Sophisticated

Warm weather has finally hit Toronto, and with its official arrival this past weekend why not try out one this seasons hottest looks: white jeans. Sporting this look provides a clean, crisp and sophisticated summer look. Historically, the general public has avoided the ‘white’ jean with the fear that it may be unflattering and too easy to stain. This season, why not take the leap into white and make a statement? White jeans are the perfect compliment to summer weather, giving a bright and soft look whether you are walking the streets of Toronto, up at the cottage for the weekend, or on vacation to a sunny spot.

The FABRIC look: a pale pair of Alberto five pocket stretch white jeans, teamed up with a light blue dress shirt by Stone House and a vintage skinny tie. This look comes compliments of Stone House at the Eaton Centre.

Dress it up: adding a fitted blazer easily transforms this look into work appropriate or ready for a night on the town.

Dress it down: loose the tie and add a navy or white summer scarf. Finish this look with a pair of tortoise aviators or wayfarers and you're ready to climb aboard!

Wrangler, Levis, Nudie, Gucci, Dior, Lacoste, Prada, and Michael Kors all make fantastic white denim. Dive into summer head first!

Model : Randy - Stylus

ALERT **** S A L E **** ALERT

Triumph Warehouse Sale
Initially June 10-15 but extended until Sunday June 22nd
Thursday 11am-9pm
Friday 11am-9pm
Sat/Sun 10am-6pm

Address:
2320 Bristol Circle
Unit #4
Oakville, ON

Prices:
$8.99 for bras
$4.99 for underwear

Addicted to H&M

Our addiction to H&M grows. In an economy that is slowing down and a recession is looming that will no doubt cripple the Canadian fashion industry, retail giant H&M is cashing in, in a big way. "The Swedish fast-fashion giant said second quarter profits after financial items improved 6 percent to 5.43 billion kronor, or $839.3 million, boosted by a 25 percent sales gain in May after adverse weather conditions hamstrung sales in March and April. Sales in the second quarter rose 7.8 percent to 21.61 billion kronor, or $3.34 billion." (Source, WWD).

To read more on the impact of H&M, pick up the fall issue of FABRIC Magazine. Want a free copy?
e-mail: info@stlyuscommunications.ca