A new mission for Missoni Men

What Etro was (left) for the Spring 2009 collections, Missoni (right) takes over for Fall. Etro, meanwhile, ventures into more sublime territory, but more about it in a different post!

Though the hues and colors are different and silk and satin are replaced by knits, the clothes have the same playfulness and whimsy. For both shows, styling is also key.



The mix and repetition of paisley, floral, plaid, and other patterns become a combination of patches, stripes, zigzags, and even more plaid in seemingly limitless sizes and colors.



The incongruent cut of the lapels of the coat on the right makes it particularly interesting.



The monochromatic mix of stripes and plaid bring to mind the Spring 2009 collection of Robert Geller.



I am somehow reminded of the mix of patterns in Gustav Klimt's paintings.



Patches over zigzags: unruffled riffraff.



Where are you, Charlie Brown?



Classic scarf trimmings mix well with modern color gradients, while modernized over signature Missoni geometrics bring a new dimension to a time-tested pattern.



The right-most scarf is just beautiful, while the striped shirt on the left adds even more sophistication to the outfits.





The dab of daring of this men's collection definitely bodes well for the Italian house.

Marc Jacobs SS 09 + Etro SS 09

Etro showed last June, while Marc Jacobs just this September.













Inspiration is abound.



Photos from men.style.com and style.com

GQ Style: Poseidon

The god of the sea rises. He is mortal.


'Poseidon', GQ Style 6 Spring Summer 2008
Photography by Nathaniel Goldberg. Styling by David Bradshaw
Model: Patrick Petitjean at Success

For quite some time now, androgyny has been the new plaything of menswear. Though much of it has drawn inspiration from 80s Japanese designers, a significant force that drives "androgyny" are simply cross-dressers.


Cotton t-shirt, Gap Red; bead necklace, stylist's own

On the other side of the coin is raw masculinity.

Print shirt, print shorts, sandals: all Gucci

So strong that it can be expressed even with shin-length kaftans (of course, not to exclude skirts!).

Silk kaftan, Lanvin; plaited leather cuff, Burberry

But this attribute, I'm afraid, cannot simply be worn or assimilated.

Nylon shorts, Raf Simons; glass bead necklace, Pebble

You simply have it - like igneous, which has no layers - or you don't.

Towelling top, Bottega Veneta; swimming trunks, American Apparel

This kind of appeal is its own skin - evident from a man, whether he has a three-piece suit or just swimming briefs.

Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani once stated, on the topic of dressing men and as part of the reason she wanted to take over L'Uomo Vogue: "...we had seen too much of the intimacy of men. Men had been stripped down too much!"

This may be true, and many men may still smart from the embarrassment of such exposure.


T-shirt, top (worn on head): both Rick Owens; paisley swimming briefs, Etro; plaited leather cuff, Burberry

But beauty will always have its own dignity, male or female, no matter who the perceived audience, and no matter how many layers of clothing expose or conceal it.


Hand-dyed kaftan, Tween

Stripping down, covering up: they are part of the motions of the seasons.

Vest, black swimming briefs, printed swimming briefs (worn beneath): all Dolce & Gabbana; top (worn on head), Rick Owens; sandals, Balenciaga; plaited leather cuff, Burberry

Masculinity can stand on its own, stays the same covered with leaves and fruit, or simply bare.


Swimming trunks, American Apparel; goggles (on trunks), from a selection, Thom Browne

Strong, because behind it is identity that bears its own confidence, can do without necklaces and headpieces.

Jersey top, Rick Owens

Or whatever accouterments meant merely to be worn, not grafted like second skin.

Wrestling leotard, from a selection, Calvin Klein; top (worn on head), Rick Owens; leather sandals, Balenciaga; leather cuff, Hugo Boss

Through the flood

I hate it when heavy rains flood the city, but do not at all mind wading through water – given that they reach no further than the shore.


Trench di cotone, Stefanel; camicia di cotone e pantaloni a sigaretta con tasche a filo, CP Company; boots stringati di pelle invecchiata, Diesel

'L'Irlanda'
From Velvet March 2009
Photogaphy by Perry Ogden, Styling by Nik Piras
Model: Julien Sabaud @ D'Man
Scanned by MartiX from Model Hommes

I love the feel of this editorial: the beach, windy meadows, and perhaps, sentimental music.


Completo di colone gessato con giaccia monopetto e pantaloni con doppa plissettatura, t-shirt di sets girocollo: tutto Lanvin

The boots keep the outfits rugged – jackets, trenches, bowlers, and all.


Trench di tessuto tecnico, camicia di denim con plaston, pantaloni di lino con pirices: tutto Trussardi 1911; bombetta di panno, A.N.G.E.L.O.; boots, Diesel

You are drawn to listen to the landscape.

Camicia di cotone e pantaloni gessati, Diesel Black Gold; cravatta tricot di seta, Gallo; calze, Calzedonia; scarpe di suede, Paul Smith

Dream of other places.


Giacca da smoking doppiopetto di tela mohair e camicia di popeline, Prada

I've never been to Ireland, but this reminds me of the works of some Irishmen, starting with Seamus Heaney.


Caban di tela e camicia di cotone pressato, Closed; pantaloni di misto lino, PS Paul Smith

Memories of hawthorn burning.

Camicia di lino e pantaloni oversize a vita alta, Belstaff; cintura, Closed; calze, Calzedonia; boots, Diesel

Gilet di cotone, PS Paul Smith; camicia rigata e pantaloni oversize, Paul Smith; bombetta, A.N.G.E.L.O.

Bogs. From what I've read, it seems impossible to just dip your toe in the country.


Abito di lino con giacca monopetto e pantaloni a sigaretta, Etro; boots, harley-Davidson

You run through its streets.

Pantaloni di cotone rigato stretti in fondo, Emporio Armani; calze, Calzedonia; tessuto di raso lucido, Jab

You get to know adversity.


Abito con giacca monopetto e pantaloni stretti in fondo, Canali; camicia di cotone traforata, Etro

Trench di seta con cappucio, Giorgio Armani; gilet monopetto, Sisley; camicia di cotone e pantaloni con microcheck, United Colors of Benetton

Purple Passion

(Excellent Male Model)

ENGINE #123 December 2010
ENGINE Brand Feature: Etro - Purple Passion
Model: Model Alex Dunstan / Photographer: Junji Hata / Stylist: Tomoki Sukezane

Happy Monday everyone!=)