It’s all about the journey and not soley the destination in Milan at the Spring 2014 menswear collections. Milanese designers created luxe lounge looks to spin a tale on what luxury loungewear should look like. These looks are for leisurely play.
From the sand on the runway to the splashes of vibrant colors, all of the elements at Fendi’s mens show were closely tied around the theme of a hot, hot desert. Silvia Venturini Fendi used sleek bonded fabrics to create short-sleeved jackets and technical clothing. The warm yellow color on a graphic T-shirt peeks through the opening of a rust colored raincoat. The dark to light ombre effect creates a seamless transition to light drawstring track pants. The desert theme was carried down to the shoes with sneakers and loafers that appeared to be sandblasted. The tough, rugged models carried fold over snakeskin handbags.
“The vibration of the sportsman” was the focus of Salvatore Ferragamo’s spring collection, stated Massimiliano Giornetti. It’s active wear with a tailored, clean silhouette and a pop of color. The burnt orange sweater and tailored shorts are paired with white derby shoes with elastic bands and orange and black accents. Many of the models carried sports bags over their shoulders furthering the sophisticated sporty look.
Dolce & Gabanna’s Sicilian roots were ever present on the runway strewn with olive branches. The designers dressed their buff models in Grecian inspired prints and leather gladiator sandals which appeared to emulate heros from ancient Greek mythology. An antique coin print with the faces of Greek Gods printed on a loosely cut linen tank is worn over striped casual trousers.
At Gucci, Frida Giannini’s injected a fresh, young attitude into the mens collection imbuing it with a relaxed, sporty vibe for summer. Fitted shirts were exchanged for relaxed fit T-shirts and loose weaved short-sleeved sweaters, all worn with cut off track pants, which featured prominently. Giannini blended dark gothic floral prints with leather and cool-wool in a palette of muted lilacs and army greens, complimenting the urban, athletic theme with enormous oversized leather bags and leather sneakers.
Vivienne Westwood infused a mash-up of cultures in her mens spring collection using ethnic Indian prints and fabrics in bright colors to create a mismatched look that is playful and relaxed. The loose T-shirts and sweaters ranged from printed words to beautiful ombre to plaids worn over roomy drawstring trousers with rolled up cuffs. She highlighted the Indian theme with brightly colored gem necklaces with tassels, jelly thong sandals adorned with jewels, and color blocked totes.
Neil Barrett’s ultra minimalism gave way to a contemporary modern look exemplifying the mantra “less is more.” All of his pieces featured clean lines, geometric shapes and 50s style prints inspired by Charles and Ray Eames. A red leather blouson sweatshirt is paired with tapered pull-on pants with an elastic waistband. “It’s the whole idea of making what’s super easy, super wearable – American street wear – and making it super-fine.”
