Men's Fashion

By Candice Mancini
Fashion Design School Review Columnist

If you’re just starting fashion school, have you considered men’s clothing design? A multi-billion dollar industry, men’s fashion has been growing at a fast clip. Last Christmas season epitomized this growth; according to MasterCard, men’s clothing outperformed both women’s and children’s clothes.

Fashion for Men: Stirrups Included

The big news in men’s fashion is made of microfiber cotton and wool, comes in violet, forest green, and gray, and while most are equipped with stirrups, those cut above the knee are not. That’s right—men’s leggings have hit the runways. But will they hit the streets?

Whose Clothing Design Was This?

This fashion is none other’s than Consuela Castiglioni and her Italian label, Marni. Yes, the same Marni of funky but elegant women’s clothing design. Since 1994, Castiglioni has made it big, dressing and accessorizing such fashion-aficionados as Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, and Audrey Tatou. But will the leggings find as much success as, say, her 2006 patent leather handbag?

Men’s Fashion: An Eclectic Blend

Whether leggings make it or not, men’s clothing design is rolling ahead at high speed. Upcoming spring wardrobes are an eclectic blend of natural, athletic, and bold. These include Versace’s oatmeal relaxed-fit khakis and Miu Miu’s white “flour sack” long-sleeve T-shirt; Kris Van Assche’s comfy (and nicely draping) gray athletic pants and DSquared layered, eighties “gym-class” workout gear; as well as Raf Simons’ sleeveless retro “curtain fabric sample” tee and Burberry Prorsum’s dazzling silver swathing cardigan, a seeming blend of woman’s eveningwear and Mr. Rogers.

So while you’re in fashion school, if you study men’s fashion, keep your imagination wide open. It’s a rapidly-expanding industry. And if men’s purses can make it, as they have in Europe, why not men’s leggings? And sparkly silver cardigans? And whatever your own talented mind can create…

About the Author

Candice Mancini is a writer and teacher with an unusual fashion sense that drives her to create her own clothing, as well as recreate perfectly good, ready-made clothing. She has an M.A. in Education and a B.A. in English and history.

Source(s) Bloomburg News
China Daily
Men’s Style: The 10 Spring Looks

Posted on July 9, 2007 at 03:09 PM