Milan...Men's Collections Spring 2010!

In spite of the fact Spring 2010 is a bit far off, Fashion Designers trotted off to Milan recently to unveil their collections for men on runways that breathed new life into male animal chic.

As a kaleidoscope pulsated passionately in the background, Etro's confident macho male models strutted out in lively pant-and-shirt ensembles etched with wild Hawaiian prints, vivid paisleys, and - on occasion - streaks and splashes of pure unadulterated color sure to appeal to the peacock of the species.

Meanwhile, Roberto Cavalli was inclined to butch up his collection military-style, with the emphasis on male machismo.

Elaborate epaulets and toggles on wide-shouldered jackets effectively pumped up the upper torso to create a flattering virile silhouette.

Subtle industrial hardware flourishes beefed up the "studly" image, too.

In contrast, Marc Jacobs wowed adventurous coming-of-age style-magnet males with lipstick-kiss motifs on blousey shirts, a bevy of shorts prone to rise and fall all over a muscled leg (pleated, on occasion, sometimes not).


Street-smark Jacobs was wise to turn-out a bevy of biker jackets of all practical and fanciful persuasion (kinky, beefy, streetwise) sure to be winners in the mainstream.

Hollywood types - Depp, Pitt, and Pattinson, for starters - may be inspired to pluck up Jacob's quirky elongated Tuxedo on a fashion whim.

Come Spring (probably sooner), flaunting fashion-conscious dudes and a show-off gym bunny or two will undoubtedly snap up a gauzy (see thru) muscle shirt with armholes down to the waist that casually tease potential suitors when exposing a pumped-up pec or two.

Salvatore Ferragamo, one of my favorite chi-chi designers, trotted out chic suits with a big spotlight on subtle Italian tailoring and styling.

Slim double-breasted suits in fine wool or cotton gabardine will be all the rage when the first flower buds longingly strain for innocent spring skies that herald new prospects for the coming year.

Two-tone shoes, built on simple two-lace tie-up structures, made a welcome entry, too.

Ferre didn't surprise much, instead preferring to stray along mostly-familiar fashion territory with signature design flourishes that have been big sellers for that powerhouse in the past.

The stylish man-about-town may go broke over stand-out stand-alone (entree) pieces enriched with gold embroidery (still a fashion rage and revving up on T-shirts and designer jeans) or tooled in sexed-up body-hugging butter-soft leather.

Sleeveless shirts (tailored in all the right places) may entice a muscled chevron (or bicep) to flex a bit for show when a man's on the prowl.

Some uppity fashion editors did not warm up to Alexander McQueen's vision for Spring.

Just maybe, it was because naughty Alex elected to go a bit cerebral in Milan that week.

Instead of flaunting his collection on stage - so that the keen eyes of the critical fashion press could feast upon the offerings in a practical context on the runway as crafted fabric shells shaped and molded to flow in harmony with body parts and flesh - McQueen elected to present an esoteric video of an emotionally-charged artist smearing clay on walls.

McQueen's jumping-off point when under the fashion gun?

The slightly-balmy designer's off-the-wall presentation of the collection consisting mainly of suits and work wear daubed with paint - strung out on (yawn) plain old racks - underscored that it might be so.

I found the novelty fashion statements - decorated with line drawings, abstract prints, and patchworks - were bang on in view of the trends making leaps and bounds in pop culture circles this past year.

The so-called "lived-in-look" critics have turned a blind eye to - merely signal that the male of the species is becoming more comfortable in his skin - real or imagined.

The most whimsical offerings were out of "Costume National" labelled a collection for "Travelers & Curious Explorers".

Ennio Cpasa featured drop-crotch pants (great for hiking jaunts in France , n'est-ce pas?), ensemble pieces with rough edges to toughen up the image, and macho army boots to anchor any of the fashion fantasies about to take flight.

One design adventure - a cropped satin jacket with floral embroideries - hinted at a romantically-inspired trend to surface next year as the economy picks up, the recession is turned back, and the pleasure principle rails the day on the American fashion front once again.

Can't wait!

Armani cycle hunk trunks

Salvatore Ferragamo individual elegant style

http://www.julianayrs.com

Karl Lagerfeld...Optic designer-eyewear big bucks deal!

Flamboyant Lagerfeld style trends

Not content to flop back and count the cash flowing in the till from lucrative licensing agreements with the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation (which currently spins out high-end product for eight brands which include bridal and denim lines, pricey fragrances, and luxurious furs) top-dog designer Karl Lagerfeld recently pacted an exclusive distribution partnership deal with Optic 2000.

Smart move, Karl!

Optic is France's largest optician chain flourishing on his home turf.

Just recently the stylish designer specs were shipped out to 1150 of Optic's prime upscale retail outlets.

The eye-catching line boasts twenty-three pairs of sunglasses, in addition to twenty-five optical frames, which were crafted in close collaboration with Christian Roth and Eric Domege.

Metallic ring features were inspired by Mr. Lagerfeld's finger-jewellery obsession.

Film border motifs also echo the celebrated designer's passion for photography.

For the style conscious a must-have!

Moi?

Because of my scatter-brained tendency to lose chic expensive shades at the drop of a hat, I tend to snap up an expendable pair or two at the 99 cent store during the lazy days of summer.

After all, I'm fashion-conscious enough to dread the thought of being spied among my adoring fans with any pair - stylish or not - affixed to a tawdry string around my neck!

http://www.julianayrs.com

AFI Dallas...Drew Waters has star quality; Ella & Astronaut hits mark; Festival Scuttlebutt!

Occasionally, an individual stands out on the red carpet.

Call it the "it" factor, if you like.

For an actor, it is that indefinable "something" that sets them apart from any other performer.

And, Drew Waters - who is co-starring in a Dallas-shot feature (The Other Side of Paradise) - definitely has it in spades!

When I spied him strutting down the gauntlet last night, it was obvious to me - a former Theatrical Agent - that Mr. Waters was going to be catapulted into the stratosphere if only he got that lucky break.

"I nearly didn't get this part," he laughed.

"They thought I couldn't handle the role which is so unlike the characters I usually play."

Yes, he's clean cut and all American-looking - a dude who might conceivably play the hero, the Harvard Graduate, the All-Star Quarterback - or a myriad of other roles in that vein.

Since I don't intend to catch "The Other Side of Paradise" for a couple of reasons, I thought I'd copy-cat Robert Wright (the rock photographer from "Rock Prophecies" who took "Sick Puppies" under his wing and elevated them from relative obscurity to new levels of success in the music industry) and give this kid a mention with the hope that it will cast a spotlight on his career and stir up some interest.

I'll be watching from the sidelines and trust that my instinct is right on again!

Last night I also got to meet Alan Govenar who directed "Poetry of Exactitude".

It's a short film about Lucien Moucher, who has been crafting small-scale productions of carousels and fairground scenes, since 1946.

"It takes him one year to create one piece which is rendered with painstaking minute detail."

At a time when filmmakers are focusing on convoluted love stories, drug deals gone awry, glory films about the War in Iraq - you name it - it is darn refreshing to encounter an auteur who is documenting the work of gifted artists to ensure there is a chronicle of their efforts left behind.

There were some surprises over the weekend, too.

"Ella & the Astronaut", featured in Shorts Program I, blew me away.

It's a film about one girl's journey to her secret hiding spot where she and Astronaut Henry can travel to the stars. (Directed by Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck & Robert Machoian)

For me, it was delightful filmmaking, which hit the spot.

There were some go-getters hawking their wares on the carpet past week, too.

One that struck me as genuine and deserving of accollades was Benjamin Kegan who directed "Team Taliban".

Although I haven't seen this short, the buzz for it has been exceptional.

In fact, my peers this week, noted how impressed they were with the young man currently attending school in Washington State.

"Team Taliban" provides a provocative glimpse into the world of Adeel Adam, a devout Muslim-American wrestler, who struggles to find a balance between his faith and his wrestling career.

According to Kegan, his project explores the impact of the war on terror in American culture through the unique lens of professional wrestling.

http://www.teamtalibanfilm.com/
At some point, I hope to take in "Kassim: the Dream".

Director/Screenwriter Kief Davidson won me right-off-the-bat when he noted I reminded him of his Uncle!

Smart guy!

The intriguing tale is about a Junior Middleweight Champion of the world who was abducted when he was a child and inducted into a rebel army at the tender age of 6.

AFI Fest describes The Dream this way:
"Director Kief Davidson and Executive Producer Forest Whitaker gives us an intimate portrait of a captivating and charismatic young athlete who feels compelled to transform a legacy of sorrow into hope and inspiration."

Later in the week, "Hunger" - a film I was greatly impacted by at AFI LA last fall, will be screening locally.

I highly recommend the poignant story about a 1981 Hunger strike initiated by the Irish Republican Army leader Bobby Sands.

Post: 11/04/2008

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/11/afi-festhunger-knock-out-drama-about.html

George Wawa, an AFI photographer, has been on the ball with a his team - too - capturing all the events on film so that various media outlets will have professional stills to match-up with their news coverage.
I ended up down at the Festival Lounge later at Victory Park once my assignments for the day were covered, kicked up my heels, and mingled with the tony Dallas elite for a couple of hours.

A couture Swimwear fashion show by Shawari - featuring a bevy of buffed studs and sexy scantilly-clad female models, revved up the crowd, by the way.

Tonight, I plan to attend the Red Carpet event for "The Burning Plain" which is being touted as a must-see film, starring Charlize Theron and Kim Bassinger.

Sorry folks, word from my inside sources have informed me the tickets are sold out.

I'll attend the gala afterwards and report in tomorrow with all the juicy tidbits!

http://www.thetattler.biz