Not satisfied with being one of the world's most respected character actors, John Malkovich has decided to launch a new career as a fashion guru.
The renowned thespian, who won plaudits for films such as Dangerous Liaisons and In The Line Of Fire, is set to launch a new menswear collection. His creations echo the classic sophistication of the enigmatic star's personal sartorial style.
"In New York in the Forties or Fifties everybody was in a suit, an overcoat and a hat," he says. "Now you have a down coat and sneakers, jeans and sweatpants. I find it ugly, I don't see what it adds."
As to whether he will be sporting the designs himself, Mr Malkovich remains non-committal. "Most of this I would wear, as opposed to saying 'I will wear'. I'm more boring and more conservative. I usually wear a banker's suit – generally more of an English style – but not necessarily Saville Row. I don't like things too overstated in the cut or too perfect."
Going under the name of Mrs Mudd, the actor's new design company is fittingly based just outside Florence. His first collection will be launched in London, Paris in New York later this year, but for the moment the range is only available in Italy.
Just a few miles away, meanwhile, the heavyweights of men's fashion have been showcasing their latest efforts at Milan Menswear Week. Moschino and Gucci, who both showed on Tuesday, were both offering a distinctly retro approach to autumn/winter 2003.
While Mr Malkovich has been championing a revival of Fifties classicism, Moschino was displaying the urban cool of the same era. Narrow pants and dark jeans were complemented with classic wingtips and varsity leather jackets. There was also a selection of plaid pants, accessorised by striped socks worn with three-inch platforms. The ever flamboyant design house also managed to inject one or two characteristically outré items into the collection, including a cotton candy pink blazer with white lapels.
Gucci boss Tom Ford had caught the retro bug, too, though he had abandoned city chic for life on the ranch. Ten-gallon hats, bandannas and classic-cut jeans were the order of the day, as the Italian giants went decidedly Wild West.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
