The Paris Menswear shows have proved a veritable melting pot of styles thanks to the creative genius of some of fashion's best-loved names - as well as some headline-making newcomers. As expected, John Galliano's runway was a drama-laden affair, as he took "Road Warriors On Venice Beach" as the theme for next spring/summer. Heavily body-painted models wore Galliano's various visions of modern militarism, from silky combats to multi-pocketed jackets.
Over at the Gaultier catwalk an incongruous melange of looks was apparently due to a variety of influences, ranging from Michael Jackson and John Lennon to cult French singer Philippe Katerine. A pilot's jacket was worn over mico swimming trunks, while purple briefs studded with brass buttons were teamed with a flowing silk coat.
But the wackiest show had to be that of Belgian designer Walter Von Beirendonck whose futuristic catwalk spectacular drew inspiration from aliens and ancient Egyptian gods. Multi-coloured rubber suits and corsets were topped with eccentric head-wear creations in papier-mache from milliner Stephen Jones.
At the other end of the spectrum, several designers were rejecting modernity in favour of the past. At Dior Homme, Kris Van Der Asche's debut collection featured high-waisted, voluminous 1950s-style pleated trousers from the Christian Dior era. They were teamed with beautifully tailored white shirts featuring origami folds and tiny Peter Pan collars.
British designer Paul Smith, meanwhile, looked to Henley Regatta and Old Etonians for his striped boating jackets. He also referenced British pop artist David Hockney, reproducing the painter's red-framed glasses, stripy jackets, flat cap and bow tie. Art was taken even more literally at Yves Saint Laurent, where shorts, trousers and jackets were 'splattered' with paint.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
