Lessons From Paris: Fall 2012 Fashion Week Menswear Trends

The Parisian element of style has graced us for another great week in menswear.  Some trends from Milan were also seen in Paris, and there were some unique moments presented that defintiely marked its territory on the Ave.  Here are five lessons learned from menswear fashion trends in Paris.

Lesson #1: Winterize Your Face (l to r; Thom Browne, Adam Kimmel, Boris Bidjen Saberi, Juun.J)

  

Designers found some pretty creative ways to keep your face protected from winter weather; some are a bit more intense than others, especially the spiked masks from Thom Browne.   At least those could double-function as a snow plow if needed.

Lesson #2: High Waists Aren't Just for Urkel (l to r; 3.1 Philip Lim, John Galliano)

The high waste is making its mark as a statement of fashion; no longer just a nerd indicator.
P.S. - Nerds are IN.


Lesson #3: Count on Capes for 2012 Style: (l to r; Yohji Yamamoto, Mugler)

Count von Count from Sesame Street still does this trend the best, but you can be a close second with cloaking yourself in a designer cape.

Lesson #4: Don't Hide from Camouflage; It's Here to Stay.  (l to r; John Paul Gaultier, 3.1Philip Lim)
 
 

Camouflage may have appeared to be exiting out of trend, but Paris brought back the coveted print very strongly, especially in the camo-friendly collection by John Paul Gaultier.


Lesson #5: Speak Up with Prints
(l to r; Christian Lacroix, Louis Vuitton, Dries van Noten, Miharayasuhiro)

  

 From adding printed shirts, to going full out with a full body piece of art, prints add dimension and take away some of the seriousness that sometimes comes with men's fashion.

Hakaan Spring 2012 Collection

Only in Paris can a collection saturated with revealing, sexy looks can still hold a chic appearance.  Designer Hakaan Yildirim gave us a sexy, dangerous, unabashed woman that could care less about where she is - day or night - as long as she is the center of attention.  Keeping a steady palette of white and black, with only a few additions of color, Hakkan revealed the female body with the use of geometric patterns and lace fabrics.  The looks, though risque, can easily become more wearable with a simple tank, or perhaps a bra; but when its runway, its totally amazing.

Q-Tips: How to Color Block

Color Blocking is back. Yes, the days of Pop Art, Whitley Gilbert, Liz Claiborne, and Nineties Hip Hop is resurfacing as the hottest trend of the season.  It is evident with the Spring 2012 Collections from New York to Paris, and with you having at least another year to execute this trend, you need to sharpen your skills to make your own color block look effortless.  Before I answer the most popular questions, let me give you a list of rules to follow:

Q-Tips: Best White Looks for Spring 2012

If you haven't noticed, Avenue Swank has gone through a big wardrobe change!  The Ave decided to go white even after Labor Day; but hey, when you are naturally fashion forward, there are no rules!  In honor of the new white experience, I wanted to share a few of my favorite white looks from Spring 2012.  Before you even look, YES, there is a look from Kanye West's Dw Collection!  You may be shocked after my review of his collection, but I never said I hated it from beginning to end!

  

left to right SS12 - Celine, Givenchy, Dw by Kanye West, Barbara Tfank, Alexandre Plokhov, Zero + Maria Cornejo

Kanye West Spring 2012 Collection Review

Kanye West has finally shown his new women's collection, Dw by Kanye West at Paris Fashion Week, and with mixed emotions, it is unclear of whether or not is as met the expectations.  The answer of this question depends on your actual expectation of whether or not you thought his attempt would be successful, or another cliche celebrity line that lacks the execution and craftsmanship of a true designer collection. I have to say that, well he has the artistic talent to do well in fashion, this collection leaned more to the side of a celebrity collection, with many "almost" attempts that were too close to the aesthetics of the brands he raps about.

The bandage dresses with cut outs were almost Herve Leger; the sequins jacket was almost Balmain and Celine - Lots of almost Mugler, Rick Owens, Alexander Wang...

The fur and heavy fabrics were more appropriate for a Fall collection, and although colors have become seamless through seasons, fabric choices have not.  The fabrics also appear to be very expensive, which helps keep the looks away from a "cheap" description.  The overall finish of the looks were unkept; not sure if the aesthetic was supposed to be ill-fitting, but it didn't translate well on runway photos.  The zipper shorts are hot and on trend, and will be a strong push into market for Dw.

He was sucessful in having Chanel Iman in the show, who's second look (the finale look), was definitely the best look, and a positive way to end the show.  The top appeared heavy, but the overall look was wearable and something unique for the collection.

I still love Kanye West... I think we all do in some small way.  I largely love him for his music, and his contribution to making high fashion cool in the hip hop community.  Kanye helped us tremendously with making fashion and the love of fashion masculine and I remain grateful for that.  However, though I write, breathe, and rock fashion all day; I will NOT be a designer.  He is an artist that can draw, paint, and produce, so he may be able to continue with this and improve. Maybe he will have a better take on menswear, since he can add his own preference into the collection.  His shoe collections have been amazing, so perhaps sticking to that will be his best option.  The fact is, Kanye has alot of money and alot of talent, so this certainly won't be the last collection, especially once he reads other reviews that aren't afraid to give a little tough love. I am quite sure Kanye is going to make a song, and 8 bars of it will about all of us fashion critics who didn't 100% love the collection, but at least I can say that I will have a song written about me. 

Kanye West Spring 2012 Collection at Paris Fashion Week

Pastelle.  Air Yeezy.  Louis Vuitton.  Now, Kanye West has taken on a full collection that will debut during Paris Fashion Week.  Kanye's Spring 2012 Collection, in collaboration with menswear designer Katie Eary, will debut after John Paul Gautier on October 1.  The collection is being kept very private, but the design aesthetic of Katie Eary may shed some light on what to expect with Kanye's collection.  Photos below are from Eary's Spring 2012 Collection.