60 and up

Models from Yohiji Yamamoto, Etro, and
Ann Demeulemeester

Gray is the new black at the European men's shows.

flesh of my flesh, blood of my blood

The guy just can't catch a break. Maybe he needs to a taste of his own medicine...

milan: prada

A look from Prada Spring/Summer 2009
via Frillr
A polo that could easily be a polo dress with matching grandpa socks. Miuccia, you naughty girl you.

212 crew

Dear the Most Faithful of Readers,

I must confess that I've been contributing to another blog. Don't worry, The Look-See will remain the primary blogging focus in my life and should continue to grow in the direction it sees fit. I've thought about hosting guest bloggers to mix things up and in the past I've collaborated with Bitch, Please and Gold Digger, but I'd thought I'd make some new blogging buddies and be apart of a larger blogging community. You can read all about art, fashion, and media at the 212 Dressing Room Blog. All of my posts are tagged with my name at the byline.

Keep Reading.
W.

milan: versace

Electric relaxation is an apt hybrid of words to describe Versace’s spring 2009 men’s wear collection. A men’s wear collection minus neckties, shirts unbuttoned to the sternum, pants that were the opposite of stovepipes, wispy summer scarves, and an overall lightness in being culminated in a redefinition, or refinement depending on how you want to phrase it, of what we think of when it comes to casual menswear. This Versace man is confident, comfortable, at ease, all qualities that are certainly attractive. Perhaps then it makes sense that Donatella dedicated this collection to “the man of the moment”, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. I’m not sure that I could see Obama sporting a tank with a screen-printed plume of smoke coiling up his abdomen, but the strength in these clothes is what people see in Obama—refreshing, cool, and powerful without waving a big stick.

Over the past few seasons at the women’s and men’s labels, there has been a relatively dramatic aesthetic shift at Versace. The new Versace ideal is someone who wants bold, streamlined clothes that exude a certain kind of purity in their subtleness and sensual tailoring. Trenches with interesting flap details, snappy little Army influenced jackets, and a white button down with a zipper slashed across the arm showed the influence of former Cloak designer and current creative contributor to the men’s wear line, Alexandre Plokhov. His strength as a tailor with a sharp edge was beautifully put to use in one button suits (Who wants to bother with more than one when you look that good?) and slim shawl collared suit jackets paired with shorts. Call it a new Casual Friday uniform, but Versace supplied the goods for men who want to look effortlessly and casually put together.

Donatella is smart enough and respectful enough not to forget the roots of the brand. The creamy color palette and electric sheen on the clothes would be perfect for any true Milanese playboy. For next spring, throw away those ties and maybe every man can have a taste of this good life Donatella promises.

the woman

Charlize Theron in Narciso Rodriguez
at "The Late Show with David Letterman" in New York
3 things:
1. Who ever was privileged enough to zip Charlize into that dress is one lucky son of a bitch.
2. Told ya Narciso understands a woman can look as sexy going as she does coming.
3. If only her new movie was getting as good of reviews as she looks in this dress.

P.S. I haven't seen a big summer movie since "Iron Man" and I can't wait until "The Dark Night." Do you think "Wanted" will hold me over?

the man

Clive Owen in Giorgio Armani
at the Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2009 collection in Milan
And I thought I perfected the shades of gray look.

man at work

New York Rangers left wing Sean Avery
photographed at the Men's Vogue closet
I didn't know interns were allowed to work topless at Men's Vogue.

milan: alexander mcqueen

Body by God, clothes by Alexander McQueen was the vibe at his spring 2009 menswear collection. The relationship between man and his body has definitely changed over the last century or so, especially in this crazy new millennium of “metrosexual”, sexual fluidity quickly becoming the norm (Does anybody know what team anybody plays on anymore?), and womenswear influencing menswear more and more (Who wore skinny jeans first?), it would only take a mind like Alexander McQueen’s to shake it up and break it down in a way you’ve never thought of.

The body was supreme focus of the collection, inside and out. Nude was the prominent color, established by the turtleneck and blazer combo at the start of the show. From there on out, real and designed flesh made an appearance on shirts, bodysuits that looked like something Slim Goodbody might wear, and nets of flesh colored fabric that exposed the torso underneath a suit jacket. McQueen also played with screen-printed shirts that looked like blood was dripping down the body but in fact was a sanguine plume of smoke (A new trend he and Donatella are trying to start?). A cloud of smoke looked like a ribcage on a suit jacket. Such innovative ideas are part of McQueen’s bark, but his bite is in the classic tailoring of the sharp jackets and pants in the collection. They may not look like something every man would want to wear, but any man can’t resist good tailoring.

For such a naughty collection, it’s hard to imagine this sort of exposing of the male form will attract a wide male audience. McQueen has never been synonymous with commerciality, but these aren’t clothes intended for the masses, and yet their base concept will more than likely be highly influential. A man who wants clothes from this directional provocateur will recognize that it’s going to be all about the body come next spring.

first look: the curious case of benjamin button

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
directed by David Fincher
December 19, 2008

This looks way more surreal than I could have imagined it.