Recently in Men's Apparel Category

9235_133960805915_683025915_3020202_5047240_n.jpg

On Monday, September 14, designer Malan Breton presented his Spring 2010 collection at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan. The collection contained his label's first menswear pieces in addition to the womenswear he is known for.

Breton, who competed on the third season of Project Runway, had front-row support from fellow Runway alums Diana Eng (Season Two) and Terri Stevens (Season Five). Holly Kiser and Ronnie Kroell (Make Me a Supermodel, Season One) made appearances on the runway. Style expert Nolé Marin, Real Housewives of New York City's Alex McCord, and TV correspondent Maria Menounos were also in attendance.

Inspired by his childhood dance background, Breton had previously described wanting his show "to feel like a night at the Hollywood Bowl or the Met, a night at the ballet." On this count, he delivered. The 30-piece orchestra, courtesy of the Chelsea Symphony, set the tone for the event, which was built around romance and luxury. The refined collection of suits, dresses, and separates was elegantly sumptuous in lace, silk, and tuille. The palette was mostly soft pastels and nudes, with the occasional pop of bright red and blue.

9235_133960930915_683025915_3020222_549428_n.jpg

Halfway through the program, the audience members were treated to a taste of the ballet when a male dancer twirled his way up and down the runway to their surprised delight; a female dancer closed the show on a final graceful note.

The post-show buzz was overwhelmingly positive. Despite being pulled in all directions, from reporter to reporter and from friend to friend, Breton seemed endlessly patient and deeply appreciative of everyone's kind words.

Amid the swarm of activity, he graciously granted a brief moment to Chic Galleria. "I started in menswear; I used to make my own clothes," he explained. "So I kind of took my mental vision into womenswear and I just sort of rolled it back around this time for the men." Regarding his future designs, he laughed coyly. "I kind of like to surprise people!"

To keep up with him as he continues his creative journey, visit www.malanbreton.com


Pictured: Lana fresca in poppy three-piece suit with cotton dress shirt; nude tank dress with nude camisole in silk with nude and gold hooded kimono sleeved jacket. Photos courtesy of Malan Breton.

Catwalk_UGO0430.jpg

On Sunday, September 13, Custo Barcelona showed in The Tent--Bryant Park's largest Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week venue--for the first time. The packed tent's attendees--which included Ugly Betty's Mark Indelicato, Saturday Night Live's Kenan Thompson, America's Next Top Model judge Miss Jay, and socialite Tinsley Mortimer--bopped to the thumping club beat that set the stage for the fun and vibrant presentation.

Fans of designer Custo Dalmau's customary bright colors and breezy flash were not disappointed. Women walked the runway in fluttering dresses garnished with fringes; men were casually cool in suits with an eye-catching sheen. The parade of eye-popping hues evoked Mediterreanean beaches and a sexy party vibe.  

The Spanish label has dressed Charlize Theron, Antonio Banderas, and Shakira. Visit www.custo-barcelona.com to learn more.


Photo Credit www.europapress.es


d&gmensfall09.JPG
D&G Men's Fall 2009 Collection. Photos Courtesy of men.style.com
No matter our feelings about the war, we all can agree to support our troops. And whereas these fall looks aren't exactly dress blues, D&G does play homage with these military-inspired looks in their fall collection.

Although the military look promises to be a trend this fall, that doesn't mean you should dig out your old camouflage fatigues -- or buy anything in that traditional army green. Shop for a jacket that goes well with both denim jeans as well as a pair of pants -- and that can easily go from day to night.
9796-s.jpgQuality. Design. Style. These are the few simple elements that have made /baskit/ underwear one of the hottest-selling men's underwear brands since 2002.

The company's success has mostly been attributed to its efforts in providing guys with a hip, comfortable alternative, especially for modern men who want underwear that fits both their lifestyles and their bodies. Baskit underwear focuses on making gear that fits well and has a bit of style so it is pleasing to both the body and the eye. 

Today, seven years later, the /baskit/ brand has expanded to include its mainstream client base by creating products that men aren't afraid to wear. The breakthrough in the mainstream market is also evident in /baskit/'s advertising, which now includes graphics that appeal to the "everyman." And with its most recent video advertisement that has taken the blogging and online media world by storm, every man is sure to know that /baskit/ is the brand for them.

The video is a sequence of six average guys who strip down to their underwear, revealing their well-fit and fashionable /baskit/ underwear. The guys then proceed to take off their underwear and switch them with each other. But the one element about the video that appeals to most people is that average-looking guys are featured in the video as opposed to the typically muscular, overly handsome and clean-shaven guys most underwear companies are used to featuring in their advertisements. 

"Various mainstream companies such as American Apparel, Abercrombie & Fitch and Hugo Boss have found their niches within specific demographics of the mainstream community," explains Eric Schwers, owner of /baskit/ underwear. "Similarly, many brands and companies find their place within the LGBT community - which /baskit/ has already done. Now, we've found a market trend wherein straight guys also enjoy wearing comfortable underwear that's also fashionable. They say that their girlfriends appreciate them more when they're wearing a hot pair of underwear that also accents their figures."

The Colorado-based /baskit/ brand, which was started in 2002 by three fashion industry professionals, was purchased by Eric Schwers in 2007 in an effort to re-establish the brand across a broader market. Consistently since then, Schwers has launched the brand's newest lines of underwear, swimwear and loungewear, which in 2009, he promises will appeal to this even broader mainstream market.

"This is not your father's underwear," says Schwers. "/baskit/ styles are designed to highlight a man's body. Special cuts, contours and high impact accent colors make each pair of underwear fashionable and allow men the ability to express their own style. For 2009, /baskit/ will concentrate on expanding its reach into more mainstream markets with some edgy interpretations of classic underwear styles.

When /baskit/ was first introduced to the market in 2002, "there were plenty of well-known and mainstream brands on the market," adds Schwers. "But none were designed for a fashion-forward guy who wasn't afraid to branch out beyond the basic styles men have been wearing for years. /baskit/ was created to provide that hip, comfortable alternative for modern men who want underwear that fits their lifestyles."

Over the next year, guys can expect to find some of the hottest new underwear styles and design concepts coming from /baskit/ underwear. To purchase a pair of /baskit/ underwear or to find some of the newest styles, visit www.baskitwear.com.

baskit 'switch' video promo from Alex King & Mito Media on Vimeo.

Article written by Stephen J. Lucin.  Photo by Bruno Rand.

SPREAD_01_LOWRES.jpgFollowing an initiative to create a series of 'Guerilla' style stand-alone stores, D.S.DUNDEE bring the online retail experience to life again on Saturday 27th June 2009. The online retailer takes over the Cat & Mutton pub located on Broadway Market, Hackney, London E8, to create a pop up boutique for one day only.

Offering the company the opportunity to create a retail environment for it's customers, all products will be displayed in a bespoke format and the boutique will retail from 10am - 5pm. Fans of the brand can peruse, and purchase, the latest Spring Summer 2009 products alongside previous collections and archive items in the form of a highly anticipated sample sale. Discover the brand for yourself; but be quick, this one day event is destined to be a sell-out.

Highlights from the Spring Summer collection include;

    * Slim fit Summer weight merino wool V neck; Made in Scotland; £95
    * Limited Edition gingham shirts; Made in England; £90
    * Cotton worker shorts; Made in England; £60
    * Summer weight merino scarves; Made in Scotland; £25

Sale highlights include;

    * Leather Bomber (was £645) now £250
    * 3 piece Tweed Suit (was £495) now £295
    * Tartan Trousers (was £140) now £60
    * Organic Cotton Tee Shirts (was £35) now £15

The D.S.DUNDEE (DSD) brand was initially started in 1994 by long time friends, Oliver Pilcher & Jim Pickles. They met whilst Jim was at Edinburgh University and Oli was at Edinburgh College of Art and continue to ensure the Brand thrives today. With a change in direction for the current collections along with the appointments of MA graduates from the RCA; Elizabeth Reeds and Fiona Hillhouse, there is now an increased focus on British heritage and manufacture. The company has evolved and is fast becoming a sought after designer British brand.

Over The Rainbow

| | Comments (0)
brights.jpg
This summer, beat the financial depression with over the top brights in fashion's answer to credit crunch drabness.  Create a head to toe statement, clash neons, or pair a luminous shade with a base shade of black; anything goes, as long as it pops.  If you're a wallflower who can't face making such an impact, go for an eye catching belt or tie to make a more reserved nod to the trend.

Images: Jil Sander, Marc Jacobs, Lacoste, Dior Homme, men.style.com 

In The Nude

| | Comments (0)
In The Nude.jpg
Light and muted are the key words for summer, as flesh tones quietly reign supreme in new season's menswear.  Beige, cream and buttermilks all whisper understated elegance, and provide an air of expense and sophistication, whilst lightweight fabrics provide effortless cool as temperatures climb.  Draw your look together with a slightly darker belt or shoes, and don't be afraid to mix your nude tones for a high fashion edge.

Images: Lanvin, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Alexander McQueen, Versace, men.style.com  

Pump It Up

| | Comments (0)
sportswear.jpg
This season the catwalks were home to a variety of sports inspired menswear; from the formal shirt and tie parading as a tracksuit, with its matching loafers depicting the design of trainers, to more traditional workout wear, the gym was never far from the minds of designers such as Alexander McQueen and D&G.  Bring a sporty feel to your new season style with hoodies and light, tech friendly fabrics to keep you going for gold this spring.

Images: D&G, Alexander McQueen, DSquared2, men.style.com  

Military Exercise

| | Comments (0)
khaki.jpg
There's no need to camouflage your stylishness this season, as khaki becomes a shade to covert.  Soft fabrics and loose styles ensure that the military favourite is relaxed enough for the long summer days ahead, whilst retaining the formal smartness with which it is synonymous.  Try light trenches, knits and narrow leg trousers to really make the trend stand to attention.

Images: Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Etro, DKNY, Hermes, men.style.com 

In Too Depp

| | Comments (3)
intoodepp.jpg The eccentric style of Burton muse Johnny Depp seemed to take centre stage at a variety of spring shows, with Etro most notably taking unofficial inspiration from the star's rock star penchant for long scarves, fedoras and shades. Create your own homage to Depp by piling on the arts and crafts jewellery, ripped jeans and waistcoats, whilst pulling the look together with a classically tailored item such as a coat or blazer.

Images: Etro, men.style.com
Find out all the happenings at Chic Galleria! Subscribe to our Monday Newsletter or subscribe to Chic RSS feed and be the first in the know.

PhotobucketPhotobucket

Archives