MENSWEAR SS16

MENSWEAR SPRING/SUMMER 16' 

The Modern Man

The fashion world is always 5 steps ahead of the regular  Australian world pretty much always; we have only started  catching onto the previous seasons’ trends witnessed on the FW runway have begun being reincarnated onto the streets, and before we know it, ss16 is here to determine the trends for the warmer months. I never fail to find fashion magical – its ability to capture, inspire and lead the clothes we wear is astonishing. Whether we do it consciously or not, the things we wear are gathered from trends and ideas off the catwalk and big, internationally known designers; designers who tell the world whats in and what’s not, designers who determine what big- chain stores like Topshop, Forever 21, H&M etc. mass produce and distribute. Every season it’s like these designers release out rules and regulations (not actually…) that are followed to the dot by producers in order to gain profit, attention and acceptance by us, the consumers.

A good example for this, is the turtleneck trend. Before FW15, I have not seen a turtle-neck in sight (not including the occasional fashionista & dad ) , and now, all I see is turtle neck. It’s not a bad thing, don’t get me wrong- all I’m trying to say is that we are consciously and subconsciously ruled by the fashion world that determine the pieces we wish and want to pick (mainly because others around us are wearing them too, but also cause we like it) in order to feel pleased and on-trend with the thing we are wearing. This doesn’t just go out to the womenswear fashion world- menswear acts in much the same way ( even though less males are likely to go out and buy themselves a new wardrobe to suit the newest fashion trend), oversized coats, turtlenecks, sneakers , bombers, softer tailoring and patterns have been the recurring trend in FW menswear on the streets (witnessed mainly from MBFWA 15 streetwear photos) – of course determined by FW15 menswear runway shows. 

ss16 menswear has big things coming for us; I love menswear collections because each year they get more diverse, gender neutral and respectively more fashionable. Year and years ago, I hardly doubt that menswear designers focused on bright prints and shorts shorter than a girls gymwear shorts as the basis of their designs , but now it’s happening and there’s nothing more liberating than seeing such crazy, gorgeous designs transformed into menswear. So long are the days where women only get to have colourful prints and intricate designs- the world around us is changing at a rapid pace in terms of acceptable, gender neutrality and artistic expression and the fashion world is the biggest displayer of it. Living in such a world where society tells us what we can and cannot wear based on our gender is a terrifying and disgusting place- we as a modern , progressing society have no time for such medieval values and beliefs. If women can wear pants and tailored suits, why can’t men wear short shorts and pinks? What is wrong with that? Is one’s masculinity based on the amount of “MEN” colours they wear, the amount of “GUY” clothes they posses?? Last time I checked, a man is a man because he claims he’s a man, much like a woman is a woman because she claims she’s a woman. We as a society cannot determine what makes a man a man, and what makes a woman a woman just because one wishes to wear an item of clothing deemed the other sexes. All in all, the real pussies here are the ones who do not wish to accept the modern way of flexible and open thinking, and wish to bring down others for doing so. There’s nothing more agitating to me than knowing men all around the world get scruntinised and abused because they wished to wear something out of the ordinary of the societie’s wishes- mainly abused by guys who portray a superiority, misogynistic complex and will end up as losers in life.  We can all wear what we want, we can all  be who we want. The only ones who can determine what we wish to wear are ourselves.

With all that ranting out the way, menswear ss16 is the portrayal of modern menswear and I’m loving it to no end. I always have super high expectations when it comes to runway, and each and every time I am not disappointed in the slightest. SS16 focused on print play, modern suiting and branching out of the traditional colour palette. Although we saw a bunch of neutrals in FW15, this time around we are seeing pops of colour and ferocious lines. I guess that’s ss for you, but damn I am loving it. Menswear fashion for me is a little bit different from womenswear fashion- I get womenswear fashion just a tad more, and am more involved in womenswear designers; nonetheless I love the time when menswear shows come around because it reminds me that there’s so much more to fashion than what we see on the streets. 

front row seaters... VIP vibes 

some quirky fashion on the streets of the menswear runway scene. loving the new direction of menswear fashion, bright colours and relaxed shapes 

the gorgeous get up @ Burberry Prossum SS16. 

Without further ado....

Here are some of my favourite menswear runway shows from the ss16 season, enjoy.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

 double breasted coats, extravagant and luxurious yet quirky prints and an emphasis on the modern, relaxed tailoring is just one of the things that made Alexander McQueen SS16 so brilliant. hints of inspiration from traditional japanese attire mixed with the classic parisian and timeless suit is what makes this show stand out. 

DOLCE & GABBANA

 Dolce&Gabbana is known for it's brilliant print work and what better way to show this skill than at ss16 LCM? Gorgeous satins with daring print work, furs, mixed media and the occasional bathroom attire was the go-to for D&G. Full length pant, buttoned up suits and mid-length printed coats with no distinct tailoring cuts. loving it. 

CRAIG GREEN

 definitely taking on inspiration from the Japanese samurai/ tai kwan do attire / mean girls, Craig Green delivered a colourful, unique and quirky line up we can only dream off. From full length yellow on yellow action, to rain parka mimicking baby blue combo- all combined with a loafer or sneaker- create a casual, modern and fashionable look sought after by the fashion gurus of today. 

NASIR MAZHAR 

 This line up reminded me of a cross between army, KGB gang and magic mike- awesome. Models strutted out ferociously wearing black on black, camouflage attire, mouth-gear, jewellery, oversized pants + bombers and decided to, on a number of occasions, to ditch the top half of the outfit all together in exchange for some chest gear. Needless to say, the badass effect was re-created. 

COMME DES GARÇONS 

 Comme Des Garçons: the collection that never fails to surprise, inspire and weird me out a little bit every time. For ss16, CDG went for a RTW, casual look for their line up focusing on structured blazers, printed suits and crisp oversized shirts. The topping of the cake was definitely the head pieces- vibrant yellow wig... things... as well as that gorgeous oversized beret. All paired with some polka dot shoes. brilliant. 

OLIVIA POMPILLO
A bit of Harry Potter mixed with the schoolboy nerd is what Andrea Pompillo SS16 brought the menswear fashion scene. Subtle print work, mixing colour palettes and creating a stand out effect by utilising contrasting shades to maximise effect. Neck scarves, sweeping bangs, ankle length socks and those humongous glasses are what I love most about this line up, as well as that gorgeous blue _ black striped coat.

TOPSHOP TOPMAN

TopMan ss16 was all about knees and flares. Rain coat inspired jackets paired with shorts shorter than gym gear shorts to create a sports luxe effect, all with a perfecto colour combo to keep things high fashion and complimentary sneaker foot wear. Huge flared pants in a variety of shades; from pink, striped, blue, denim all the way down to black- all paired with structured cropped jackets, re-created the looks conventionally restricted to women only by society. Not anymore. 

CHRISTOPHER SHANNON

One of my favourite line ups this season, Christopher Shannon really took 'shower inspiration' to another level. Mesh, raincoat inspired frocks combined with hues of pinks, greys and timeless whites to keep things simplified yet modern. Monochrome and Duo-chrome was the go-to, humongous sneakers were the perfect partner for every look, and shampoo in hair was just the finishing touch that was needed to create one hella line up. 

AGI&SAM

The stand out point for Agi& Sam's ss16 line up was definitely the eye-capturing face paint combined with neutral, gorgeous layered looks to add complexity and a quirky touch to an otherwise timeless line up. Oversized shorts and jackets as well as a loose approach to dressing- the go-to look for ss16. loving the addition of wraps around the waist. 

GIVENCHY

One of my other favourites from this menswear season. Loving the dark colour palette with the addition of subtle JESUS prints - a dark approach to modernity. Givenchy is one of my favourite designers, I always love their stuff due to their incredible tailoring skills, brilliant ideas and a great eye for detail. Man skirts, mesh and loose fitting shirt pieces were just some of the features of this brilliant line up. absolutely marvellous. anyone who wears givenchy is a boss. 

BURBERRY PROSSUM

Burberry Prossum SS16- delivering us classic, timeless pieces with a unique twist. Re-creating the suit time and time again and not making it look boring is a gruelling task, and what better way to give the gruelling task to one of the worlds leading fashion design houses? Count on Burberry to deliver the goods every time. Animal prints, satin neck scarves to soften looks, loafers with pops of vibrant colour and of course the modern tailoring approach of slim fitting slacks + blazer combo works to make Burberry reign supreme. 

COACH

Brb, trying to stop hyperventilating. Coach ss16 impressed me to no ends; not only did it deliver eye-capturing, unique, never-seen before prints and styles but it was the PERFECT inspiration for my own design works. Love Love Love. Oversized bombers with vibrant, pastel, abstract prints. Sneakers. Leather Jackets. Statement Coats. Animal Prints. Sunnies. What does this line up lack? Absolutely nothing. By far my favourite line up of the ss menswear 16 season. So friggen good, I'm contemplating on spending all my savings on that jacket (second from left). 

Thank you for reading loves, I hope to see all of you very very soon. I hope you enjoyed this years ss16 Menswear line ups as much as I did- a big shout out to all of the designers involved. You never fail to completely amaze me, and never fail to bring the best , never seen before stuff to us every time. Thank you very much.

NOTE: ALL PHOTOS TAKEN FROM GOOGLE.COM - RESPECTIVELY THE OWNERS' PHOTOGRAPHS AND NOT MINE. I TAKE NO CREDIT FOR THE PHOTOS DISPLAYED IN THIS BLOGPOST.

thanks for reading& stay tuned for more...

Vera x