Friday, June 29, 2012

Highlights from Milan Spring/Summer 2013

Every year, the last weeks of June and the first of July are a special occasion for Menswear due to the Fashion Weeks held in Milan and Paris. In my opinion, Milan is always a runway filled with classic elegance and sharp Italian sartorial collections; collections which blend past fashions with modern trends. On the other hand Paris is more avant garde and revolutionary, while showcasing some elegant pieces as well.

This year Milan Fashion Week and its top designers gave the world a glimpse of what is expected on Spring/Summer 2013. A season where most designers opted for dark colors such as midnight blue, navy blue, black, gray, brown, and purple. Yet, there were exceptions where a bright and summery color palette was used; my personal favorite. Summer is all about color, although it's okay to drop some hints of dark colors for formal night events. 

Metallic fabrics and detailing were all over the place: jackets, pants, belts etc. Scarves were also a common trend in many collections. There was a perfect balance between miniamlism and simplicity, barroque detailing, and classic effortless elegance. During the last 2 years Milan's Spring/Summer fashion shows had collections that were very inspired in the 60s; this year it was an interesting mix: 60s mod/ethnic/Italy, 80s neon color block, 70s rock/disco, and 90s minimalism.

Below some highlights from the Spring/Summer 2013 collections.



Bottega Veneta added a modern/futuristic touch to the bohemian Baja hood with interesting patterns as the one above. The monocromatic brown/sand/beige look was common throughout their collectionn. Trussardi showed a classic ensemble made up of white pants and black jacket with a greyish scarf as the finishing touch.



This year Canali decided to focus more on formal wear than on an ethnic look inspired on India like last year with pieces such as the ones above and below. An Italian pinstripe suit, Miami Vice, East Coast preppy, British Gentlemen, Man about Town, and metallic/print jackets were some highlights from Canali.


If you have a party at the club next Summer, Cavalli is your best option with its 70s rocker/disco/futuristic/night/space inspired collection. Although most of the color palette featured dark colors, the hues were somehow bright, creating a good contrast with a dark setting. Metallic jackets, eyecatching print jackets, and scarves were widely used by Cavalli. Ensembles with lots of attitude.





Dolce and Gabbana paid a brilliant tribute to Italian fashion in the 50s and 60s. An original runway that featured non-models showcasing bold print shirts and lots of stripes. Stripes definitely evoke a Mediterranean summer.


To the beat of Electronic's (research about them) "Getting Away With It", Ferragamo delivered one of the most eyecatching and vivid collections in Milan. It was all about color blocking and 80s neon, Summer was in the air. A fun, youthful, and modern way to reinterpret classic pieces. To be worn like on the runway or separately, this pieces will definitely reflect your personality.




To wrap up these highlights, let's look at Gucci. This season it featured a warm hue collection with monocromatic double breasted, double/single buttonedsuits. Its floral prints and "electric" pinstripe suit were worth noticing as well.




Photos: GQ

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Robert Redford: American Menswear Icon


Another outtake from the iconic Ron Galella photo of Robert Redford stepping out a car in 1974. A photo that epitomizes American Menswear style in the early 70s. An ensemble that can easily be worn nowadays and still look amazing as it did back then.



Photo: Tumblr

Monday, June 25, 2012

A Gucci Summer


Gucci succesfully captured in its Spring/Summer 2004 collection some of the essence from late 60s menswear: print shirts and neckerchieves.

Whether it's a paisley or floral print shirt; or  a monochromatic-multicolored neckerchief, these are two essentials for this Summer.

I'll be featuring later this week highlights from Milan Spring/Summer 2013's Fashion Week, where memorable collections have graced the runway this last weekend.

 Photo: Styleregistry

Friday, June 22, 2012

Richard Gere: Poolside by Herb Ritts


To start the Summer nothing better than this 1982 poolside photograph of Richard Gere taken by Herb Ritts, an American photographer who pretty much defined fashion photography in the 80s.



Photo: Tumblr/Herb Ritts

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

4 Years of Retro Vintage Mod Style

Today, on the 4th anniversary of "Retro Vintage Mod Style" I would like to thank all of my readers with a short film reminiscent of the one I created for the blog's 2nd anniversary. A film that honors the style of those icons featured within the last 2 years on the blog.

Thanks to all for your support during these 4 years!



If you would like to see the film created 2 years ago, click here: http://retrovintagemodstyle.blogspot.com/2010/06/2-years-of-retro-vintage-mod-style.html

Video: Youtube, Tumblr, & Flickr.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Bekhim Fehmiu & Candice Bergen: "The Adventurers" in Venice


Candice Bergen & Bekim Fehmiu starred in 1970's "The Adventurers". This film was based on Harold Robbins' best selling novel from 1966. 

The photo below shows Bergen & Fehmiu taking a tour around Venice's iconic canals. Candice Bergen portrayed Sue Ann Daley, a lonely heiress; while Bekhim Fehmiu was Dax Xenos, an international womanizer. It is actually believed that Harold Robbins based the character of Dax Xenos on Porfirio Rubirosa.

Worth noticing are the simple yet bold Summer ensembles worn by both actors.

 

Photo: Tumblr

Friday, June 15, 2012

Don Johnson: Miami Vice Perfection

Don Johnson wore one of the most outstanding ensembles in "Miami Vice" circa 1984-1985. This ensemble was made up entirely of a white suit paired with a light blue shirt, pastel pink tie, and tortoise Wayfarers.



Photo: Tumblr

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Yves Saint Laurent: Marrakech '66

Yves Saint Laurent photographed while visiting Marrakech in 1966, looking effortlessly elegant.



Photo: Tumblr

Monday, June 11, 2012

Lord Lichfield: Summer at Porto Ercole


Famed British photographer, Lord Lichfield was photographed alongside 3 friends at Porto Ercole, Italy by Slim Aarons in the Summer of 1970. Lord Lichfield was known as well for his impeccable sense of style.

This Summer bright colored pants, such as the ones worn by Lord Lichfield, are a popular trend.


Photo: Tumblr

Friday, June 8, 2012

Paul McCartney: Ethnic Elegance

Paul McCartney and his bandmates wore ethnic inspired ensembles while visiting Greece in July 1967. Below a photo of Paul arriving at the airport in Athens. He is seen wearing white pants paired with a Mao neck paisley embroided tunic and some beads.



Photo: Tumblr

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

White Coolness


A proof of why white is a must during the Summer, according to David Bailey in 1975.


Photo: Ciaovogue

Monday, June 4, 2012

Missoni Spring/Summer 1997


The last years of the 90s were a time where fashion aimed towards minimalism while looking back at the 70s in some cases. An example of this can be seen on this photo below that features a Missoni multistriped polo from Spring/Summer 1997.



Photo: Uomoclassico

Friday, June 1, 2012

Summer at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc


A magnificent view of the pool at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc captured by Slim Aarons in the summer of 1976.


Photo: Tumblr