Oakridge Style

Milan’s men’s fashion week is almost here. Here, who’s doing shows, and why we’re excited.

Who’s showing: John Galliano is showing his diffusion line, Galliano is holding a presentation, which makes us think he might launch menswear under the same name, Alexander McQueen is coming to the catwalk-diverting from his film-showing last season (we’re simply dying to see what he does with men’s shoes–after the alien heels he showed for women in Spring 2010), and Pringle is coming back to the runway. We’re sad to hear he’s not doing a runways show, but thrilled that Roland Mouret is debuting his first menswear line in Paris. He reportedly said that men can’t walk down a runway.

Who’s not: Missoni and Moschino aren’t doing shows this season (sigh).

Hot menswear terms this year
Meggings: mens’ leggings
Heavage: mens’ cleavage
Man clutch: a small bag meant just for men

Get the Look
Find runway-inspired looks at J2, Boys’ Co, and Harry Rosen

Spring 2010 fashion weeks showed a rainbow of color on faces. In New York, a few of our favourite designers deserve mention. In Milan and Paris, different looks were everywhere–but highlighting one feature was tops. 

New York
A rainbow of colours set off eyes at Derek Lam
Bursts of color were wrapped in hair at Zac Posen
Rodarte created tribal art-inspired body paint
Geisha-inspired makeup complimented the collection at Marc Jacobs
Tuleh showed rosy faces
Tommy Hilfiger did dreamy blowouts 

Milan and Paris
Balenciaga did neon and tribal influenced eyes
Charcoal, smoky eyes were sultry at Lanvin
Glossy, red-hot lips shone at Prada
Plum kisses put purple in the spotlight at Bottega Veneta
Hair was frizzy at Etro, and even bigger–in full afros–at Louis Vuitton

Get the Look
Ask the pros at Murale or MAC for tips on how to pull this look off, and what beauty products will work best for you.

LET’S HEAR IT
Highlight one feature or all?

Despite Fall 09’s penchant for gargantuan heels, designers at Milan Fashion week were all about petite kitten heels.

We, and Andre Leon Tally–who called them “towering torture chambers”–were a bit frightened of the enormous heels high-tailing it down the Fall 09 runways. We loved the look of them: Nanette Lepore’s sandals, boots and ankle wrap pumps on studded platforms; Michael Kors’ black patent leather, strappy brown and neon-tipped toes and architectural platform soles; 3.1 Phillip Lim’s collaboration with Christian Laboutin and resulting super high platforms-especially lace-up ankle boots; Christian Siriano’s pee-toe pumps with chain metal–but who can walk in these things?

It was with a sigh of relief for the state of our pedicures that we greeted the announcement that Milan designers–who, as Italians, know a thing or two about shoes–let the world know that kitten heels are back. That’s right, the low-lying, petite, oh-so-cute and even comfortable heel is haute.

Marni showed tiny heels, including a pair inspired by rubber navy sandals bought in Chinatown; Missoni showed braided, strappy, Ibiza-inspired sandals; and Dolce & Gabbana–though shirking the kitten heel–showed flat, yes flat, velvet slippers and lace-up Oxfords.

Get the Look
Find your runway-inspired kitten heels at either Aldo, Browns, Geox, J2, Kris + Cris, Nine West or Sterling Shoes. 

LET’S HEAR IT
Kitten heels: chic or boring?