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

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?

We’re back with more top menswear picks from the Spring 2010 collections in Milan. As diverse as they were, a few themes popped up: soft fabrics, structured silhouettes, and fresh colour.

Dolce & Gabbana
The biggest news at D&G wasn’t actually their designs. It was Jesus Luz-Madonna’s newest boy toy-walking the runway. But Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce’s collection was pure 80s delight: Jesus wore a glitter jacket, there was sparkling embroidery on a black bath robe, a sequined tank top, and glimmering scarves.

Ermenegildo Zegna
A more casual side was on display at Zegna this collection. Easy clothes and hats topped off suede blousons, a safari jacket, and tailored suits in linen, wool and silk. This spring’s Zegna man is a well-travelled business broker.

Jil Sander
Designer Raf Simons’ collection was in homage to a piece by Japanese artist Tsuguharu Foujita, and, according to Simons, the message was love. Elongated tunic tops and streamlined polo shirts were set off by round, soft illustrations against clean, geometric lines. We’re not quite sure how these pieces equal love, but we liked them anyway. 

Missoni
Angela Missoni’s pieces were about travel, but also history. Faded colors and worn fabrics were highlights, plus woven textures or knotted patchworks. These showed up on the trench coats and Missoni’s signature knits.

LET’S HEAR IT
What’s your fave menswear look?