GQ GERMANY + RICK OWENS

more after the jump ...

KRIS VAN ASSCHE MENSWEAR 2011

POSTCARDS FROM PARIS

ACNE S/S 2011

I love ACNE!

GIVENCHY S/S 2011

Sure to be a controversial collection, Riccardo Tisci dreamt of murderous clowns, Tarzan and Hannibal Lecter for spring! I love anything M. Tisci does, so count me in.

BALMAIN 2011

Looks like BALMAIN might finally hit their stride with their latest (overpriced) menswear offerings.

Visit Fashionindie for more photos.

PARIS: RICK OWENS, COMME DES GARÇONS

RICK OWENS S/S 2011

Rick Owens didn't stray too far from his signature look for this collection, and that is more than acceptable.

I LOVE this bracelet!

COMME DES GARÇONS S/S 2011

Rei Kawakubo gave us skulls. Skulls on suits, shorts, shoes, heads and dresses!

Alexander McQueen famously confessed his love for Kawakubo, citing her as the only designer worth paying for. I see her use of the skull-print as a quiet homage to McQueen. Do you?

PARIS: BEHOLD, THE MAN-ROMPER

ALEXIS MABILLE S/S 2011

Paris: the icing on the cake that is fashion week. Rick Owens, Riccardo Tisci and the amazing Alexis Mabille all turned out exquisite collections; I'm very fond of Monsieur Mabille's prissy tree nymphs. What could be more exciting than this:

I detect mass hysteria around this collection, kind of like BALMAIN-ia 2009. 

POSTCARDS FROM MILAN

A few random looks from Milan:

DSQUARED2 S/S 2011

Can't go wrong with hot guys in their underwear!

MARNI S/S 2011

I love the sunglasses!

MOSCHINO S/S 2011

This is actually really awful.

COSTUME NATIONAL S/S 2011

All of my favorite colors; American Psycho vibes = A+

JEGGINGS ON DUDES: OUI OU NON?

VERSACE Spring 2011

I read this article at Fashionista about "jeggings," or jean-leggings for the uninitiated. They're basically skinny jeans that are skintight without being uncomfortable, hence the added "legging" component (stretch-cotton, elastic, whatever). Fashionista calls jeggings a "weird trend from men's fashion week," I call it "my daily wardrobe." I concede that dudes who wear jeggings should exercise a great deal of caution upon wearing (do they make your junk look weird? and are you thin enough for this?).

EMPORIO ARMANI Spring 2011

I wear jeggings everyday. As a male of (relatively) smaller stature, I learned long ago that skinny jeans are great for elongating your figure, provided that you are in fact skinny enough to wear a skinny jean. A jegging designed specifically for a man and all of his parts would be ideal, and it looks like we'll be seeing them on the market soon. I swear by the Current/Elliott "Legging" as well as J Brand's many varieties of skintight denim. And I just bought the sickest pair of black leather Rag and Bone leggings that I will never take off when winter comes around. So, I clearly have no objection to the man-jegging. Do you?

MILAN: GUCCI

Gucci remains the definition of conspicuous luxury (aside from Louis Vuitton and Hermes, perhaps). Tom Ford's successor Frida Giannini understands the Gucci customer: monied, well-traveled and reverential to Gucci legend. Frida never disappoints, even when she's toning it down.

I am most impressed by the short-shorts (which are everywhere; gentlemen, I hope you've kept up with your fitness regimens) and the always-amazing accessories. The detailing is surprisingly subtle, but fantastic:

And this backpack is it:

MILAN: ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Perhaps as a consequence of recent history, Sarah Burton and co. offered a sobering collection for Alexander McQueen. Yet in contrast to the house's last womenswear collection (which was inspired by the art of the Dark Ages, and in itself a break from McQueen's signature runway theatrics), this mens presentation lacked the spiritual, sublime aspects that became de rigueur in McQueen's final designs. What we see now is a bit 2+2=4; a few really fabulous coats, roomy pants, elegantly dyed and constructed sportcoats ... but paired with a hodgepodge of pieces that look illogical in proportion and wearability which ultimately left me confused and a little sad. Tell me, what do you think?

MILAN: TRUSSARDI 1911

Milan Vukmirovic's designs for the slept-on Trussardi 1911 are becoming a personal favorite. His latest collection is simple, sexy, wearable and cheeky. Vukmirovic isn't afraid to dress his man up in nautical Warhol-stripes (in the picture above), Native American prints or leopard spots:

... or down in a simple white T-shirt, highwaters and short-shorts. A little something for everyone, n'est-ce pas?