Menswear: Denis Colomb F/W 2010

[L-A: you know what? I think we’re going to promote Anthony to full time contributor. We’ll still have guest bloggers, but he’s going above and beyond. And if you saw the week I’m in the middle of, you’d know why we need staffers. Yay! Unpaid staff!]

Anthony: It’s time for another foray into menswear and today’s entry is just confusing. I am all for experimentation with forms of fashion, but this is just lazy. Touted as one of the hottest designers in cashmere – because there’s a specialty your mother will be proud of – is Denis Colomb. This array of fabric seems to have draped its way into the hearts of those apparently more in tune with design than I am.

Denis Colomb Fall/Winter 2010

Denis Colomb is an architect turned designer and has created a “super-stylish lifestyle and knitwear label” which has become renowned for cashmere pieces. Their words, totally not mine. I suppose the quotation marks gave it away.

You would think that a clothing line from an architect would be based upon precision and construction, potentially creating some of the most universal pieces in menswear since Tom Ford revolutionized the suit.

However, Denis Colomb decided to go an “alternate” route – my word not theirs. The placement of quotations and tone of sarcasm is a delicate dance.

Just look at these things.

I guess I wasn’t conscious when they decided that the words “tarp” and “jacket” could be used interchangeably. Sure, the “pieces” are 100% cashmere but does that really validate the choice to completely abandon structure? Actually, I take back those snarky quotation marks because these really are just pieces of fabric. This collection looks like the work of an anaemic Jedi Knight who was too busy using the Force to PVR Project Runway to throw a stitch together. How are these at all functional? Who is going to wear this around town, outside of brave men who work in the fashion industry? Unless I’m ready to take on an evil Empire with a garish haircut as my only defence, I do NOT need one of these.

Furthermore, who needs to spend that much on a robe? Let’s call a spade a spade here, these are robes. I think I’ll just pop into the mall and pick up a Snuggie for less than $25. That way I’m saving money and gaining some trend cred. Colomb couldn’t do half the things the Snuggie has done for leisure leopard print home furnishings.

Must Have Accesory: A lightsabre.

This is one of the main reasons why I do not look to fashion houses for new wardrobe pieces. How could I bring myself to buy one of these? It’s a bloody blanket! I think the lesson here is that clearly not all up and coming styles are going to be functional and act more as an expression of the craft of garment making. Personally, I take my style from what I know and what I like and that, my friends, is a tip and a trick.