Bally
Running from opulent evening wear to sportswear, Bally’s Fall 2017 collection consisted of purple double breasted coats, tartan blazers, and two piece suits with bow ties influenced by the GO-GO 70’s of clubbing with Mic and Bianca Jagger. Metallic slip-on shoes with oversize buckles, animal print bags were accessory highlights.
Damir Doma
During Milan Fashion Week the Black and Paper visited the Damir Doma showroom for a look at the brands latest collection.
Mr. Doma stayed true to his brands philosophy with a mixture of knitwear and leather materials this season combined with rebel shapes. The Fall 2017 looks were dominated by rustic colors with in soft hues.
Black and Paper Re-See of the Gucci Fall 2017 Collection.
The looks presented this season were inspired by the fantasies of Alessandro Michele. There were 100 looks with many pieces ranging from oriental umbrellas to my personal favorite, sheer suits. Feeling a bit like a couture collection, there were many rich details and embellishments, ranging from embroiled pearls on cuffs and male cut out pants suits. Gucci is a brand of accessories, and all were on hand from the new bag with a symmetrical cut and flats in a gladiator style made of styles or the jacquard shoes. There was no overall universal theme this season, except using every color in the spectrum; while I was going over the looks, I was reminded of the cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, fun, optimistic, creative from a designer who is looking to the future.
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Black and Paper coverage in Milan. Quick images and write ups from Milan Fashion Week. Stay tuned for more coverage.
Casadei-Mr. Casadi was tamed this season in a way but I liked the thigh high boots.
Ultrachic theme this season was Back to School with humor.
Celebrating it’s 90th anniversary, Furla stayed with strength by launching variations of the MyBag, a playful collection handbags with different flaps.
Vladimiro Gioia’s collection of furs might not be for the politically correct but his other looks of organza and silk hit the spot.
Fratelli Rossetti decided on personality this season for the new collection. I am excited to see the brand break out of the comfort zone. It is a masculine collection yet still classic.
A label making strides with its own definition of femininity veering towards the masculine side. I was pleased with this collection.
Roberto Cavalli decadence rock&roll looks are for the adventurous, the label never disappoints.
Dubai based fashion brand AAVVA was founded in 2006 by Lebanese Ahmad Ammar and Brazilian Vincenzo Visciglia.
The Black and Paper interview with Fashion Designers Ahmad and Vincenzo.
How did you guys start in the fashion business?
Ahmad: We met in 2011, while working on the same project in Dubai. That project was in our field of engineering. Soon we realized that we both had a vision when it came to fashion, we decided to start our own fashion line, AAVVA. I also had a degree from ESMOD Fashion School in Beirut.
Vincenzo was involved in the fashion and modeling fields before. Everything pointed in the direction for us to start a fashion brand.
Vincenzo: Dubai, the city with all its dynamics was also a driving source of inspiration for both of us. We strongly felt that we could do something in the field of fashion especially in a multicultural city like Dubai. Even though we’d studied engineering, we felt certain fashion we could make a contribution to the fashion field. We followed our instincts.
Do you have a favorite piece from the Resort Collection?
A: We have a couple of pieces that we really like.
Our favorite pieces from the resort collection are the fringe dress that we are making it in 2 styles, the cotton thread fringes as well the fully beaded Swarovski crystals fringes, this dress has been worn by many celebrities like Joelle and Ola and other fashion influencers, as well, it was our top selling in Galleries Lafayette Dubai Mall.
What is the goal of your designs?
A: Our goal is to express our vision and background as engineers while portraying our love for fashion, art, and style. We want to be able to bring out the best incorporating our backgrounds as engineers.
What is your vision of modern feminine fashion?
A: We design for the modern, feminine woman of today. And we always make sure to emphasis this in each piece. Femininity is something that really represents both Arabic and Brazilian woman, so here comes AAVVA, the mix between the rich Lebanese and the colorful Brazilian culture!
What type of woman do you have in mind when you design?
A: We design for the modern yet feminine woman of today!
What designer has influenced you the most?
A: We believe inspiration is all around. J
V: We both agree that we get our influences from so many talented designers, both Arab and non-Arab. We want to stay up to date, in style. Also, our inspiration comes from our customers; the people we design for are very influential on our creations.
Being located in a place that is both conservative and progressive, is it a challenge bringing the two together as far as designs?
A: Conservative is never really a challenge, we know our Arab clients love our pieces. They come to buy many of our stunning looks to wear for their events like weddings or a red carpet gala.
V: Progressiveness of the place also helps us to keep track with what’s going on! Obviously, we are constantly aware of the progress that is being made all around and we are lucky to grow and progress together with Dubai. As we mentioned, UAE was always our source of power to start and grow, the source of our inspiration.
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Raf Simons made his debut at Calvin Klein during NYWFW. I can honestly say I had no clue what was going on concerning the collection. An iconic American brand in need of restart Mr. Simons with his pedigree was suppose to give a boast to the label, make it Chic Again.
Simons first collection is a bit of everything looking for direction. CK has been a brand known for minimalism, sexuality, and denim.
His interpretation of denim is to make it like a rigid Catholic School uniform. The Minimalistic looks were like crayons out of a box, a bit of a mess. The Sexy looks were more vulgar with the Nude Sheer Shirts for men.
I have high hopes for the designer even if this collection was a bit of a misfire feeling like a vintage reworking. Raf’s work at Jil Sander and his own label were the stuff of legends.
Do you fold or do you roll for a trip? One of the main concerns for men packing for travel is how minimalize wrinkles. Philips has solved this problem with a convenient device Steam&Go 2 in 1 Handheld Garment Steamer. Compact, able to fit into a carry on or a 48 hour bag, the Steamer is the perfect device for quick touch ups of pants, shirts, ties, and suits. Clothes are ready to go and wrinkle free. The question of fold or roll has been answered.
For more information on Philips Steam&Go 2 in 1 Handheld Garment Care Device go to: Philips
A Black and Paper Production
Photographer:Dale Grant
Stylist:Hercules Terres
During Milan Fashion Week Men I paid a visit to the Jimmy Choo Presentation. Celebrated for the subtle and not so subtle added elements of blink design. The label continues to establish itself in menswear shoes. This season the highlights were the more lux casual shoes.
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The exquisite decadence Louis Leeman footwear is for a man who is not afraid of expressive, shoes of hedonistic luxury and style.
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