From 16 to 19 January 2010, the Italian fashion capital will host the Milan Men’s Fashion edition, dedicated to autumn-winter 2010-2011 collections.
Either coloured or black&white, casual or elegant, accessories or minimal look, four days to discover all the previews dedicated to men.

Here the calendar of fashion shows:
Saturday, 16 January 2010
09,30 CARLO PIGNATELLI OUTSIDE – Via Turati, 34
10,30 ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA STAMPA – Via Savona, 56 A
11,15 ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA BUYER – Via Savona, 56 A
12,00 C.P. COMPANY – Via Savona, 54
13,00 COSTUME NATIONAL HOMME – Via Tortona, 58
15,00 JIL SANDER – Via Beltrami, 5
17,00 EMPORIO ARMANI – Via Bergognone, 59
18,00 BURBERRY PRORSUM – Via Melegari, 3
19,00 LES HOMMES – Via Meda, 24

Sunday, 17 January 2010
09,00 BOTTEGA VENETA – Via Privata Ercole Marelli, 6
10,00 FRANKIE MORELLO – Via Palermo, 10
11,00 GIANFRANCO FERRE’ – Via Pontaccio, 21
12,00 ROBERTO CAVALLI – Via Burigozzo, 2
13,00 SALVATORE FERRAGAMO – Piazza Affari, 6
14,00 VIVIENNE WESTWOOD – Via Turati, 34
15,00 NEIL BARRETT – Viale Alemagna, 6
16,00 GIULIANO FUJIWARA –  Via Pier Lombardo, 14
17,00 GAZZARRINI -  Via Burlamacchi, 1
18,00 PRADA – Via Fogazzaro, 36
19,00 JOHN VARVATOS – Corso Italia, 21

Monday, 18 January 2010
09,30 PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND – Via Clerici, 10
10,15 ENRICO COVERI – Via San Barnaba, 48
11,00 DIRK BIKKEMBERGS – Corso Italia, 58
12,00 GUCCI – Piazza Oberdan, 2/B
13,00 JOHN RICHMOND – Giardini di Porta Venezia – Via Palestro
14,00 ETRO – Via Piranesi, 14
15,00 BYBLOS – Viale Montenero, 55
16,00 CANALI – Via Savona, 56
17,00 VERSACE – Piazza Vetra, 1
18,00 MONCLER GAMME BLEU – Via Tortona, 58
19,00 ALEXANDER MCQUEEN – Via Thaon De Revel, 3
20,00 ALEXANDER MCQUEEN – Via Thaon De Revel, 3

Tuesday, 19 January 2010
10,00 DSQUARED2 – Corso Italia, 58
11,00 GIORGIO ARMANI BUYER – Via Bergognone, 59
12,00 GIORGIO ARMANI STAMPA – Via Bergognone, 59
13,00 ERMANNO SCERVINO – Via Manzoni, 37
15,00 ICEBERG – Via Palermo, 10
16,00 Z ZEGNA – Via Savona, 56 A

Italian version

The cost is definitely prohibitive since in order to win this dream travel set you will need 157 thousand dollars, although it will be paid back giving you a personal satisfaction.

Italian version

We start from the clutch-bag Tod’s Special edition, elegant and chic with its satin closed by a buckle made of Swarovski crystals, recently worn both by Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.

On the opposite side, for the coming sunny weekends Vintage 55 realized a practical and versatile fringed shoulder bag, a limited edition following the style of the ‘70s.

A breath of spring thanks to fresh colours of Miss Biz Blower, the handbag by Dolce & Gabbana available in pale green with yellow nuances. The bag shows a logo that frontally shows off, set on a really chic silver plaque.

Solarity is a feature also of Riki Patent by Jimmy Choo. Its suede leather covering, internally very spacious, donates light and bright refinements to the external surface area. This is also due to the presence of golden sets in the transverse band.

From Patrizia Gucci, a homage to the family tradition with a limited edition bags collection “Patti Patti bags”. The bags are realized in the labs of selected Florentine craftsmen and well represent the artistic sophisticated style of the designer. Privileged materials: velour and printed calfskin are used for the solid basis and devoré silk for the elegant reversible lining.
Frida Giannini on the other hand dedicated an entire collection to the London shopping street, Slone Street, on which soon will re-open the brand’s boutique. The name is Sloaney Bag and, together with luggage, trolley, sacks and accessories, it represents the new must among celebrities. After the models “Gucci ♥ NY” and “1950s Postcard”, purposely created for the openings in New York and Rome, the new collectors’ bag bewitched international jet set stars too, first among all Kate Moss, seen in London carrying this new precious bag.

Sarah Jessica Parker chose the Campana Bag by Bottega Veneta, of course she opted for a intertwined model, whereas the sister of Paris Hilton, Nicky decided for a Chanel 2.55.

The collection Max&Co.&Africa&You will be on sale from April 2009 in about 200 selected Max&Co boutiques. This is a collection entirely crocheted made by the Crochet Sisters, 500 Kenyan women that created, in their laboratories close to Nairobi, a collection of unique accessories, from chain necklaces with leather insets and flower-shaped appliqués, to clutch-bags and make-up kits, shoulder-bags and crocheted totes. An interesting retail project that falls within the shares that Max Mara Fashion Group realizes since 1986 for Max&Co.&Africa&You. With the support of ITC (International Trade Center), the brand takes part to the program Africa Inspires, an aid program aimed to support African women and allow them to easily enter the labour world.

Really extravagant is the clutch-bag by Sara Ricci, 32 year-old Italian designer that projected an entire collection dedicated to the mythical Lego bricks. It is indeed called LEGO Limited Edition, and it is on sale at the SPAZIO ASPESI 1910 on 11, Street San Vittore, Milan and it is embellished by coloured constructions, to be matched with glasses, rings and many little accessories of the same unusual fashion.

To represent at the best the beautiful season there is the blossomed garden of the new Valentino bag, the very beautiful Glamorous Tote, made of silk, leather refined and with an incredible three-dimensional effect.

Extra-luxury for the Lowry by Burberry whose price starts at 13.500 pounds, a tote made of crocodile leather embellished by a polished metallic coat featuring vertical intertwined buckles, black nickel straps and a plaque-like leather pendant carrying the engraving “Burberry Established 1856”.

For those not wanting to give up the bright season colours, Carré d’Art suggests a collection of cases hand-made in very soft cow leather. Acid green, orange, fuxsia are the colours in which the bowling small piccola  (cm 28x19x11) and bowling big (cm 37x25x14) are available, featuring precious details, silver and intertwined leather odds and ends with a shaded “chessboard” effect.

The highest level of extravaganza and glamour is reached by the newest transparent Chanel. In reality that is the classic it-bag of the maison suggested by Karl Lagerfeld for the coming Autumn/Winter collection, but the mood is that of a summer bag. The warmth of the season gives birth to “nude look” and to a total vacuum-space in which the compartments show what is there inside, such as sun glasses, blushers and accessories.

Italian version

Innovative materials and solutions for Italia Independent, available on the market with a number of collections, among which I-High stands out, brand’s best product. One of the news is the “Cold War” model (mod. 505) presented as prototype to the Paris Silmo: these are multi-functional glasses that, thanks to the dynema wire, allow for a rapid substitution of the lenses (for sunglasses or glasses) and of the lower frame, in order to enjoy matching different shades.

3Concept, the glasses’ brand Made in Italy, characterized by screw-less technology, celebrated its first year with a number of news. Five are the new models that continue to draw inspiration from a retro style, strictly linked to the ’50s and ’60s. Men’s models re-suggest a drop-shape, whereas women’s models, narrower, feature a cat-tapered shape. Among women’s models it is also presented “Bfly” featuring a new laser-work that recalls the decorative patters typical of butterflies’ wings. The bar concept, which serves as the basis for the brand’s “screwless” technology, is subjected to a technical evolution that improves its aesthetics: front pieces’ attachment to the bridge is now not at sight, increasing suitability and refining the aesthetics. Such evolution, applied to the new collection, serves as the basis for the restyling of seven models belonging to former collections that are now available in new colours.

The model Ultra Light by Pirelli Pzero features an incredible weight for sunglasses: only 20 grams. Weightlessness results from the use of a particular metallic alloy, already used in experimental medicine, Nitilon that is composed by a very high percentage of titanium. The design is characterized by delicate shapes, rounded by vintage features for women and more squared and sporty lines for men. A particular temples’ manufacture alternates laser-cut acetate, whose peculiar radial mark is unmistakable, to metal. The model features lightly square-shaped front pieces. Memory-endowed it folds and then goes back to its original shape. The narrow temples contribute to the feather-like frame and a comfortable wear. The terminal rubber marks and brands the glasses.

For motors’ lovers, we now present the Mercedes-Benz eyewear collection, which focuses on the use of technological materials, such as titanium and carbon fibre, and on the search for details purposely conceived to convey uniqueness and recognizability to the product. The limited edition model MB590 stands out. It is realized with materials purposely studied in order to guarantee weightlessness, comfort and at the same time mechanic strength. Carbon fibre is made of thin carbon filaments arranged according to the warp and weft classic pattern , to give shape to a fabric that is chessboard-patterned.

Among the most precious materials, here are presented piton and crystals purposely conceived for the glasses signed by Ermanno Scervino. Details of gold tanned leather are applied on temples made of cellulose acetate that is a plastic cotton-derived resin, hypo-allergenic and 90% biodegradable. The search for innovative details and decorations perfectly matches the structures inspired by the ’60s: big frames featuring rounded out geometric shapes and a significant thickness. Zeiss lenses protect from more than 95% UV rays and the filters, thanks to a special treatment of the surface, take on the same colour shades of the frame.

IVKO GmbH presents a frame made of natural horn covered with Karung snake skin. The horn theme is also found in the Ralph Vaessen collections, suggesting ideas for both sunglasses and glasses models, and in the Theo horn and metal models. Besides the Silver Edition, Gianfranco Ferrè‘s new ideas are gritty models like the GF 885 featuring exotic leather stripes that define front pieces and profiles.

Diamond details are set in front pieces and temples of the two new Dunhill models, DU130 and DU131, both realized in acetate. If the use of varnishes characterizes the Missoni collection, MOD. B.V.85 is the top expression of the Bottega Veneta essence. It regards a very light and non-allergic titanium pince-nez, enriched by natural horn. The model, featuring oval-shaped lenses, comes with an interwoven leather cord, kept together by a butterfly-shaped brooch.

Real jewels are the pieces of the Sospiri Collection by Ottica Veneta, decorated with crystals and hand-made decorations.

Italian version

Let’s start with crocodile. To suggest it, it’s the new Shirò collection. Twisted-handled lady bags, shoppers, micro-pochettes and tube-shaped skirts in bon ton style, elaborated through unique techniques, among which the fumé effect, obtained through a hand-made padding on the original crocodile fabric.
Refined fabrics and particular geometries also for Zufi Alexander’s spring/summer 2009 collection that suggests, among other news, a colour and fabric revision of the “Kiss me baby bag”, the favourite bag of celebrities like Sienna Miller e Catherine Heigl.
Among the last creations of Alexander are the “Fashionista bag”, a funny oversize bag characterized by the word Fashionista and by icons such as the Eiffel Tower and New York’s apple, and the “Intrecciata”, a wide basket made of soft leather bands, available in pastel or vibrant colours.

Another version of “interlaced” patterns is offered by the creations of Bottega Veneta. The Cruise 2009 collection exclusive bags are joyful chessboards whose graphic is obtained through the intersection of lamb or crocodile leather bands with other bands of different colours.

With regard to “cruise” collections, also Chanel celebrated, for the occasion, a real marriage between tradition and colours. Soft leathers together with sober chains, shoulder straps and fastenings, are inspired from the classic quilted patterns, and many models, such as clutch and pochette, faithfully hark back to the very famous box of Chanel perfumes or to the elegance proper of the Maison. There are, however, more daring models too, such as the multicolour-clothed pochette, featuring a heart-shaped CC brooch, and that in black crocodile decorated with pearls of the Lesage Maison.

Tradition and renovation for Bric’s coming season too.  Besides the Concept Life Collection, featuring the famous Life Collection characterized by a classic suede cloth, the Safari Collection, still mostly characterized by coconut prints, and the Life Leather Collection, extremely soft vegetable-tanned leather, Bric created new collections: Life Python and Python, Canvas, Deer, Mimesis Fiocco, Silver ideal for sea adventures, and X-Bag perfect for enjoying comfort while travelling.

Timeless is also Piero Guidi’s Interlaced Pattern, which gave birth, for this coming season, to a soft gritty leather, available in five different versions: three in “safari” shades and two in plain black and white. The interlaced pattern recalls “saddle” collections, giving thus space to the featuring of straps and rings. Among his newest creations, the Guidi House enriched its classic collection Magic Circus Classic with brand new collections: Magic Circus Seasonal, Soft, Leather and Shiny.

Among the most extravagant creations, it is worth mentioning the eco-leather collection signed by Zippo Original, of which we point out, in particular, the new men collection.

For women, Orobianco Group presents two collections “Etichettarosa”: Zucchero, which offers bags for any occasion of the day, candid, pleated, extremely light available in different shapes and colours; and Dada, whose accessories are dedicated to the pleasure and vanity of mothers that go for a walk with their baby in the stroller. Also in this case, we find semi-polished leathers and crocodile.

And for the puppy, Orobianco presents Fido, the bag conceived to carry dogs coordinated with the stroller. To the best friend of man, Gucci too gave a thought, offering a small bag to elegantly carry small dogs: it is provided with iconic green and red handles, with a double sided opening, a removable pillow, washable fabrics, and with a short-clipped leash.

Among the most glamorous and deluxe exemplars of the year, the Hermes ‘Birkin Himalayan’ bag shown off by Victoria Beckham on the occasion of the husband’s debut in Dubai. 90.000 euro is the cost of this bag, which is one of three exemplars worldwide, thoroughly inset with diamonds: one of which, three carats, is inset on the fastening.

www.shiro.it
www.zufialexander.com
www.bottegaveneta.com
www.chanel.com
www.brics.it
www.pieroguidi.com
www.zippo-original.com
www.orobianco.com
www.gucci.com
www.hermes.com

Italian version