CULT Collage created for Tumblr, featured the Bow Tie. Images partially sourced from tumblrs Maison de Ballons, Repeat Offender, dap·per/ dean, beatrizk aye, Dargelos, & Lolita in Slacks. Click the collage for a closer look.

Spammers can be extremely obnoxious, but as someone who’s had the task of improving SEO for clients I’m somewhat sympathic to the poor souls. If they post a comment that’s completely unintelligble or links to something totally irrelevant, then surely their contribution is quick to hit the back of my e-trash can. Every now & then, however, a savvy (or sincere) poster comes along with an obvious SEO bid that’s not just alright by me, it’s welcome!

Such was the case when one “dorisclausen” posted a comment here that linked to a page on madaboutown.com. Unlike many of the spammers that try to hit up TFC this site is home to beautiful and quality fashion products, like the Belgian fur felt hat by Barbisio above. And even better, the link lead me to a page with a video of some Barbisio hats being made.

Barbisio from MAT media production on Vimeo.

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It’s a delightful clip, which shows the care and craftsmanship that goes into making the very dapper hats. The Barbisio brand is clearly about classic quality & not trend-chasing – a characteristic that continues to rise on my priority list. Also, the video ultimately reminded me of being a kid again. Of all the ’80s era children’s shows Mister Rogers was a favorite because of his trips to factories to show how things are made. The Crayola crayon episode is an enduring classic. See it below.

From dusty aluminum to deep charcoal, grey is the biggest neutral of the Fall/Winter season. And designers aren’t just using the cool hue as a background to make colors pop: male models were literally doused in grey from top to bottom. Sportswear, three-piece suits, and onsies alike – all were crafted in grey then styled with more grey layered on top. Click collages below for larger views.

SUITS

OUTERWEAR

WEEKEND/CASUALS

photos: WWD.com, GQ.com

The sartorial talent of John Galliano has just become a bit more accessible for men:

WWD: What are the design influences in this debut season?
John Galliano: It is pure Galliano. It is inspired by the attitude and anarchy of the London rock scene. It’s a very urban attitude. It shares the same DNA as John Galliano Homme. It is quirky, cool, streetwise.

WWD: Why launch this line now?
J.G.: The men’s collection has been steadily growing in content, as well as commercial appeal. It was a good opportunity to streamline the men’s collection and create a diffusion that would enable us to expand our clientele, as well as the characteristics of [the Galliano wearer]. It’s not just women that want more choice, more styles, more options. I want to establish a diffusion line that would complement [the main line] and could pepper a man’s wardrobe with all the essentials, and Galliano flavor.

WWD: Who do you see wearing it?
J.G.: Everyone and anyone. This is for guys that have their own ideas, own identity and want to express themselves through style.

WWD: Will you wear it?
J.G.: Of course. With men’s wear I have a rule: If I won’t wear it, we won’t produce it.

Source: WWD.com

Another amazing show from fashion genius Alexander McQueen. His collections are the epitome of apparel meets art and shows like this support that fact. From a distance, the print that covers every inch of the walls and runway looks as frilly as a paisley print. But look closer and you’ll see that the pretty is composed of skeleton parts. Very McQueen.

McQueen is always in a class on his own, but even he showed a few of the season’s biggest trends. NOTE: fur, all over print, vinyl, and head-to-toe gray.

My favorite pieces in the collection show off McQueen’s exquisite use of print. I’m especially fascinated with the long coat, whose print looks like a photo of water splashing. It makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the splash. Surreal!

photos: WWD.com

This Fall menswear designers want stylish males to mix it up with contrasting sleeves on their blazers and suit jackets. In looks with a monochrome palette, sleeves get some extra shine by being crafted in a different fabric and/or color. The trend, which seems to lend itself to an increased casual vibe, is also seen in coats.

Menswear designers took to the skies for the Fall/Winter 2010-11 season, with nearly every collection shown in Milan sending some version of a flight jacket down the runway. The style evokes a certain nostalgia for WWII-era heroism (like the 1940’s tail gunner above) or for Tom Cruise’s glory years (think “Top Gun”). Bomber jackets – as most of us know them – were recreated in classic hues and remixed with unexpected color or texture.

photos: wwd.com, gq.com, acejackets.com, sporesmoldfungus @ flickr

You don’t have to wait until August to start building your Fall 2010 wardrobe. Shop flight jackets from last season and you can save some cash yet still be relevant for seasons to come.

DSQUARED – BIKER BOMBER LEATHER JACKET Overlaping mandarin collar. One button cuffs. Tw zip chest pockets. Two side slanted slit pockets. Two-way zip closure. Ribbed hem. Cotton and Polyester lining.

DAVID BECKHAM FOR ADIDAS – BOMBER LEATHER JACKET Built up collar . Ribbed knit cuffs and hem. Side slit pockets. Front zip closure. Three stripe detailing down shoulders and arms.

DIOR HOMME – SHEARLING LEATHER JACKET Wide sllightly pointed collar. Snap cuffs. Two side slanted slit pockets with leather edges. Zip closure. Leather piping. Shearling lining. No inside pockets. Back Length: 65 cm.

DOLCE & GABBANA – HOODED NAPPA LEATHER JACKET Non detachable drawstring hood with metal ends. Zip cuffs. Two side slanted slit pockets. Zip closure. Ribbed hem. Heavily lined . Two inside pockets. Back Length: 65 cm.

DOLCE & GABBANA – WASHED NAPPA ZIP LEATHER JACKET Classic collar. Button tab cuffs. Zip closure. Two front snap flap pockets. Ribbed knit hem. Fully lined. Back Length: 64 cm.

MONCLER – MATTE CAHORS WATERPROOF SPORT JACKET Built-up collar with striped ribbed knit lining . Button shoulder epaulets. Ribbed knit cuffs. Concealed zip and button closure. Four button flap pockets. Ribbed knit hem. Inside zip pocket. Tone on tone lining.

Matthew Williamson is launching a menswear line in earnest now. The new pieces due out this Spring are casual, but luxe – the kind of thing a girl would borrow from her mate.

February will see the debut at retail of Williamson’s first men’s capsule collection, featuring items such as cashmere sweaters in vivid green, electric blue and deep pink; silver gray cotton silk T-shirts with an embellished beetle motif and silk and wool scarves adorned with star and paisley prints. “I’d wanted to do men’s wear for a long time,” said Williamson, adding that if the initial spring collection is well received, he’ll expand the line into “suits, shirts and jackets.”

Earlier this year, Williamson tested the men’s wear waters when he produced a few men’s looks as part of the collection he designed for H&M, a project he described as “kind of a starting point” for his own men’s collection. Prices for Williamson’s men’s line start at 195 pounds, or $310 at current exchange, for a printed wool scarf and run up to 450 pounds, or $717, for a printed cashmere sweater. The collection will be sold at Williamson’s stores in London, New York and Dubai and at the label’s online store beginning next month, and also will be carried at Harrods’ designer men’s wear department in London.

Source: WWD.com

What a way to start a Menswear post: a tiny little toddler girl. How precious. And she’s got the bored model look down pat! Quite a cuddly choice of runway accessory for Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fall.

The collection is exceedingly sharp – right down to the uber-pointy oxfords. Click to see