Making a clean breast of fashion
By JENNIFER MELOCCO
14jan03
WANT to keep abreast of the latest in male fashion? Well, the message from Milan is to say goodbye to Mr Macho and hello to Mr Androgyny.
The provocative direction – featuring male models with fake breasts under figure-hugging knitwear – was sent down the catwalk by outrageous British designer Vivienne Westwood in the mens' autumn winter 2003 shows held this week.
And while the effect may look outrageous today, fashion commentators reckon Sydney men may just end up adopting it – in a few years' time.
Director of fashion at Sydney TAFE, Alison Mason, said while Westwood's designs have always been controversial they have largely made their way into our everyday wardrobe.
"The look is controversial but we may see it in some diluted manner in stores," Ms Mason said.
She said the designer had a history of presenting some of the most shocking looks but also visual effects that had been adopted by the mainstream.
Ms Westwood put punk clothing on the map, featuring safety pins, slashed T-shirts, chains and dog collars in the '70s.
The designer also pioneered the new romantic look of the '80s which featured feminine frilled and flounced shirts for men.
But this time around the Westwood catwalk also featured plenty of cues from womens' wear.
Jumpers came in tones of soft camel and rose, featured blouson sleeves and ruffled cuffs, and were teamed with fetching slim-hipped pants and cute peek-a-boo bonnet-style scarves.
Even the catwalk pose took on a feminine trait – gone was the tough guy stance.
It was replaced by a coy swivel of the hips contrived to give the model the slimmest silhouette possible.
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X_X Gah!!
