Taste of Orient for Armani

Tag : printed microfibre

East will meet West next summer for Giorgio Armani male fans withAsian inspired long shirts, shantung trousers and fitted jackets,the Italian designer suggested in his menswear show, which won himloud applause.

Armani, the last of the big names to present his ideas at Milan'sspring/summer 2009 men's shows on Tuesday, chose to put bindies onthe foreheads of some of his models, dressed in flowing bright pinkshirts and dark shorts for a beachy look.

The designer, one of Milan's long established names, turned outflowing designs with perfect tailoring that were easy to wear andrelaxed. Scarves sat on shoulders instead of hanging down the neck,and they also replaced belts on trousers.

He favoured Prince of Wales check and chalk stripes for jackets,short and slim and worn over a double breasted waistcoat, with aloose untucked or Asian-style shirt.

Trousers were light, varying from Indian, Balinese or Malaysianstyles, sometimes with printed patterns, and generous indimensions. Some were drawstring, others were tighter below theknee. Shorts were below the knee.

"(The clothes) are relative to a type of climate, a well-being,"Armani told reporters backstage, saying there is "a pinch ofpersonal interest" in the collection as he is about to open storesin India.

The main colours of the collection included an almost-grey green,light grey, putty and violet.

Shoes came in a choice of snakeskin, crocodile and woven hopsack,or laced, again in an Asian style. Guests included actors CliveOwen and Adrien Brody as well as Thai Princess SirivannavariNariratana.

"I loved the colours, (they were) really amazing," Owen toldReuters after the show which ended with Armani walking on stage tomale and female models sitting crossed-legged towards him.

D&G

At D&G, the less formal line of designers Stefano Gabbana andDomenico Dolce, the look was nautical, inspired by the FrenchRiviera.

The duo stuck to white and navy blue, with small dabs of redappearing in patterned trousers, bow-ties and on linings.

Models walked out in peak lapel and shawl collar button-suits, bothwith contrasting stitching details -- blue on white or vice versa,with shirts that had contrasting cuffs, bow-ties and printedpochettes.

The more casual look suggested jersey vests, slim cut trousers andBermuda shorts with nautical-themed prints while cotton knitwearwas accessorised with a silk neck scarf.

Swimwear was white and navy blue, accessorised with white bagswhile for the evening, the duo offered silk shantung whitetuxedoes, which were won with coloured or patterned bow-ties andprinted pochettes.

Belstaff, whose trademark biker jackets were a favourite of soldierand writer T.E. Lawrence, celebrated "the great traveller",offering a collection that went from soft linens to microfibreNylon, or what it called the "lightest technical fabric ever made."

Shiny waterproof jackets and trousers came in green, indigo,lobster, grey and kiwi colours.

More than 40 designers held catwalk shows at Milan fashion week,which ended on Tuesday.