Photographed by Joe Lally, Ryan Koning and Michael Brager display the dangerous and unseen side to the Fall 2009 runways. Titled “You Are A Voyeur” and wearing mainly Dolce & Gabbana and D&G throughout the editorial, the idea of female and fashion trend domination is brought up. Toxic hues, sensual sheers, and more skin than you can imagine, the idea of modern elegance is a bit more daring than expected.

Fairly new on the scene, Ryan Koning seems to be on the rise. After Opening Roberto Cavalli Spring 2010 and appearing on the cover of the current issue of Vogue Hommes Japan, I sense a male supermodel in the making upon us.

Models: Ryan Koning (Major Model Management), Michael Brager (Major Model Management), Biljana (New York Models)
Photographer: Joe Lally
Styling: Carlos Davis 
Stylist’s Assistants: Emily Kracauer and William Castelli
Hair: Jordan M. at Susan Price
Makeup: Benjamin Puckey for Chanel at See Management.
Location: Smyth Hotel, New York

Have you ever dreamt of what a good ol’ heart-warming trip into the countryside with Karl Lagerfeld would look like? Dream no more. The mounds of hay, the cuffed pants, and the denim treated to make it appear as if you had just finished rolling around in the dust, say it all. For Spring 2010, Lagerfeld expands on the western feel to his Fall 2009 campaign for Chanel. Taking us on a western ride that you will soon never forget.

Relatively a “normal” collection featuring it’s usual high contrast, sleek lines, and extreme luxury, this season a little Lagerfeld edge was injected into your average farm boy. With his male model of the moment Baptiste Giabiconi taking center stage throughout the entire collection, it is now becoming hard to remember a time when Brad Kroenig was the only man for Karl. Yet we should have seen it eventually coming.

Showcasing only 4 ensembles for men in a collection of more than 70 overall looks, a delicate yet strong message was made. In the end leaving the unanswered question – Are mean really brave enough for high-waisted jeans?

Well not exactly so. For those of you that are just as concerned about what designers wear just as much as their collections themselves, you might have noticed in recent months that Christophe Decarnin was in dire need of something new. Back in January when Balmain Homme was just a rumor that spread like wildfire and everyone was anxiously awaiting what the man of the moment would create for men, I predicted that Decarnin would essentially clone himself and water-down his own personal style down into the label – and that he did.

Though I doubt we will ever see what legs lurk under Christophe Decarnin’s made to look destroyed jeans, while taking a bow at his Spring 2010 Women’s presentation on Thursday, the designer opted for a pair of motorcycle jeans fresh from the house’s men collection released only a few months back. While it my not be anything groundbreaking, it was step away from his comfort zone.

After all, don’t you remember the days when Marc Jacobs just couldn’t let go to his umm “distressed” trainers.

The trousers can be spotted on Clément Chabernaud in the Balmain Homme Spring 2010 ad, shot by Karim Sadli.

Models: Simon Nessman (Major Model Management), Karlie Kloss (Next), Dorothea Barth Jorgensen (Women Management), Iris Strubegger (Women Management), Rianne ten Haken (Women Management)
Photographer: Steven Meisel

If you’ve managed to catch the 2 episodes of “The Beautiful Life:TBL” before it was recently canceled, Nico Tortorella’s character on the show might not be too fond of the whole fashion scene. Yet in real life, Nico seems to know a thing or two about fashion after all. Seeing as walking in Lacoste’s Spring 2010 show practically qualifies you to be a legitimate model.

At GQ’s cocktail party last month to honor Kris Van Assche, who is rumored to be leaving Dior Homme, Nico showed up with his on set/real life flame Sara Paxton. Wearing a look completely thought up by the night’s guest of honor, the actor decided to play a little game of mix and match.

Instead pairing his button handkerchief collar poplin shirt with 17.5 cm grain de poudre trousers, and an open back grain de poudre vest.

Since the shirt seems to have gone South and lost most of it’s magic that it had on the runway, he could have done better, but not bad over all.

Clearing not afraid of exploring the side of menswear that you don’t normally seen out in the spotlight (runway lights not included), at the launch of David Beckham’s new pairing with Adidas on Wednesday, tChristian Scott took apart a few looks from the Dior Homme Fall 2009 show and created a whole new look of his own.

Decked out in nothing but Dior Homme, except for his Adidas of course, the jazz musician focused more on the less than form-fitting side of Kris Van Assche’s collection by pairing a grey cardigan over his button handkerchief collar poplin shirt and satin waist grain de poudre pleated trousers.

Though it does seem like one big mash-up of a clean-cut and refreshing show, it’s hard to blame a man for trying. Seeing as it’s a different alternative to the suit seen a million times before. This may be one of those rare cases where copying a complete runway look would actually help.

What are your thoughts on seeing Dior Homme’s runway looks out and about for a change?

After opting out of showing his men’s collection in June, Gareth Pugh mixes the best of both worlds to create a dismal yet refreshing Spring 2010 presentation. Combing the world of men and women and showing both together on the same runway, Masculine shapes took on a new androgynous appeal. Instantly taking the mind to a place of, the men’s equivalent to women’s body-con dressing. Body-con meaning, “body conscious”. Making for something new this season to rival the “man-clutch”, seen both at Versace and Dolce & Gabbana recently.

Only launching his men’s line back in January but dabbling in the world of men for seasons now, Gareth Pugh has managed to find the easy medium that makes for absolute brilliance. When looking at a Pugh show, it is somethings hard to imagine what a world were to look like if the runway looks were copied complete form head-to-toe. Though when you take the time to strip away the outer layers and take away the edgy models, you come to find well-made pieces with ample throughout put into, with enough simplicity to be compared to a brand such as Burberry.

This season, Pugh kept with his new found love of the clean triangular patterns, which are seemingly becoming his signature, presenting them in the form of pants and even a textured jacket. Drifting away from absolute black, the designer showed a lighter color palette (well at least in terms of Pugh). Though mainly sending a message of how to perfectly play with proportion. Looking throughout the 13 look segment, you will see jackets cropped, trenches long, and shredded knit slightly oversized yet fit to standard.

The Full Collection / 13 Pics
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