STYLE// Ann Demeulemeester combines her Womenswear and Menswear Shows

Haven't blogged for a while because I've been super busy with Uni deadlines etc. the usual boring stuff but I just read about the Ann Demeulemeester and had to blog INSTANTLY about it.

This is something I feel strongly about, so strongly that I plan to write my Cultural Studies for Fashion Essay about, this term, at Uni.

If there's one thing I hate about the Fashion Industry it's that Men's fashion is treated like the unloved middle child; ignored between all the achievements of Women's Fashion Week and the Couture Shows. After all that the little bit of limelight Men's fashion does get, is restricted by the cultural paradigm of  ' the rules of men's fashion' that irritate me more than probably anything else.

Whilst London Collections: Men is going from strength to strength and gaining stronger footing year on year, it's still nothing compared to the huge spectacle of Fashion Week.

Which is why the Ann Demeulemeester show inspired me this season. She made the (what should be, but is) risky statement of combining both her Menswear and women's show as one. A stroke of brilliance in my eyes as it brought Menswear to the forefront of the fashion industry by force.

STYLE// Picks from Milan Autumn/Winter 2013 Part 1

1              -  Layering at Costume National

2, 3 & 4   - Asymmetrical Jackets at Corneliani

5 & 6       - Winter Whites at Versace  

Versace Winter 2012 Fashion Show at Milan Fashion Week

Whilst many feel that Donatella has, as of late only delivered 90s throwbacks, which I can't fully disagree with whilst looking at arguably her most famous design since she took ownership of Versace; the 'Jungle Dress', worn by Jennifer Lopez to the year 2000 Grammys, in comparison to some of the pieces from her H&M collaboration:

But then who could blame her, it is fitting considering she started with that design for her career at Versace and used similar designs for her first collaboration with H&M. Anyway, I do feel that she does simple elegance very well when using black white and gold, which is showcased perfectly in the newest show:

I'm not the biggest fan of all the coloured designs in this show, but that said, I do love Donatella's work with leather and embellishment and the simple black and white gowns, very much stick to what I feel Donatella is good at.