electro^plankton: fashion: February 2006 Archives

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February 20, 2006

A Web To Give You Power

Adidas Clima Techfitsuits 01-1

The Olympics are extremely important to athletic companies who need to test their latest and greatest performance fabrications in real world conditions. The Adidas Clima TechFit suits may make athletes look like they just walked off the set of Aeon Flux but there's a lot of design behind the suit.

Designed to optimize bodily efficiency in energy expenditure, reduce oxygen consumption, and muscle energy output, the Clima TechFit suits utilize special compression strips strategically "webbed" across the body linking appendages to the body's center mass. By doing so, the body's energy is more efficiently distributed giving the athlete that split second edge that he/she may need to win gold.

Sounds great to me. I wish I had the chance to wear one of these suits. I also can't help but notice the position the model above is taking. I know it's angled that way so you can see the web but DAMN, that's a really hot photo. And by the way, that isn't just any ordinary model, that's German Olympian Alexander Wolf.

More OLYMPIANS after the jump

German Olympian Sven Fischer

Adidas Clima Techfitsuits 02

Swiss Olympian Simon Hallenbarter

Adidas Clima Techfitsuits 03

New York '06 F/W - Cloak

What if a bunch of male fashionistas enrolled into MIT? Would would they look like? What would they wear? That's where designer Alexandre Plokhov took his Fall/Winter '06 collection for Cloak.

It would seem Plokhov has left behind his usual gothic characterizations for a more constructed clean look evoking collegiate professors rather than urban goth rockers. Although the style may have changed, the level of design and detailing are still there. The silhouettes are still close to the body but they are sharper and tailored. Materials have moved away from leathers to tweeds, woolens, and crepes.

I love this collection. The shoes are beautifully designed; worn covered or pants tucked in. The jackets are simple and have that slightly worn look to them which makes everything so damn comfortable looking. Certainly, Cloak is one of the best American menswear labels to come out in a very very long time.

February 16, 2006

Skiwear Armor

D3O Skiwear

A fascinating little tidbit that perked my fashion and science interests. The US and Canadian winter Olympic teams have skiwear with d3o incorporated into them.

So what is d30? It's a thin material that can be worn under or integrated into almost any fabric that acts as body armor when its molecular structure is disturbed.

The secret material is a synthesized mix of viscose fluid and a polymer. Under normal conditions, the molecules are weakly bound allowing the body full range of movement, but when the material senses a sudden deformation, the chemical bonds between the molecules interlock and tighten forcing the molecules to lock to each other changing the surface into armor shaped to the area of the body it resides on.

The technology is amazing when you think about how fast it has to react; within milliseconds. After initial impact, the bonds loosen and the fabric is once again soft and flexible.

Now if only I could get the company to send me a sample. :)

via new scientist

February 5, 2006

Paris '06 F/W - Miu Miu

If time and style existed in a symbiosis relationship, what would the young boy in the scouts look like all grown up? Or maybe a boy that used to ride horses and attended military academy. Those questions resonated in my mind as I watched Miu Miu's Fall/Winter line strut down the runway.

Miu Miu has always been for the younger man and I've always loved the clothes because they seem designed for a more realistic figure. You can tell from these photos, the clothes aren't designed to exaggerate height nor are these models super tan and chiseled. The look like the geek and nerd once shunned. The clothes help exude a sense of intelligence and resourcefulness as opposed to sex and virility other menswear lines tend to latch onto.

This Fall/Winter, the clothes are tailored but seem worn (a trend that seems to be seeping into menswear). The trousers tucked into boots had an equestrian flair. The elongated tops and jackets shortens the legs making these models look shorter. Combined with huge stylized hiking boots, they really did look like grown up boy scouts. Give them a pair of black Prada clear lens plastic frames and I think you may have hit my G-spot.

February 4, 2006

Paris '06 F/W - John Galliano

If ever there were a designer to look towards for an interesting view on menswear, that designer would be John Galliano.

This Fall/Winter, Galliano shows off his trademark skills with shrinking and enlarging certain areas of a garment, exaggerating its proportions. On top of that are interesting textures and layering effects that create a sort of retro-futuristic silhouette. Colors range from seedy reds and earthy browns and grays. Everything looks as if it was buried, dyed, then pulled from dirt to create those textures.

If you're looking to be bold with only slight nostalgic references, then Galliano is the way to go.

February 3, 2006

Selk'bag

Selkbag 03
Selkbag 04

UPDATE:
You can now purchase the Selk'bag. Read all about it here.

Where the f*ck was this when we were in cold ass Utah for the Sundance Film Festival. This thing looks so comfortable, I wouldn't have minded one bit sleeping on the floor.

It's called the Selk'bag - a sleeping bag system which looks like a giant full body uni-garment. Inside or outdoors, the Selk'bag gives the body maximum mobility and comfort. Fully lined and insulated but not bullky. Stand without any trouble, walk, cross your arms and legs, and when you get tired, just roll over and sleep.

Please BUY us both one!

more pictures after the jump

Selkbag 01-1
Selkbag 02

February 2, 2006

Paris '06 F/W - Issey Miyake

Issey Miyake is a brilliant man. His design studio is really more clothing research lab than fashion house. Though Miyake has left his menswear division to his apprentice Naoki, the clothes have remained true to what they've always been - innovative, experimental, yet wearable.

Miyaki's F/W '06 is my favorite collection from Paris. The clothes are traditional with experiments in fabrication and finishings. This year, Miyake continues with the "pants stuffed into your boot" look but expands the look on top. Jackets take an interesting Tibetan tailoring technique where extra panels of fabric are stitched to seams and hems to adapt as the child grows up. The effect is charming as Miyake uses brightly colored patterns - slivers of color to add contrast. Bright rich hues of colors for tops and jackets match well with the worn neutral color palette on trousers.

All in all, Miyake makes clothes any man can wear while still maintaining his experimental spirit. Forward thinking without looking trendy or crazy.

Paris '06 F/W - Dsquared

WARNING! Dsquared clothes are cut SMALL. Dean and Dan Caten purposely cut their clothes slimmer so you better have that fit body if you try and rock their stuff. If you're a little larger in your build, bye one size larger. I also wanna preface by saying not all of their jackets are meant to be completely buttoned up so don't get frustrated if you put on a size XL and still find it next to impossible to button or zip. It was designed to be left open.

I like Dsquared because the have a sense of humor. If you're gonna wear it, wear it like you mean it. For Fall/Winter, Dean and Dan Caten explores equestrian clothing and may have read a couple of chapters from Alice in Wonderland, but thats ok because I love what they did. Jodhpurs in leathers, wool, and cotton with trademark Dsquared seams, zippers, and enclosures - bring much needed focus to a man's lower body. Trust, your legs will also look freakin' HOT in Dsquared pants. Tops and jackets also have the usual luxurious trims, detailing, and fit. Take a step back and there's nothing new to be scared off. It's clothing men have always worn. Only difference is the duo knows how to inject some style, construction, and sex into their clothes.

Paris '06 F/W - Comme Des Garçons

Rei Kawakubo has always had this thing about minimalist cut, but complicated everything else. She's slightly off beat in her work, but her designs maintain a loose enough thread to reality, usually by theme, to make her vision more tangible and it always works.

For Fall/Winter '06, think your mother's worse nightmare in the 1950's - meets modern silhouettes and cuts. The oversized wallet chains, and exaggerated graphic textures on some of the pieces update the bad boy rock-a-billy look while the slim pants and pleated open trousers give a nod back to that era.

February 1, 2006

Paris '06 F/W - D&G

Dolce and Gabbana's urban bridge line D&G is designed for younger men and in their efforts to translate what's hot in womenswear, you end up with shapes and cuts that would demand nothing less than a fit physique.

Their latest collection has the usual look of comfort with denim, jackets, and shirts deceptively looking like your standard urban fair. Look a little closer and you'll see the denim jeans are very low slung, on the verge of showing pubs - designed to show off a man's very sexy "V" line hips. Jackets start off structured, but sharply cut in tight down the torso to hug the body. Shirts look loose but the shorter sleeves grip tighter around the armpit accentuating shoulders and triceps.

I like this collection, mainly because D&G finally approves of wearing socks with sandals. If anything, it proves the dynamic duo knows a thing or two about hiding a man's flaws while bringing attention to his other assets.

Paris '06 F/W - Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta continues to impress me with each passing season and this Fall/Winter is no different. The clothes are made to look worn. Nothing is sharp and brand new. Every seam and point has a slight worn curve to it, denoting comfort and well worn age. The materials however are as luxurious as ever. Silk spun cottons, wools, knits, and soft leathers make the clothes accessible and wearable.

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