Milano Moda Uomo Spring 2009
Day 1: Morning, Saturday June 21, 2008

For the first time, I appreciated the fact that I was not traveling alone. Having Napster around made navigating around Milan by subway and by tram made it so much easier. Actually, we could have rented a car for the whole week, like most fashion editors do. But, using public transportation also makes me remember places in Milan much better and allows me to blend with the crowd.

Gaetano Navarra

First show of the day was Gaetano Navarra, a retro-futuristic take on fashion wherein influences from the 1960s and 1970s. It was the hippie movement meets John Travolta at ‘Saturday Night Fever.’ It was about transition, as the youth who used to live in communes joined the city folks who had become more sophisticated while they were gone.

And though I do not see it, Napster keeps on telling me that there are elements of the digital world here, especially video games. Since I really don’t play video games, I cannot say yeah or nay, but I’ll put it here because Napster insists. (click image to see bigger photo)

Costume National Homme

Ennio Capasa is on a roll when it comes to modernity and technology. Having just launched his blog site complete with tweeter and of course having a YouTube channel, the Italian designer also introduced his solar powered bag. For Spring 2009, he continues that train of thought as he reinterprets the male summer wardrobe for a new generation.

Bright fabrics that are sometimes proposed as metallic yet very environmentally friendly. How did he do that? It’s probably a secret he would not want to share right now. But though Ennio Capasa had not made a formal announcement that he is ‘greenie’, his solar power bag and use of bamboo and silk fabric in his collection are enough proofs that he does care about the environment.

Jil Sander

It was touch and go for us at Jil Sander because we did not have an invitation, but Napster knew someone from the PR office so we were able to get, albeit as standing guests. I found a seat while Napster blended well in the pit. And quite frankly, seeing Jil Sander Spring 2009 collection by Raf Simons is worth all the trouble we went through to get in the show.

Simons who is known for his innovative approach in menswear had continuously surpassed expectations as he mixed ease-of-dressing and elegance. Putting emphasis on comfort and lightness, he used unexpected combinations of fabrics, making the clothes dramatic already. Sharply defining shapes and adding details like zippers and game graphics, the collection was an instant winner the moment the first exit was seen on the runway.