Fashion is Tubular: Spring 2008 Collections
by Graham Kolbeins
Digging once again through the database on Condé Nast’s men.style.com, I found a few looks in the deluge of Spring 2008 collections that are actually kinda cool. Too many designers went overboard on the white, slapped nasty-ass roman sandals on their models’ feet, and thought they were being all clever with shiny synthetic Gortex-looking fabrics. But a few collections stood out:
 
 
The best looks in Etro’s line seemed to be pulled directly from the suitcase of a b-list playboy on a tropical vacation in 1959. Gucci kept things modern with a lot of primary colors, strong lines and bold crosshatch patterns. 36-year-old Tim Hamilton slapped bright colors throughout his collection as well, but to a much more subdued effect. His designs seem inspired by dapper nerds, standing out while feigning nonchalance. I want a pair of those yellow shorts!
 
 
German designer Robert Geller’s collection is entitled “Beuys Don’t Cry,” in an awful pun that brings together the monochromatic dress code of Joseph Beuys and the baggy goth angst of The Cure. Luckily, all that doom and gloom is balanced out with vibrant splashes of Venice Beach colors.

Maybe it’s because of all the fedoras, but Junya Watanabe’s line kind of reminds me of drug addict/fashion icon Pete Doherty’s style— but better. The clothes look like they would be perfect for stowing away on a Mississippi River steamboat. Paul Smith’s spring line could be the wardrobe for an art student from the Hamptons, but a really fun one that you want to be friends with— not some snobby asshole who won’t give you the time of day.

Photos by Marcio Madeira for Style.com.

More radness:
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Fashion | September 15, 2007

  • robert was actually one of the people in charge of cloak. he does amazing stuff. He just did a show of the s/s collection over at scout, which is also the place that carries his line on the west coast.

    Posted by gauti on September 15th, 2007 at 3:53 pm

  • Ha, I worked with that model for Robert Geller on a shoot! He’s Canadian.

    Posted by Herrie on September 15th, 2007 at 4:35 pm

  • I like the strangely wrinkled water-logged look of the watanabe collection. and yeah… without the hattery it wouldnt be half as good as it is.

    Posted by Patrick S. on September 15th, 2007 at 9:39 pm