International Cinema Festival of India

with those who are so well established that there name and brand are synonymous, i.e. Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, (yes, these are real people, not just shoes and bags), or Thomas Burberry.

These men are so significant because they oversaw the naissance of male fashion. In 1970s America, Ralph Lauren defined the style of the nation with his Ivy League, preppy style suits. He has remained a stalwart of the fashion scene by working tirelessly to produce new lines, for example the Purple and Black Labels of the 1990s. He has ensured that Ralph Lauren clothes remain exclusive, and the fashion pack are kept guessing as to the latest re-inventions.

However, it was not until the arrival of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana that male fashion was given a serious dose of sex. Their collections are targeted at a man who wants to stand out and remain at the very forefront of trends. In comparison, the statement black, three-button suits of Hugo Boss offer a massive injection of testosterone and power. They did what shoulder pads did for women’s fashion in the 1980s.

Men’s wardrobes will evidently require sportswear of some form and, in terms of designers, Thomas Burberry’s label, first made famous for patenting gabardine and clothing British officers in the First World War, is perhaps the most celebrated. This is because, under Christopher Bailey, the Burberry label took on the task of clothing the world of golf and hasn’t looked back since.

Any article on male fashion designers cannot, of course, be complete without the addition of Alexander McQueen. The prince of British fashion, he was a brilliant design radical. It is McQueen who we have to thank for the ‘bumster’ jean and the notoriety of the skull icon outside the world of pirates. He produced unique and dramatic collections, first under the Givenchy house and then in conjunction with Gucci and his death has been a massive blow to fashion, as both a clothing and art form.

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