Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

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Juan
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Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

Post by Juan »

Rei Kawakubo's label "Commes des Garçons" has always been characterized by their androgynous designs. Sometimes they get way "over the top". And I love that! What was the inspiration here? It reminds me of those early age "cross-dressing" experiences some of us have had trying on mommy's clothes. Only that these intent to be actual fashion designs for (young) men. Well, I guess inspiration may come from unexpected sources!

My bet is that most yougnsters wouldn't wear these outfits unless they were actually "cross-dressing", but what about some items by themselves, say the hats... or those beautiful mary-janes!
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Re: Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

Post by FloralSkirt »

Its a brand new day!

Open up your eyes & see the sunny skies. The wind is low, the birds will sing, that beauty is part of everything. Won't you open up your eyes?
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Commes des garçons: more pics

Post by Juan »

FloralSkirt wrote:Its a brand new day!

Open up your eyes & see the sunny skies. The wind is low, the birds will sing, that beauty is part of everything. Won't you open up your eyes?
A brand new day indeed, dear Prudence!

I'm posting three more pics... won't you come out to play?

The model: Wiktor Hansson
The stylist: Kazumi Horiguchi
The photographer: Yasutomo Ebisu
Makeup and hairstyle artist: Katsuya Kamo

The items were taken by Mr. Horiguchi from the "Comme des garçons" Fall 2009 collection for the August issue of High Fashion Magazine
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Kirbstone
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Re: Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

Post by Kirbstone »

Where in God's name would any bloke actually wear that sort of gear? Outside of a fashion catwalk I can't see for the life of me what use that stuff has.
Ascot races comes to mind, which is a showcase for WOMEN's hats, or perhaps a 'Pride' parade...
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Re: Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

Post by Big and Bashful »

Kirbstone wrote:Where in God's name would any bloke actually wear that sort of gear? Outside of a fashion catwalk I can't see for the life of me what use that stuff has.
Ascot races comes to mind, which is a showcase for WOMEN's hats, or perhaps a 'Pride' parade...
Couldn't put it better! my sentiments exactly. I just can't understand why anyone takes an interest in ludicrous costumery like that, still it takes all types!
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Re: Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

Post by r.m.anderson »

At least the people of Wal*Mart wear their misfit clothing out and about !

And then the fashion idiots wonder why their junk doesn't pass muster !

Oh I am sorry did I offend anyone ! LOL !

It was purely intentional and you won't get an apology ! LOL !

Sometimes I wonder if the fashion jerks actually have a rational thought for fashion
or are they designing the next set of the emperor's new clothes ?!?

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Re: Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

Post by Stu »

We see ridiculous stuff for both sexes on catwalks all the time. It never gets anywhere near the High Street stores, so let's not kid ourselves.

What we want is clothing which is wearable, not way-out; the availability of simple, unbifurcated garments designed for men which do not compromise masculinity such as sarongs, denim or canvas skirts or plain skirts of other kinds. I'm a guy and I want to look like a guy - I just want a reasonable alternative to wearing pants.

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Re: Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

Post by crfriend »

Stu wrote:We see ridiculous stuff for both sexes on catwalks all the time. It never gets anywhere near the High Street stores, so let's not kid ourselves.
While the overall looks are "over the top" and border on the comical there are elements, especially in the first and third shots, that could be made to work. The second one, however, looks like a "zoot suit" parody.
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Re: Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

Post by john62 »

The whole thing put us back years.

John
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Re: Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

Post by crfriend »

john62 wrote:The whole thing put us back years.
I don't think it's as bad as all that -- after all, look at some of the positively hideous things designers come up with for women that'd never sell in a million years. I think in this regard, we're looking more at art -- which is surely in the eye of the beholder -- rather than something designed to be everyday clothing; it's more to showcase, and garner attention for, the designer than corporate buyers.

So "years back"? I don't believe so.
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Re: Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

Post by Milfmog »

john62 wrote:The whole thing put us back years.
Like Carl, I don't think it puts anyone back, except perhaps the designer. The middle picture of the second illustrated post just looks like the model is auditioning for a job as a clown, or maybe it's the photographer / stylist who's the clown? Either way, catwalk fashion and real world clothing have little or nothing to do with one another.

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Re: Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

Post by Since1982 »

I just think for a couple of years now one member has been trying to get this site to go CDish or strictly for "girlyboys". I don't think he's succeeding, but as we all have our right to express ourselves however we please, so does he. I say, "Knock yourself out, it's your time I think you're wasting". I think there are far more members here that are masculine men types that prefer a more comfortable garment than trousers and don't lean to baby bows and thick makeup with clothing that looks like a good outfit to go to a Funeral at a downtown Los Angeles kiddy club in. I just hope none of that stuff ever becomes mainstream in America. If it does, the rest of the world will know for sure that America is becoming a "third world" country. My opinion, you're all welcome to your opinions too. :blue:
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Re: Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

Post by rogerbigfish »

I really can't see what all the fuss is about. Here are some pictures of some fairly avant garde fashions that cannot be considered offensive in any way. Admittedly they may not be to everyone's taste and I am sure that the majority of us would not want to wear any of the looks as a complete outfit. However, in every one of the photos there is possibly one or two elements that some of us might use or adapt.

This particular set of photos draws a lot of attention to the models heads and faces and highlights the use of make up and accessories more usually associated with women. As this entire site is dedicated to the idea that it is OK for men to wear what is tradionally regarded by the majority of the population as female attire, (with the exception of kilts) I really cannot see why anyone should regard these styles as subversive. One of us may decide to adopt a pleated skirt and another may want to wear make up and a veil or high heels as has been previously discussed elsewhere on this site. The decision to part from the norm has to be made in both cases, though the direction and strength of the desire for change may be different. We all seem to want freedom of choice and should not censor those whose choice is different from our own.

A lot of people would regard any man wearing any alternative to trousers as being a girlyboy. Thankfully we are all better that that.

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Re: Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

Post by Stu »

I think that the more "way out" fashions displayed on catwalks are no indicator of what guys like us will be wearing - they are somewhat irrelevant. Firstly, I doubt most of these designs will ever make it to the shop floor and, if they do, it will be in a handful of exclusive boutiques in New York, London and Paris, and they will be worn only by wealthy society types, rock stars and such like and who are generally under 30.

What we need are ranges of simple garments like plain kilts, denim skirts, men's sarongs and even a skirt option with a suit etc, but I'm really not seeing any substantial movement in that direction, and the offerings of Commes des Garçons does not lead me to think this is going to happen any time soon. Trying to overcome the resistance to unbifurcated garments for men is like trying to demolish Mount Everest with a toffee hammer.

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Re: Androgynous "garçons"... what else is new?

Post by Since1982 »

Wow, some folks really overreact to personal opinions, don't they? I never said, inferred or thought "subversive", nor would I ever think it. It's an OPINION. No one has to share it. Runway fashions are mostly just that, fashions only seen on runways and in expensive nightclubs. sheesh.. :alien:
I had to remove this signature as it was being used on Twitter. This is my OPINION, you NEEDN'T AGREE.

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