“I Mean…What?!?” – Abe Gurko

While we Americans were chomping on barbeque, watermelon and “oohing” and “aahing” over the 4th of July fireworks, Paris was not sizzling as the Fall Couture Shows got under way. There is nothing sadder than looking through the images of Christian Dior, the one show that I waited for with bated breath each season, knowing that John Galliano would not disappoint. I even looked forward to what kind of drag he would sport at the end of the show. There was nothing of the sort for Fall. Or nothing of the short for fall. Fall short…get it? Surely the reviews… Read More »

Resort has become my favorite collection cycle since the fashion industry realized the value of this critical, transitional shipping period, and more importantly, key press moment. Throughout June, the 2012 Resort collections have made headlines to a fever pitch. Yesterday, Salvatore Ferragamo presented one of my favorite ready-to-wear collections this year, resort or otherwise. Creative director Massimiliano Giornetti conceived the collection with old-world glamour in mind, a nod to the Golden Age of Hollywood when Salvatore first made his name designing shoes for the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren.The collection is simple, elegant, and screams luxury. The company… Read More »

There are so many viable inclusions in the Manzie Report: Paris, that I can’t even write individual comments because it is Gay Pride weekend in New York City, we got the Gay Marriage Act approved last night and I’d rather participate in some festivities than sit here and yattle on about Walter Van Beirendonck’s Bird Bird ensembles or his pastel cotton candy numbers that double as topiaries. Just click through these images and you will see a plethora of nelly galore ditties from leather sports bras…yes…for men…and Givenchy’s bouquet of Bird of Paradise skirts. Alexis Mabille seems to have tried… Read More »

The Paris shows have barely gotten underway and already have not disappointed. Seems like Marc Jacobs has been wearing skirts long enough to have fully inspired designers like Rick Owens and Yohji Yamamoto, who featured more skirts in their Spring collections for men than any collection Jil Sander did for women, when she had her own eponymous line. SIDEBAR: Now that Jil and Uniqlo have parted ways, perhaps Ms. Sander can figure her way back to regaining control of her name and getting rid of Raf Simons, who besmirched and nellied up the brand, especially this season. Now that women… Read More »

Italian men have the reputation for being sexy, brooding, manly and the overall Spring ’12 season from Milan held steady to that notion. I just barely squeezed enough juice out of the fruit (as it goes) to quench your thirst for a Manzie Report. One can only hope that Paris will have far more tasty fruits in the offing. With that, I give you the final looks from Italy.   Follow us on Twitter.com/imeanwhat or Sally Field Us on Facebook.… Read More »

Milan continues to show great collections, many are strong and colorful and leaning toward manly-man. One can only be happy for companies that design to be sold. Naturally, a few nelly ditties slip through to the cracks of better judgment to create some magic or drama or giggles. Here they are some Manzies by proxy. Follow us on Twitter.com/imeanwhat or Sally Field Us on Facebook.… Read More »

Two years ago I coined the phrase Manzie in response to the men’s runway shows in Paris, Milan and New York. That phrase caught on like wildfire within the industry and in a short time after that, the looks being thrown down the runway became increasingly butch. Designers like Billy Reid set a new tone and standard for what men should look like and all was well in Glocca Morra. That was then and this is now. There is something in the air and it is living up to Lord Alfred Tennyson‘s poem, Locksley Hall when it says, “In the… Read More »

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When the economy took a nosedive that fateful Fall of 2008, an emergency meeting of the CFDA was called at the FIT Auditorium. There was a moving sense of togetherness that brought all the most powerful fashion titans and icons to their knees and admit, “What the hell are we gonna do?” Many suggestions were made from curtailing shipping too early so that retailers would refrain from early mark downs to limiting images released on the internet. Those went over like a lead balloon, but they were sorta good ideas. One of the exciting turns of events since then has… Read More »

Now this is what’s needed in every dressing room, including your bedroom at home. American Rag, L.A.’s innovative retail store on La Brea has installed an “Ass Camera.” This camera will help you look at your backside while trying on jeans. We all know that denim is one of the hardest items to buy. The bootay has got to look good. With the “Ass Camera,” customers are able to check out their rear by looking at the embedded screen in a mirror. No more craning your neck to see your own ass. Genius. The camera is only available at the… Read More »