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Fashion Week Trends:  Sinister Characters

There has been a whole host of sinister characters on the Milan Autumn/Winter 2011 Menswear catwalks, styled in a such a way that there could have been Bond villans at Versace, Mafia bosses at Roberto Cavalli and Chinese crime lords at Ermenegildo Zegna.

At Alexander McQueen there were military touches to the opening set of looks, but pictured above-left is one I found particularly striking.  The high collar giving an air of superiority and framing a stern gaze, the yellow chest would be a warning colour in the animal kingdom, fitting as the model looks like a cobra ready to pounce on its prey.  The flash of colour is certainly very McQueen and the combination of sportswear fabrics and fine tailoring is surprisingly effective.

Above-center is a look which would be welcomed in True Blood’s Hotel Carmilla.  Womenswear went vamp some seasons ago so it’s only fair that the all-black fashionistas have suitors to match.  Disciplined, with no frills and smart tailoring, it’s part of a leather-heavy collection from Trussardi 1911.

Maybe Dsquared have watched Secret Window a few too many times, I’m not sure where else they could have picked the wide-brimmed hat and spectacles look from.  Considering the sinister nature of that particular film, along with everyone’s inability to see the models’ faces, it adds a dark undertone to the collection.  Wide-cuffed leather gloves look suitable executioner attire and could be matched with the leather aprons, while jeans and other pieces could be picked out to make unremarkable outfits, showing that styling is key.

(Picture credit: Style.com/Yannis Vlamos and Fillipo Fior at GoRunway.com)