The Rick Owens 2012 Spring Summer Men collection, presented at the Paris Men's Fashion Week, was all about man skirts, man gowns and ethereal harmony.
The modern monk-like models and creations of the fashion show were far from a display of confused identities... The men of Rick Owens know exactly who they are and are not afraid to express it through the proposed man skirts and floor-length tank dresses, combined with handsome jackets. The color combinations along with the Buddhist monk inspiration channel self-coonsciousness and the sandy beaches of South-East Asia.
Rick Owens manages to stretch the man skirt, and fits it successfully to the needs of modern day balanced masculinity. As the designer puts it, "I’m not going to sell tons of them, but if there’s anyone on the planet that can sell skirts to men, it’s me. Man skirts is a niche, but I like the niche."
Implications - The definition of masculinity is constantly changing and fluidity between the sexes is increasing, as demonstrated by androgynous Rick Owens collection. The man skirts show how profoundly female garments can be reinterpreted to suit modern day males in a very intelligent way. This trend will further impact the marketing of products that are originally perceived as female, like cosmetics.
Modern Monk Man Skirts
The Rick Owens 2012 Spring Summer Men Collection is Gender-Bending
Trend Themes
1. Gender-bending Fashion - The Rick Owens 2012 collection of man skirts and gowns challenges traditional gender norms and offers opportunities for gender-neutral fashion lines.
2. Modern-day Masculinity - This trend showcases the fluidity of masculinity and creates opportunities for fashion brands to cater to a broader range of gender expressions.
3. Androgynous Apparel - The blurring of gender lines in fashion is creating opportunities for clothing lines that cater to both men and women.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion and Apparel - Designers and fashion brands can create clothing lines that challenge traditional gender norms and cater to a broader range of gender expressions.
2. Cosmetics Industry - The rise of gender-neutral fashion lines opens up opportunities for cosmetics brands to market products that were initially perceived as female to a more diverse customer base.
3. Retail Industry - Retailers can create marketing strategies that promote gender-neutral fashion lines and appeal to a broader range of customers.