Between attempting to scrub clean my filthy sublet apartment, then finding someone to professionally clean the space, to finishing it off myself with a vat and a half of deodorizers and disinfectants, my move to New York has put me on such a fashion lag that it is only today that I had been able to view and fully appreciate the wonder that is Umit Benan's Spring 2011 collection.a snapshot of Umit Benan's Spring 2011 presentation in Milan
With this collection, the designer seeks to delve into the question "What is a man?" by experimenting with loose silhouettes all inspired by Turkish clothing. While the looks are markedly stylish, Benan says that if a man wandered into a Turkish village in these clothes, he wouldn't stand out. The result is something modern, yet clearly Eastern-inspired, and surprisingly flattering on not the most perfect of body types. My top picks:I can definitely see this slouchy shawl/cowl lapel jacket being a wardrobe favorite of mine. I love how relaxed the lapel is in contrast with the rest of the finely-tailored jacket.The three-piece drop-crotch navy suit, worn separately, or all together for full effect.
I'm quite impressed with his choice of model and am amused at how a man with both a gut and an unmistakable masculine presence that pierces through the computer screen can look good in droopy, dandy clothes. A couple more photos from the Milanese presentation, an affair that appears to have been as relaxed as the clothing being showcased:note the kaftans and shawls and how they work seamlessly with the newsboy capsthe designer Umit Benan (in navy), with his models
photos via Dazed Digital