Jan 08 2009
Why don’t men get fashion love?
We all know that the world’s economy is in the toilet even without the President Elect’s dire speech today. The vanity industries were among the first hit and so at least we are more mentally prepared and have our therapists/mom/ pharmacy on speed dial. Men’s clothing sales are actually flat or slightly increasing so why did mags DNR and Men’s Vogue shut down?
(Update…DNR is still defunct but WWD is offering comprehensive Men’s coverage daily. WWDMen’s will be offered on Thursdays and WWDMen’s Collections twice a year)
Consider the following questions:
- Name 3 male supermodels…a little harder than you thought?
- Name some high end designers that are popular among men?
- Why aren’t men highlighted on the gossip pages under “Who wore it better”?
- Tonight is the 14th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards: Who are YOU looking forward to seeing?
Well…of course Fashiona knows these answers because she is a Menswear designer and she needs to know.
It isn’t that men are not loved in fashion. They are: Patrick Robinson,currently the head designer at the GAP, can write his ticket to design anywhere.
Photo Credit: Donna Alberico for The New York Times
Issac Mizrahi just left Target and is starting a line at Liz Claiborne. Almost all ambitious designers want to work(and do) at Ralph Lauren at some point in their career.
The point is, regardless of what the actual numbers say: Women’s fashion is more sexy and more money is poured into keeping the machine going.
And yes, Fashiona cherishes the premiere copy of Men’s Vogue with George Clooney on the cover and will by no means sell it will not part with it… unless there is enough money to buy a Fendi bag.
Or maybe at least some new Blue Suede shoes in honor of Elvis’s birthday?
I’d be rather inclined to disagree with you on the point, and counter that the real issue is that fashion is turned into a cultural necessity for more women than men, and the choices are either go with it and prosper, or run counter to it and have to deal with everyone and the dog claiming you’re “not feminine enough”.
As a result, it’s harder to drop subscriptions and keep your dignity, so the numbers for the women’s fashion magazines don’t fall as much.