Table of contents for Style Spring/Summer in Da Man

Not two months ago, Giorgio Armani held his runway show at Milan Fashion Week and was met with silence. The show was held at an empty theater as Italy faced the largest outbreak of the coronavirus outside of Asia. Spring has always been a season of exuberance and bright colors, especially in the world of fashion. It goes without saying that this year’s spring/summer season has been overshadowed by the global epidemic we’re facing. And it is only right that we substitute our enthusiasm for vigilance at this time. On the other hand, I am reminded of the famous saying: “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” Perhaps we could also dress for the season we want, not the season we have. For sure, it is…

1 ARE CO-ORDS STILL A THING? Matching pairs of shorts and short-sleeved shirts have become the go- to fashion summer getup. And surprisingly co-ords are still seen and going on strong this season, probably because it still creates a stylish look in an instant. From matching colors and patterns, there are a lot of options available for coords this spring/summer, which also offers an alternative to the usual summer styles. This is a trend that can be easily replicated throughout a number of styles. 2 WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO A CASUAL WEDDING? Though most wedding invitations provide a suggested dress code for guests, decoding it can sometimes be a challenge. For a “casual” wedding, the range can be quite wide, but a sports coat and a button-down shirt with…

Just like visiting the city itself, Paris Fashion Week is a must-see for all the obvious reasons. This is the place where, besides fashion, cultural diversity dominates, both on and off the catwalks. Paris is also the place where the biggest grand openings take place. PFW’s capability of creating anticipation never fails and the city holds a prestigious place in the hearts and minds of fashion lovers. Although less political than London Fashion Week, PFW shows are equally grandiose and theatrical, reaching heights of majesty once thought unscalable. Paris Fashion Week is also the place where the biggest debuts have taken place. Case in point, Alexander McQueen’s first runway show with Givenchy in 1997 and Alexander Wang’s debut with Balenciaga in 2013. Needless to say, PFW is as magical as…

The past year or so has seen quite a few fashion institutions of New York close shop. After filing for bankruptcy in 2019, Barney’s New York—once a trendsetter in the Big Apple and beyond—shuttered all of its stores near the end of February 2020. Meanwhile, from the ranks of the city’s designers, Zac Posen closed his brand. In short, there’s a lot of upheaval in New York City. For spring/summer 2020, however, the city that never sleeps saw some names return to the fray, both at New York Fashion Week and in the city’s fashion scene at large. Quite notable among the season’s returnees is Duckie Brown, who last held a runway show all the way back in 2016. Rather appropriately, designer duo Steven Cox and Daniel Silver presented pieces…

Finding stylish men in Jakarta isn’t hard, as style references from all around the globe are readily available. Local designers, however, still face an uphill battle trying to balance what the market wants and their own idealistic visions. Amot Syamsuri Muda is one designer who has been blessed with the chance to do just that, with his eponymous brand—AMOTSYAMSURIMUDA—becoming one of the most sought-after menswear brands in the local fashion scene. DAMAN: Hi Amot, it’s really nice to finally have the chance to sit down with you. So, let’s start from the beginning. Have you always wanted to become a fashion designer? Amot Syamsuri Muda: I’m not sure, but I always knew that I was headed towards the world of fashion, design or art. I knew my chosen path since…

SOME OF THE BIGGEST TRENDS ON THIS SEASON’S RUNWAYS ARE CENTERED ON LOUD PRINTS AND VIBRANT COLORS. A DEFINITE CASE IN POINT WOULD BE THE COMEBACK OF CUBAN COLLAR SHIRTS AS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN SPICING UP YOUR SEASONAL WARDROBE. THIS IDEA IS BEAUTIFULLY CAPTURED IN GIVENCHY’S KHAKI-GREEN SHIRT FEATURING WITH A LIGHTWEIGHT CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN, LOGO SIGNATURE PRINTS, PATCH POCKETS AND—OF COURSE—A CUBAN COLLAR. THIS IS, WITHOUT DOUBT, THE PIECE YOU NEED IN ORDER TO STAND OUT THIS SEASON.…

A TOUCH OF THE CLASSICS WHETHER IN HIS MOVIES OR AT FASHION PARTIES, MENA MASSOUD CONSTANTLY LEADS THE PACK. HIS STATEMENT LOOKS COMBINE MEN’S FLARES—WHICH IS MAKING A STRONG COMEBACK—AND CHECK PLAID—A TRULY CLASSIC PATTERN BACK TO THE FUTURE BRITISH RACER LEWIS HAMILTON PULLED OFF A STRAIGHT-OUT-OF-THE-’80S LOOK BY PAIRING A SEQUINED SWEATSHIRT WITH SPORTY TRACKPANTS AND HIGH-TOP SNEAKERS—A SOLID ENSEMBLE FOR THIS SEASON SHOUT IT OUT LOUD IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT BRIGHT-COLORED PRINTS MAKE A LOUD STATEMENT. JOE JONAS ROCKED THIS STYLE BY BALANCING A PRINTED SILK OVERSIZED SHIRT OVER BLACK PANTS AND BLACK SHOES SLEEK IN THE FIELD PULL OFF A BOLD AND SENSUAL LOOK BY PAIRING AN ALL-SATIN ENSEMBLE WITH SNAZZY WHITE-SNEAKERS, JUST LIKE HOW DAVID BECKHAM WHEN HE ATTENDED DIOR MEN’S FASHION SHOW…

Once upon a time in the 1980s, Madonna wore a black T-shirt that said “Italians Do It Better.” The question is, do they? London Fashion Week, for instance, is known for its niche and unusual offerings from fashion’s up and coming designers; but Milan is the place that sets a precedence for the entire circuit. Boasting runway presentations from the likes of Fendi, Emporio Armani and Ermenegildo Zegna, Milan Fashion Week has Italian craftsmanship and expert tailoring wrapped in luxury fabrics for the world to see. So, the answer to the previous question is yes, Italians do do it better. So, what is new that Milan has to offer for the spring/summer 2020 season? For one, Milan is beginning to express its take on climate change. It will be a…

Despite the name, there is nothing ordinary or, well, basic, about bassike. Founded in 2006 by Deborah Sams and Mary Lou Ryan, bassike is now one of Australia’s foremost fashion brands with a formidable online presence (on top of an ever-expanding offline presence in and outside of Australia), a strong focus on sustainability and a solid reputation for organic materials. And, of course, a wide range of wardrobe essentials that work just as well as part of structured looks or casual getups. For this issue of DAMAN Style, we sat down for a transcontinental chat with Mary Lou Ryan, bassike’s co-founder and creative director for menswear, to learn more about the brand’s origins, its design philosophy and its extensive approach towards sustainable fashion. DAMAN: In a nutshell, how would you…

Having started his modeling career since early on—really early, as it turns out—Jacey Elthalion has quite an impressive résumé, peppered with names like Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Louis Vuitton, Vivienne Westwood and so on. Now, the father of three looks to take another huge step forward into the world of acting. Bolstered by his extensive experience in front of the camera—which naturally includes plenty of video work—Elthalion feels more than ready to transform himself into a screen sensation. DAMAN: Hi, Jacey; great to have you with us. How are you doing these days? Jacey Elthalion: I’m really well, thanks. Life is good. I’ve just turned 35 and have three amazing kids. “THEY SHAPED ME INTO THE MAN I AM TODAY. A GOOD AGENCY IS INTEGRAL WITH SUCCESS” DA: One of…

SUMMER SHORTS ANOTHER QUINTESSENTIAL SUMMER STAPLE THAT’S PRACTICALLY UBIQUITOUS ON THE SEASON’S RUNWAYS, SHORTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INDISPENSABLE FOR RELAXED CASUAL LOOKS BREEZY APPAREL AS SEEN IN THE COLLECTIONS OF MAJOR MAISONS AND BRANDS, SEE-THROUGH CLOTHING IS PERFECT FOR SUMMER. WHILE TRICKY AND SOMETIMES FINICKY, SHEER IS HERE TO STAY POCKET SCIENCE IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT A JACKET WITH LOADS OF POCKETS IS EXTREMELY NIFTY AS OUR LIST OF DAILY ESSENTIAL ITEMS KEEP GROWING. THESE PIECES HELP KEEP US READY FOR WHATEVER THE DAY THROWS AT US ANYTHING BUT CLASSIC ONE WARDROBE ESSENTIAL THAT NEVER SEEMS TO GO OUT OF STYLE IS AN OVERSIZED OXFORD SHIRT. THIS SEASON THEY DELIVER A STATEMENT OF SIMPLICITY, PRACTICALITY AND PERFECT WEARABILITY FOR EVERY OCCASION SEAFARING SOUL THIS SEASON, DESIGNERS FROM MANY TOP…

Among all of the fashion capitals, what makes London different from the others? In terms of men’s fashion, of course. There are a lot of possible answers to that question, but it might be safe to say that there is a degree of creative diversity that has made London an international hub for menswear. From vibrant streetwear brands to British heritage labels and emerging designers, the breadth of talent and diversity from London Fashion Week and London Fashion Week Men’s—or LFWM—is definite proof to the openness of London. References from the past as well as the future, the sustainability of fashion and also music supplied London’s creative directors with a different way of presenting their own collection for this year’s spring/summer season. Riccardo Tisci at Burberry, for instance, opted for…

Rama Dauhan is arguably one of the brightest young fashion designers in Indonesia. As part the generation of pioneers that spurred the rise of local brands in Indonesia, Rama Dauhan remains true to himself, just like when he first started thirteen years ago. It’s hard to miss his quirky works and his bubbly persona—one of his strongest traits that goes into his unique designs. Dauhan’s daring and distinctive style is what keeps demand for his pieces so high throughout the years. DAMAN sat down with the designer at his newly renovated studio and talked about his journey in Indonesia’s fashion industry. DAMAN: Hi Rama, thanks for having us. What’s keeping you busy these days? Rama Dauhan: We’ve just finished renovating the studio and are preparing for the upcoming Plaza Indonesia…

Modeling began in quite an interesting way for to Deano Perona. The British model described it as a hobby that allowed him to earn some extra pocket change at first. In other words, he didn’t take it seriously. Until, that was, when he found himself suddenly in Milan. That really made Perona look at his chosen career in a whole new light. All that being said, he has so far appeared in numerous runway shows and campaigns (for the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Dsquared2, Armani, Kenzo, Philipp Plein, Tommy Hilfiger, Moschino, Diesel and Stone Island), along with scores of editorials—including several risqué photo shoots that, let’s just say, really stood out. And this year, more exciting projects—still kept under wraps—loom on the horizon. DA MAN: Hi Deano, how are…