Fashion connoisseur Tim Blanks summed up Prada’s a/w 2008 menswear show with: “male vulnerability wrapped up in a shirt.”

I’m not one to deny my adoration for Prada’s mind and designs because it was this collection, shown in mid-January, that foretold the hoards of androgyny spilling from the sartorial pores of Europe in June for the Spring 2009 menswear collections. That’s the power of a visionary. Much like Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga is in womenswear.

Even with Miuccia Prada’s fall 2008 castration collection, her array of astonishing menswear accessories stood out.

Dangling a fabulous Prada tote bag with simulated animal print in front of a serious fashionista is almost as malicious as waving a dollar, sandwich and cigarette combo within arm’s reach of a New York City homme sans abri.

The man-bag/murse trend was not only picked up by Prada. Dozens of runways took the bland nylon messenger bag (which may have previously sufficed as vehicle for transporting daily necessities) and added surreal fabulousness in the form of prints, luxurious leather, monograms and even a knits. Take a peek at what you can expect fashionable men to tote this coming a/w season.

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There is a margin of frivolity when dealing with bow ties. When done correctly the traditionally formal pieces can redefine the level of casual dressing sanctioned in streetwear. Battles in the bowtie arena have been undoubtedly won by Andre 3000 and rejuvenator of iconic couture house Lanvin, Alber Elbaz.

Andre 3000 is known especially for his quirky use of plaids, driver caps and an occasional kilt or two and his Prince meets the country club stealth in applying paisley bowties is unrivaled.

On the other hand, Alber Elbaz has turned his neckwear into a fully blossomed iconic look. After every successful collection, his cartoony, satin ties play peek-a-boo. Coincidently the rest of the industry is following the smell. Most prominently being Armani Prive’s fall couture collection where models followed in Elbaz’s steps with animated bowties to compliment the one-of-a-kind tailoring of les smokings.

I’ll be getting my bowtie soon. It’s a much better trend to follow than the pointlessness of Shutter Shades.

Christopher Bailey, creative director of Burberry Prorsum, has consistently revolutionized the “Macintosh” season by season. He morphs the mac from its dry “sand” hue to outerwear with more punch, more pop and inevitably younger elegance. This season was no different.

For the spring 2009 collection the modernity of Burberry Prorsum’s coats were more potent than ever. Fleeing from the overwhelming androgyny of the European runways (He decided to beat to his own plaid drum), Bailey made a statement with springtime layering of slouchy cardigans with embellished lapels and even lazier Macintoshes.

The chic droopiness of was offset by the slim trousers and a new take on the oxford. Burberry ensured that a slim fit is here to stay.

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The colourful surprises brought smiles to my face. I don’t know if I was smiling at the Hedi Slimane tailoring (even though the brand has been under the direction of Kris Van Assche for a few seasons now) or because I saw my self- 6 feet tall and slim as a swimmer- walking in the metallic gold, gunmetal skinny trousers that I adored. Whatever the reason, the collection was filled with pieces that every young, fashion forward individual would sell his kidney(s) for.

Everything wasn’t raspberry lemonade though. Assche was too conscious in his attempt to distance himself from the houses previous creative director. So conscious that you could see the blips in the collection: where the quest for isolation blotted out the mission to tell a story.

I hated the dropped crotch pants. The lengths of the legs were drowning as opposed to emphasizing the ease that such a silhouette can add. Some of coats were overworked and the glasses turned me off. Faults aside, the collection was very Dior Homme it’s just a matter of deciding whose Dior Homme it was.

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