Jil Sander: Queen of German Fashion Rules!
By Michelle Taylor
Photos by Giovanni Pucci

MILAN, Jul 23, 2004/ FW/ --- With the craziness of the menswear season finally done, it’s time to look into some serious fashion innovations and Jil Sander’s Spring 2005 collection tops the list.

The most perceivable is the graphic in front of the shirt instead of putting it at the back. Doing it successfully is a hard feat because the placket gets in the way. And since the shirt obviously opens at the front, elements of the graphics move constantly.

Yet, Jil Sander made it look like it was so easy and simple accomplishing this, putting animals and masks that have very complicated shapes in the hardest area of the shirt. That she was triumphant in doing this is more than a proof of her skills and mastery of techniques.

Second is the vest backpack that can be worn alone or over a shirt. Divided into three sections, this can be a college kid’s best friend. There’s enough room for his books and notebooks and a separate pouch for his PDA and cell phone.

Less obvious, but equally important is that the collection can be worn by men from 18 – 58. Jil Sander suits, shirts and pants has a timeless and ageless quality, that it will fit in the streets of Manhattan and the back roads of Topeka, Kansas.

A gent can be driving a Ford pick up or a brand new Jaguar, and still feel very much at ease with himself.

Keeping her silhouette lean, Jil Sander went for peg legged pants and one-button jackets chopped off at the hip. She also re-introduced the double-breasted jacket, this time with a snug fit.

New this season is the very light denim fabric that was used in jeans that sported a 51 logo in a circle on the back pocket, something that Gen Y’s and Gen X’s would rave about. It will not be surprising if Gen I (for the internet generation) beg their parents to buy for them those $400 jeans just because it looks cool.

The Queen of German fashion is on a roll, and nothing can stop her high-powered design engine this season.

Jil Sander

Jil Sander

Jil Sander

Jil Sander