NEW YORK, Feb 3, 2006/ FW/ --- While the English gentleman took center stage in Milan, the ‘stoic chic of French peasants and the easy elegance of the landed gentry’ dominated John Varvatos’ catwalk tonight.

There was definitely a rustic feel in the 41 exits shown, in the pin striped suit jackets with boxy shoulders, tapered cargo pants in distressed denim and leather, hooded outerwear with fur peaking from the placket, collar and hood.

There was also a marked military influence with the appearance of flight pants, bomber jackets, pea coats and overcoats. Yet, the bucolic atmosphere was retained as they were executed in unexpected fabrics – dip-dyed Harris tweed, wool woven with metal fibers and hand painted calf.

Varvatos also mixed fabrics – tone-on-tone leather and knit was seen in outer jackets, merino wool coat with a suede hood, blending beautifully with the whole collection.

The styling might be eclectic, yet John Varvatos pulled it together by keeping everything utilitarian. And this is when and where his uncompromising craftsmanship and masterful tailoring skills shone through – wearable pieces that featured artistic details like double pockets in coats, self-belt trousers, and dip dyed cashmere sweaters.

Presenting a capsule collection of his secondary line ‘John Varvatos Star U.S.A., the 2005 Menswear of the Year Awardee tackled ‘preppy looks with punk aesthetics.’

With denim, knitwear and woven shirts, Star U.S.A. caters to a very young market, but retains the style sensibility of its older brother, the ‘John Varvatos’ line.

Designed for ease of wear, Star U.S.A. is meant for mixing and matching and integrate very well with a young man’s wardrobe.

And the surprise of the evening, the launch of John Varvatos’ skincare collection for men, simply called ‘SKIN.’

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, John Varvatos boutique and johnvarvatosskin.com, the SKIN line features essential facial cleanser, even tone skin cream, facial scrub, eye serum, hydrating facial moisturizer, shave cream, shave gel, post shave cooling gel, pore refining mattifier and concealer.

John Varvatos

John Varvatos

John Varvatos

John Varvatos