News Coverage Milan Menswear Show Spring 2004

Milan Menswear Show Preview
By: Mari Davis

DALLAS, Jun 7, 2003/ FW/ --- What a difference six months make. Last January, when the Milan Menswear Show was about to open, there were so many uncertainties.

The winds of war was blowing, and it is all but finished except for a few loose ends. The U.S. economy is in the doldrums, and right now, it is showing signs of recovery, albeit, a slow one. Later, during the international fashion season, there was an outbreak of SARs and now, the crisis seem to be over with scientists finding the source of the virus.

On the fashion scene, Jil Sander is back at Jil Sander AG. PPR is now the majority shareholder of the Gucci Group. David Cardona is the current Chief Designer of Cerruti.

One constant thing about the fashion world is change.

The Milan Menswear Spring 2004 season welcomes John Varvatos on the catwalk, the latest American menswear designer to leave New York and move to Milan to show his latest collection.

Though not the first, and probably not the last to defect, John Varvatos' decision to show in Milan is a sign that menswear in New York is already at the Intensive Care Unit. It might not be dead yet, but it definitely needs resuscitation.

The official schedule shows at least 5 American menswear designers - Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, DKNY, Avirex and John Varvatos.

New York's loss is Milan's gain. As each season passes, Milan reaffirms its moniker as the capital of men's fashion.

And as the opening of the season nears, one can only anticipate the excitement it will bring.