PARIS, Jan 24, 2004/ FW/--- One characteristic of menswear shows, which is both true in Milan and Paris is the designer’s innovativeness when it comes to fabric.

It is probably because you can only have so many ways to cut a pair of pants or shirt or jackets.

Unlike womenswear wherein a designer can go “full on” as we say colloquially, menswear by nature tend to be “standardized.”

Now, don’t get me wrong. When I use the word “standardized” it just means that genetically, mankind is just “molded” a certain way --- two legs, two hands, one torso, etc… etc…

Oh, one might be tall or petite, rounded or slim, stocky or slight, but the species called “human” as sci-fi writers call us, is bipedal.

That explained, then, the word “standardized” is not meant to be derogatory in any way shape or form, especially because Mother Nature designed all of us this way.

Now, back to fashion…

Because of the inherent nature when it comes to designing menswear, designers catering to the male of the species have to be very inventive when it comes to fabric and detailing in their work.

Good example is Daniel Faret, who opted for a presentation this season instead of a runway show.

Together with Dupont’s INVESTA, Daniel Faret invented a new fabric called, “Avantige/Lycra”

This new material exploits Lycra’s stretch-ability with the use of a new coating, giving it a new comfortable feel and breath-ability, yet impermeable to heat and cold.

Menswear designers, like their brethrens who also designs menswear, (sometimes they do both) are also very meticulous when it comes to details, yet more subtle in their execution.

One trend that is showing this season is “making strips” of the material like leather, then reconstructing it using fine stitching.

As the fashion flock says, “the secret is in the details.”