Skater during Vivienne Westwood%uFFFDs Milan show, SS2011–Photos by TPS

Fashion runway shows are underway in Milan with a variety of excellent designer menswear showcasing the newest collections for Spring/Summer 2011. What we found interesting, especially by two designers most notably watched among youth culture and streetwear designers, were the influences coming from sports.

For example, Vivienne Westwood, the creative genius behind the original punk looks and former partner of the late Malcolm McLaren, revealed a punk-inspired skater on the runway. While obviously the big news was the circus/punk inspirations of her collection, which bordered on the Congo’s “Sapeurs” some might say, was who was that skater? As easy as it may seem to someone like Shaun White, skating down a skinny runway in a fashion show can be a serious challenge.

Photos from her collection:


VW 2011 Spring-Summer collection, featuring elements of punk, skate, grunge.


Circus punk elements to Vivienne Westwood%uFFFDs men%uFFFDs collection for SS2011.


Upper streetwear designers will find this inspirational.


Looks like something Volcom would do. Source of inspiration.

In another case of sports playing influence on fashion for SS2011 menswear was Thom Browne and his Moncler Gamme Bleu collection. What was fascinating was how he had models actually ride their Tour de France and fixie bikes down the runway or platform.

The effect was solid, with a mix of stripes, typical Thom Browne shrunken shirts and tailored jackets, too-short trousers but this time with cycle tights peaking out underneath. The bike caps in strong colored stripes were key accessories that we can see creeping into upper streetwear looks in the near future. In some ways, some of the collection looked like a crossover into equestrian styles as well as cycle looks for the every day.

Pictures courtesy of GQ:


Thom Browne collection from Milan, SS2011–cycle, fixie inspired.


Seriously cool cycle/work wear by Thom Browne.


Cycle tights underneath.


Prep cycle chic by Thom Browne.


This is the look to ride to work.