RUNWAY REPORT.....Paris Menswear Fashion Week: Thom Browne A/W 2012

Dr. Frank-N-Furter Chic...

Neo-Punksters: Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2012/2013

Thom Browne is the menswear designer credited for the "shrinking" jackets and cropped too-short pants that were all the rage the last few years and seen on only the hippest of male fashionistas in NYC, Paris, Milan and Tokyo. I remember going to Barney's NY and Co Op and looking at those shrunken Thom Browne jackets and even trying one on and thinking "OK, I look like a FOOL!!!" But if I was very very skinny and a 22-year-old male model...I would TOTALLY wear it!" And as it's always with fashion, the too-short/too small/cropped silhouette has been making its way into the Menswear "mainstream" little by little in retailers such as H&M, TopMan, etc. But that was then, and guess what Thom Browne is up to now?

Hunchback of Notre Dame U: Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2012/2013

Yes kids, take a look at those Quarterback-worthy OVERSIZED shoulders, the padded sweaters. In addition to the "Thom Browne" stamp of shrinking and too-small. Now add: BIG BIG BIG! And think 80's Punks, S & M, Prepster Chic, Frankenstein, Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1920's-1930's Football, Rocky Horror Picture Show 's Dr. Frank-N-Furter all rolled up into one ensemble!

Sailor and Argyle Boys: Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2012/2013

There were certainly lots of references, influences and "themes" to take away from the latest Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2012/2013 show in Paris. I actually love seeing a Menswear Collection that breaks rules and goes "all out" showing extreme creativity (possibly for the "shock value" or yes, to get the front page of those daily fashion mags). Womenswear designers have been doing this for years so why can't menswear? I can't think of many menswear designers who do this, besides, say, Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Hitting the Fashion Slopes: Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2012/2013

So, kudos to Browne for "shocking and shaking" menswear; it needs a little bit of shaking. But notice that within all those "Punk Frank-N-Furter Hunchback of Notre Dame U"--looking get-ups, that I am sure the "general non-fashion" public might think is KRAZEEE...there are still some fabulous and actually very wearable clothes, like the hem-shredded shorts, the plaid coats and vests, the studded pants, from the photos at the top of the posting. Trust me, that's what will end up at Barney's NY come next Fall.

Football Meets The Office: Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2012/2013

I'd love to know what YOU guys think? Here's my NICKVERREOS.COM Blog Question of The Day: Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2012, Yea or Nay ? Fashion Fun or Fashion Koo-Koo? Menswear Genius or The Joke's on us? Let me know your thoughts.
Click Below for Runway Video of Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2012/2013: