The Avengers' fashion statements and James Reyes men in skirts

It’s easy to say that you don’t care about fashion at all, but it wouldn’t be true. Everyone thinks about fashion at least once a day — when they pick out the clothes they’re going to wear — and even if all their clothes are identical or they were blindfolded, they are walking expressions of their personal tastes.

Somebody bought those clothes, and though you may argue that you just grabbed random items in the store and paid for them, you had a choice. Not exercising a choice is a choice — you are blindly obeying the merchandisers, handing over control of your personal appearance to people who see you only as a sales statistic. Don’t do that.

When you notice what people are wearing and they reply, “Oh, this old thing? I just threw on the first thing I saw in my closet,” they are being disingenuous. Unless the building was on fire and they had to get dressed in 10 seconds to avoid the barbecue, they picked out that specific outfit. Not only that but they knew it would attract attention, which they pretend was not their intention.

We can’t help thinking about fashion — unless you go around nude, which requires more nerve than average folk possess and will probably get you arrested. (And, in this heat, sunburned.) While it is true that what goes on in the fashion and retail industries is mostly frivolous and cynical, the clothes we wear are fraught with meaning. They are part of the image we present to the world.

We are judged by the way we look, which is grossly unfair, but so are most aspects of our existence. Stupid social climbers will search your outfit for designer labels and, finding none, will judge you unworthy of their attention. Good riddance to them; you don’t need their acceptance and fake friendship. However, until everyone perfects their telepathic abilities, attentive strangers will form impressions of you based on what you’re wearing. They have little else to go on. So give fashion a little thought. 

Think about The Avengers. Note how superheroes begin their world-saving careers with big fashion statements. Captain America’s unitard and shield declares that he stands for the ideals enshrined in the Constitution of the U.S.A (which his strapping constitution emulates). Iron Man’s armor proclaims him as a representative of the jillion-dollar American military-industrial complex, while Tony Stark’s Black Sabbath T-shirt expresses his disdain for authority. (Iron Man is a conflicted man-child, as Robert Downey Jr. reminds us.)

Thor’s costume announces that he is a mythological deity, which he must be because ordinary mortals cannot get away with an outfit like that. Black Widow’s outfit, though, is generic hot girl, and Hawkeye’s costume seems to have been obtained from a Village People tribute band.

The Hulk’s fashion statement is the most dramatic. But he’s naked, you point out. Precisely: whenever The Hulk emerges he rips out of Dr. Banner’s clothes — a huge green mass of rage that no outward calm can conceal. Dr. Banner’s regular shirts and pants are the costume in which he hides his true self. (Joss Whedon’s movie The Avengers is excellent, by the way.)

This year’s Style Origin events presented by Ayala Malls, Philippine STAR and Tiger 22 include Menstyle, a series of men’s fashion shows featuring the work of some of our finest designers. Most of them usually do women’s wear, making this a very interesting challenge. “That’s the concept behind the series — How we envision menswear — so some collections will be very conceptual,” says James Reyes. We spoke to James about his Menstyle show.

 PHILIPPINE STAR: What were your inspirations for these pieces?

JAMES REYES: My inspiration is the T-shirt. I’ll be using the T-shirt as a base for color blocking and draping as well. I’m limiting my colors to black, white and gray.

Your designs include skirts for men. What does it take to put a guy in a skirt? Will it ever happen outside of Scotland?

It does happen outside Scotland! The kilt is Scottish, but we Asians have malongs, sarongs, kimonos etc., for men. It’s very practical for the hot weather here.

Which men — not models, not that models aren’t men — do you see wearing your designs?

People in the creative field. They know how to have fun with their wardrobe.

Is there a difference between designing menswear and designing for women?

Yes. Menswear is more subtle. You cannot over-embellish men’s garments. I always keep in mind the limited range and colors of a man’s personal shoe collection (blacks, browns, tans etc.), then I take off from there. Menswear should blend with what they already have in their wardrobe.

Do you find that the contemporary man is more adventurous in his fashion choices?

Yes. Men now have the entire range to choose from. Sportswear, casuals to formals, even undergarments. Men shop to add to their wardrobe. It’s like buying different shirts to match their current pair of jeans. But they shop! That’s the difference with men now compared to our dads and granddads.

I’ve always wanted to know: are the clothes in fashion shows meant to be worn by actual humans? Why are ramp clothes so ridiculous? Not yours though, I’d wear them on my state visit to Jupiter.

The runway show is theater. It’s conceptual and larger than life. Fashion show audiences want to see something new. As designers, we do get fulfillment from hearing applause and cheers.

 Is there a question you’ve been waiting to be asked? Please ask and answer it now.

Why are designers expensive? Because we design and make clothes according to your specific measurements and according to what looks good on you. Plus we do a lot of finishing by hand, which takes a lot of time and requires skilled hands. And of course, we do not mass-produce. So what we create for you is your own and nobody else’s.