Who says menswear is boring? Paris designers Friday challenged that notion, fielding retro, futuristic and kinky spring-summer 2011 men's collections featuring skorts, jumpsuits and even Mexican lucha libre masks that completely enveloped the models' heads. Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci was on top of his subversive S and amp;M game with head-to-toe leopard print and skort-cum-lacey blouse looks given an en extra dose of perversion by vertebrae necklaces and the leather lucha libre masks. At John Galliano, the stars of silent film walked again. Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton lookalikes emerging from the innerworkings of a giant clock to strut the catwalk in urban variations on “The Tramp'`'s black suits. Yves Saint Laurent's Stefano Pilati was all about the waist, fitting the ample ‘50s-inspired suits with obi belts and strange, misplaced cummerbunds in leopard knits. Kris Van Assche paid homage to the working man with a collection that channeled blue collar professions from mechanic to butcher. The young Belgian will show another collection on Saturday for Dior Homme, where he designs menswear. Emerging French designer Romain Kremer fielded retro-futuristic suits worthy of the cast of the original “Star Trek.” Jesper Borjesson's second menswear effort at Cerruti was the tamest show of the day, with classic, well-cut suits sure to please professional men who can't show up at work in intergalactic garb or leather S and amp;M staples. Paris's menswear shows move into their second-to-last day Saturday with displays by Kenzo, saddlemaker Hermes and emerging talent Damir Doma.
