Man, Oh man!

Like it or not, central to the fashion world has always been women's fashion. Rarely do we see a lot of  developments take place over the course of one season for men's fashion and that' probably because most men, still really don't give a damn about trends. It is for this reason that several fashion houses, although they do have a men's line in the works or in full bloom already, still haven't completely shifted their focus on the other gender-or at least they still haven't given equal attention to both genders. 

Men's style is quite boring, believe me, and that I guess is another reason why fashion mavens would rather have daughters than sons. Besides, who would honestly like to shop for shirts and pants their entire lives?

Recently, men's fashion has taken an unexpected turn for the better, with men's fashion slowly stealing the limelight especially in the 2011 Milan Fashion Week. Here are some of the top brands that are on the mission to make sure that our boys dress to impress, rather than dress to scare.

Billtornade

Billtornade's pre-fall runway took us back to a dark world that's part reminiscent of the Scottish countryside and part right in the middle of a stoic and gray industrial city. The locomotive steam cum fog added much to the effect, bringing on a mood that makes you hear the painful streams of an electric guitar. Tartan and plaid were central to the collection, adding a spike of color to the blacks and greys that channelled a punk-revival mood. And get this, with tartan vests and kilts making a statement on the runway, it's hard not to say that the experimental gents will be able to get away with it on the street with an I-Don't-Give-A-Damn-What-They-Say attitude.

Van Assche

Our men haven't looked any different in the last five to six decades when at work. It's always the tailored suit, that little noose tied around their necks, or the rolled-up long-sleeved polo shirt that's either white, grey, black, or navy blue. Van Assche is about to change that with his latest offering in the recently concluded Paris Fashion Week. Van Assche offers a more casual, more relaxed alternative to corporate dressing that will help our men breathe amidst all that stress in the board room. 

Say good-bye to that stiff tailored suit that goes from Monday to Friday (and sometimes Saturday!) and say hello to collar-less jackets, high funnel necks, exposed zips in lieu of buttons, and loose and cosy takes on that can't-live-without jacket. Leather belts and oversized cross-body bags with quirky casual leather shoes are key to completing this casual corporate look.

Balmain

Just when you think that everyone has completely moved on from the military fashion trend that send a blitzkrieg into the fashion world, Balmain is about to do a double take on the military trend with its pre-fall offerings for men. Balmain's interpretation on the military fashion trend juxtaposing it with the rugged street style highlights its reputation as one of the best fashion houses in the world. 

Balmain has got the military cool vibe for our men down pat with a collection that includes the full board on striped trousers, toggle coats, pea coats, piped blazers and yes, even that too-cool-to-handle aviator style.

Qasimi Homme

If I were Qasimi Homme, I'd be hiding right now. Qasimi Homme's futuristic tribal collection for the Paris Fashion Week is enough to make it on the list as PETA's most-loathed fashion houses thanks to its fur and leather collection for men. Looks like more critters will be dying to make our men look their best. Qasimi Homme is for the edgy man willing to experiment with fashion without having to be paranoid to be dubbed as, well, you know.

With strong tribal undertones, we're seeing a darker version of the neo-tribal trend marked with deep browns and aubergines-a welcome relief, on the other hand from the standard black-the only color that our men seem to only recognize. Mix this up with neat belting techniques and killer coats, and we've got the king of the jungle ready to roar.

Songzio

Songzio's pre-fall collection reminds me a lot of Sherlock Holmes. If Songzio existed in the world of Holmes, Holmes would probably have an entire wardrobe of his coats and jackets to don as he goes through his sleuthing in the chilly London night. Holmes would also probably have three of Songzio's hats which would shroud his face partially as he bends down with that quintessential magnifying glass or while he would smoke his pipe while contemplating on the clues to solve the mystery that he's on to. Too bad for Holmes that he had to do without Songzio. And luck for our men that they have Songzio to shroud them in stylish darkness.

Songzio proves that our men only need a few key accessories which can take their fashion mileage a long, long way. For men, Songzio zeroes in on loose cut pants, a keen fusion of fabrics, and zips as embellishments on the ankles and sleeves. Here's a style that's anything but loud for the man who's spirit is willing to embrace a new sense of style, but whose flesh is a little in doubt to do so. (FREEMAN)