The fun-loving Canadian twins Dean and Dan Caten opted for multiple-choice attire ranging from longshoremen in distressed jeans and sailor caps to the romantic suitor in coral pink pants and a double-breasted white jacket, to creatures of the night sporting bright red tuxedo jackets with black silk lapels.

Although coming from two different directions, both brands reflected the mood created on the Milan runway these past four days where the top-billed brands — including Prada, Gucci, Dolce&Gabbana, Ferragamo, Bottega Veneta, Jil Sander, Britain’s Burberry and Versace — were previewing their 2012 warm weather collections.

Milan designers tip hat to summer elegance

MILAN — With a tip of the hat — raffia that is — Milan designers salute old-style summer elegance, as they preview next year’s warm weather styles.

The breezy brimmed straw hat has dominated the current menswear fashion week, making it the symbol for the romantic refined look designers propose from beach resort to pool side.

The latest in the series of those who have reinvented the vintage head cover, including Dolce and Gabbana and Ferragamo, is Kean Etro, who previewed his collection Monday.

Into the third day of Milan preview shows, the looks have been tried-and-true traditional, with occasional outbursts of bold color and eccentric styles by such mavens as Donatella Versace and Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton....

Read more...

A GOOD old-fashioned country music spectacular is being held this Sunday.

Organised by Gympie country music band The Black Hats, the event will raise money for MS and feature about 14 local bands.

One of the band’s four guitarists, Alan Davidson, said The Black Hats could not afford to go to a recent ball held to raise money for disease, so they decided to hold the shindig instead.

But you won’t hear any modern country music at the concert. Bands that have been invited will pay tribute to the old greats.

The Black Hats play old-style country - think Slim Dusty, Johnny Cash and Charley Pride.

“Its stuff you don’t hear these days,” Alan said.

He said the Slim Dusty-type stuff was dying and his band was trying to keep it alive.

Read more...