“Retired Rockers”—Umit Benan

The Retired Rockers inspiring the f/w 2010-2011 collection are a group of musicians who made music history in the 1970s and ‘80s, once young and wild kids with no direction beyond rousing an entire generation to a blaring rock beat.

Umit Benan presents his vision of these old rockers—his rockers—imagining a rock band à al Rolling Stones that gets together with a few old buddies, such as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen and with produce Ahmet Ertegun (the man who discovered them and who, not coincidentally, shares the designer’s Turkish roots).

See the collection here.

Photos Copyright Umit Benan.

“Home Sweet Home”—Umit Benan

The summer wardrobe designed by Umit Benan pivots on the primary dualism between masculine and feminine, every pursuing—in the intense new colors, the luxurious materials, the clean or fluid shapes exquisitely in sync with the body—a concept of pure easy elegance.

The palette explores different earth and sea tones: dark bark brown, ink black, deep hues of navy and mocha flank much softer and lighter nuances, such as Evil Eye Ocean blue and sun bleached stone grey. Green and orange have a sieved quality, thanks to mélange weaves; while macro stripe and madras plaid prints add graphic energy to the freer mixes.

Have a look at the image gallery.

Photos Copyright Umit Benan.

"Who Is On Next" was on at Pitti Uomo and the Winners are...

The winners have been announced for the young designer competition "Who Is On Next" that was held for the first time at Pitti Uomo in Florence, Italy!

First place was swept by the German-born Turkish designer Umit Benan, who presented a collection of menswear that flew the audience back to the jetsetters of pre-revolutionary Cuba!

Congratulations Umit!

Second place went to the Russian-born designer Max Kibardin, who so elegantly blended nature and architecture in to a classic collection of men's shoewear.

Third place was claimed by the Italian-Columbian duo Fabio Sasso and Juan Carlo of Leitmotiv, who featured a menswear collection fashioned by surrealistic styles.

Photo Copyright Umit Benan.

Umit Benan & "Who Is On Next"

For the past several days, I have been posting articles on Who Is On Next, a competition created and organized by Alta Roma—Rome’s fashion week—and collaborated by Vogue Italia. So today, I would like to present another finalist, Umit Benan.

Turkish designer Umit Benan was born 1980 in Germany where he began cultivating from a young age a strong sense of creativity and a profound interest in fashion.

After receiving a bachelor's degree in Business from Boston University, Umit plunged into a deluge of fashion studies, attending Central St. Martin College, Parsons School of New York, and Istituto Marangoni of Milan, where he obtained a degree in fashion design.

Umit's creations typically portray self-assured men with strong personalities, confident enough to be challenged by a touch of femininity.

He designed his 2010 s/s collection peering through the lens of photographer Slim Aarons, who captured on film the glamorous jet setters of the 60's, 70's, and 80's in their Caribbean playgrounds.

His collection, however, centers on a fictional character—a pre-revolutionary Cuban businessman in his late 30's, dwelling amidst the joys of luxury in a mansion and surrounded by an entourage.

Partying around the clock, the businessman of Umit's collection embodies the characters of Tony Montana in Scarface and Diego Delgado of Blow, an all-time favorite of Umit Benan!

I wish you the best of luck, Umit!



Slideshow 2010 s/s collection Copyright Umit Benan.

“Who Is On Next” is On at Pitti Uomo

As the 76th edition of Pitti Uomo soon approaches, so mounts the excitement surrounding the best up-and-coming menswear designer!

Created and organized by Alta Roma—Rome’s fashion week—and in collaboration with Uomo Vogue, Who Is On Next will be held in conjunction with Pitti Uomo. But, pazienza everyone, we will have to wait until June 18 for the winner to be announced!

So just who are these emerging designers On Next?

Seven finalists have been selected: representing four read-to-wear and three accessory collections. Have a look and cast your vote!

Leitmotiv
Designers: Fabio Sasso is originally from the southern Italian city of Potenza and is a graduate of Dams Institute; while Juan Caro is from Bogotá, Colombia, and is a graduate of the Academy of Art.

Style: A blurring of art and fashion, male and female, past and future.

Marvie
Designer: Born 1976 in Perugia, Italy, Maria Vittoria Sargentini is a graduate of the Fashion Design Institute in Florence.
Style: Non-seasonal with a minimalist, avant-garde balance.

Made in Roma

Designers: Pascal Gautrand was born in 1974 and is a graduate of the Institut Français de la Mode. He collaborates with shirt craftsman Roberto Marino.
Style: Custom shirts with patchworks of classic shirting.

Umit Benan
Designer: Umit Benan was born 1980 in Germany and has since lived and worked in Istanbul, London, New York, and Milan. He has a BA from Boston University in the US.
Style: Inspired by Cuba, photographer Slim Aarons, and references to films “Scarface” and “Blow.”

Elia Maurizi

Designer: Elia Maurizi is an Italian shoe designer whose father owns a factory that produces classic shoes.
Style: Eclectic, unisex footwear with influences from the American Fifties and the future.

Hewn
Designer: Italian, based in Florence.
Style: Luxurious shoes and bags in stretch suede, old sued, crinkle, and old romantic cow.

Max Kibardin
Designer: Max Kibardin was born in Siberia, Russia, and pursued his fashion career at Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Italy.
Style: Mathematical balanced approach to footwear, allusions to Alain Delon in “The Swimming Pool,” vibrant colors, and fine exotic materials.

Photo top left Copyright Elia Maurizi.