Tom Nicon’s fatal fall poses more questions about fashion and its victims

Milan men’s fashion week draws to a close tomorrow after the suspected suicide of a leading model, just months after the death of designer Alexander McQueen raised questions about the pressure of the industry.

The suspected suicide in Milan of leading male model Tom Nicon last Friday, was the latest in a list of recent suicide attempts by some of the industry’s top names, prompting questions about the stress placed on high-profile models and designers.

Nicon, 22, a French model who worked for Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Hugo Boss, fell to his death from a fourth floor apartment after returning from a Versace catwalk rehearsal. Read more

From bright double-breasted blazers to suits with shorts to spectator shoes, VIEW OUR GALLERY of the most covetable looks from the Milan menswear shows.

Menswear presentations for Spring/Summer 2010 have come to a close in Milan (and begin this week in Paris), but the clothes are sure to keep people talking for weeks. While presentations themselves remained relatively understated (a number of designers, including Gareth Pugh and Yohji Yamamoto, sat this season out), the fashion was anything but subdued. If designers have their way, Spring 2010 will welcome the introduction of the man clutch (apparently the next generation of man purse, along with tiny fanny packs); not to mention men will be stocking up on prints and pinstripes as well as cropped trousers by the truck load. Although we’re guessing that the eye-patches and swords slung at the hips of models on Vivienne Westwood’s pirate chic runway will likely be left by fashion’s wayside.

Also noteworthy this season: the New York Times’ revelation that male models do diet (turns out mannequin A. J. Abualrub dropped 30 pounds in order to be able to slip into designs like Roberto Cavalli’s “scuba pant”). Speaking of models, Nick Cave scion and model Jethro Cave introduced the fashion set to his oversized Gumby earring, while, despite rumors to the contrary, Madonna failed to make an appearance on the D&G catwalk alongside her beau, Jesus Luz. Read more

Milan Men’s Fashion Week: a grey day

Grey? Then I’m already in fashion. Here’s Drapers with the latest:

While the men’s catwalks in Milan opened with some flashes of colour at Gucci and Bottega Veneta, yesterday’s shows saw the Italian capital return in earnest to grey, the shade that looks set to continue to define men’s tailoring for at least another season. Read more