Apparently, the eccentric thespian John Malkovich is taking a crack at “fashion design” (emphasis on the quotes) – and why not? If Sarah Jessica Parker could do it with Halston and the Olsen twins can be members of the CFDA, then it’s the most logical decision that he could make.
Malkovich told CNN.com “I’ve always had an interest in it and always loved doing it. I like design, I like details, to me it is just another form of self-expression.”
Or maybe it’s because he is such a fashion icon. I know when I think of men’s fashion his bath-robed and disheveled character in Burn After Reading pops into my head.
He has looked stylish in a college professor sort of way in movies from his past – and his outfits in Dangerous Liasons were great. But those do not necessarily warrant a fashion label. The second line for his casual menswear is called “Technobohemian” – which was a term used by Jay McCarroll in the first season of Project Runway.
Sure he may have modeled for Prada and Commes des Garcons but when his first menswear line called “Uncle Kimono” was inspired by characters like the Taliban’s former ambassador to Pakistan, Abdul Salam Zaeef, you have to roll your eyes just a little bit.
He told CNN he sketched a Mullah-style, long coat after hearing that Zaeef had been exiled for “wearing his turban too fashionably.”
Wow.
I applaud Malkovich as an actor, but as a fashion designer? Not so much. This actor-turned-designer pandemic needs to be vaccinated.
Despite my rant, I can’t be too critical (even though I am) of people going outside of their fields to pursue other artistic endeavors. Look at what Tom Ford did with a A Single Man – but until I actually see something by Malkovich that is up to par with the big boys, skepticism is in order.
- Excited
- Fascinated
- Amused
- Bored
- Sad
- Angry
