John Galliano to start men's wear line

(AFP PHOTO/FRANCOIS GUILLOT)

Women's Wear Daily might soon be considering a name change: just a week after news broke that French designer Roland Mouret will dress men from next year, the paper has confirmed that Italian fashion giant Ittierre will license John Galliano's first men's wear range.

While Galliano is responsible for the creative direction of French luxury fashion house Dior (in addition to his own label, John Galliano), this new line will be down-to-earth in comparison, with the designer eyeing a "contemporary-priced, 'urban casual' sportswear line."

Available from fall 2010, the collection will include outerwear, knits, shirts, jackets, jeans and accessories for "trendsetting, extravagant, adventurous" 18- to 35-year-olds, according to Ittierre.

Desires for more luxurious men's wear will well be catered for by Mouret, who is planning to sell suits priced from $1,600 to $3,800, starting next spring.

Why this sudden branching out into men's clothing? Simple: "There is a moment in my life that I didn't find at all what I really wanted to wear," Mouret was quoted as saying, even though he doesn't hide his priorities: "I don't want to do catwalk because as much as I like women on the catwalk, I don't like men," he said. "Women walk, men just don't get it."