Wrestling is in Fashion

At Milan Fashion Week back in June, Versace presented their menswear for Spring/Summer 2013.  The runway show opened with a series of models dressed as pro wrestlers (or ancient Roman gladiators) strutting to the classic Queen song: “We Will Rock You.”

The designer, Donatella Versace, has received mixed reviews for this unusual show.  Now I am no fashion expert (except that I do enjoy me some Project Runway), but I understand why she dressed the models as “pugilists” as she called them.  I “get” the story she is telling here.

(Also, I always dig it when pro wrestling invades other parts of our society, especially places like the stuffy, uber-serious world of high fashion.  So way to go, Donatella!)

Versace is now trying to re-launch and breathe new life into their men’s underwear line.  But how can briefs be presented in a public runway show?  Most men don’t walk around nearly naked, so it just looks strange and out-of-place and somewhat homo-erotic to see exposed bulging underwear on the catwalk.

But there is one place in our society where men actually do appear in public wearing little more than their skivvies — in the sport of pro wrestling.  By dressing the models as wrestlers, Versace has given us a plausible reason why these guys are nearly naked strutting around in their underwear.  They’re on the way to the ring (or the Colliseum) to do battle, so that is why they’re partially undressed.

The trouble with selling underwear to men is that it can feel very homoerotic very fast.  Most men will experience feelings of Gay Panic if they see another man in colorful briefs.  You can’t sell the product if the buyers are afraid of it.  Most men will just keep wearing their faded old boxers rather than shopping for flashy designer undies and risk being outed as a sissy.

But gladiators and pro wrestlers are Real Men, right?  They fight, they’re not faggots.  They are the ideal in masculinity, so it is OK to look at them and aspire to be like them.  Versace was therefore wise to use icons of machismo to present men’s underwear to men.

Pro wrestling averts feelings of Gay Panic in the same way — by presenting the wrestlers as rough, masculine fighters, not homos.

Some reviewers have noted that these models are more buff, muscular, and bulky compared to the usual anorexic male model, and I believe that was intentional.

People who left comments on a YouTube video of this fashion show have noted that the models aren’t walking in the usual graceful way.  I believe that they were probably instructed to stride like warriors rather than glide like faeries.

The thick metal belts around their waists also add an element of hardness and strength, a decidedly butch vibe. The intent of these departures from the usual menswear fashion show is clearly to showcase and honor masculinity, to play up the manliness, to present the new underwear designs as something that labels you as a stud, not something that labels you as a sissy.

The collection also included some more conventional looks — suit jackets, tshirts, long pants.  But in most cases, a reference was made to the ancient gladiator or flamboyant wrestler, for example by putting the model in laced up pink boots.

I hope this means we will see wrestling inspired looks in the wearable clothing in stores this spring.  Will we see trench coats that resemble Mr. Wonderful’s robes? Can we all throw away our hoodies now and replace them with silky ring jackets?  How about belts that are thick and metallic rather than thin and leather?  And sandals or boots that lace up to your knee?

Let’s keep our eyes open and see if we can identify any mainstream clothing items next year inspired by our favorite sport.

Someone at Versace must be a true fan of pro wrestling, because they did a remarkable job capturing some of the designs and styles worn by actual wrestlers.  They featured a Baby-Face in white, Heel in black, and even a Jobber in pink. Similar to pro wrestling trunks, Versace’s designs emphasized the masculine endowment of the wrestler/model, for example with laces on the front of the briefs over the crotch.

They also didn’t forget the primacy of the Championship belt as an image of power and wealth.  They gave us jackets, vests, and flowing robes that many wrestlers would wear to the ring (if only they could afford Versace.)  Some of the models wore thick bracelets around their wrists, similar to the tape that wrestlers apply before a match.  Whoever styled these models did a good job injecting the look and feel of the sport.

I believe Versace’s message presented during this fashion show is the same as pro wrestling’s message: that masculinity is alive and well, that it is still OK for men to be rough, tough, and powerful, that guys can embrace and enjoy their manhood.   In fact, it remains a dog-eat-dog world, and men must be ready to act as gladiators, pugilists, and warriors every day in order to get ahead.

And at the same time, options are available to the modern man to appreciate the beauty of the male form, to adorn himself and showcase himself without feeling feminine, to use colors and fabrics and designs to express his feelings and tell the world about himself without feeling unmanly for doing so.