#NYFW Diary: Michael Bastian, Ernest Alexander, Richard Chai, Duckie Brown

Clockwise from left: Duckie Browne, Michael Bastian, Richard Chai, Ernest Alexander (@outmagazine Instagram)

It's happening all over again! Each season, an army of male models invades the city to help our homegrown designers showcase their latest creations. What's new for Spring 2014 in New York? Here's a shortlist of what you should remember.

Michael Bastian

The Out100 honoree presented a very French-centric collection inspired by the cult movie The Red Balloon and the timeless style of Jacques Tati. The models embodied every possible persona of the frenchman, from the bandana-clad dock boy to the pool-side gigolo (in Michael Bastian's words). Exotic prints (pineapple pants, anyone?) added some lightness to a very sporty wardrobe. Bastian completed most of the looks with a pair of slippers, the fruit of a collaboration with Stubbs & Wootton. Spotted in the front row: actor Cheyenne Jackson, who gaves us his first impressions after the show. We also got to speak to the designer after he took his bow:

Ernest Alexander

For his second ever menswear collection, accessories designer Ernest Sabine was inspired by a recent trip to Venice, Italy. His classic line of double-breasted blazers, tailored shorts, and button-down shirts was elevated by stunning Liberty floral prints, and extra-large waxed canvas travel bags with leather trims. We'll take one in every color! See the complete collection here.

Richard Chai

The CFDA laureate, Richard Chai keeps drawing a crowd of glitterati to his runway shows: This season, Diesel's new creative director Nicola Formichetti was spotted chatting with blogger/ANTM judge Bryanboy before the show began, while the Jonas Brothers (yes, all three of them) mingled with Zachary Quinto in the front row. Gossip item: Quinto's rumored boyfriend, model Miles McMillan, also happened to walk in the show. More evidence? As for Chai's collection, it featured flowy silhouettes and a breezy palette of blues, ocher tones, and white. While the wide-legged pants on men caused some eyebrow-raising action in the audience, the padded leather jackets were a home run.

Duckie Brown

Steven Cox and Daniel Silver are on a roll! Surfing on the momentum of their CFDA nomination earlier this year and a triumphant fall collection, the fashion power couple decided to explore our childhood's boy/girl complex for Spring '14. Seems like the Duckie Brown man rummaged through his mom's closet, dug out a few pieces of choice -- cropped jacket, tunics, and skorts -- and gave them a modern twist with some childish DIY charm. Highlights of the show included a zipped-up hoodie with a lace shell, raffia pants made of a repurposed coffee bean bag, and oversized tuniques with spaghetti straps (for the most assertive of us). George Lewis, Jr., frontman of Twin Shadow, and Scott "The Sartorialist" Schuman didn't stop taking pictures.

Follow @outmagazine on Instragram for more pictures from the runway.