Hey dudes, Stylesight, a NY based trend service is reporting that you should be adding a little shimmer to your swagger with a metallic grey suit. Yes, they're calling it Industrial Influences, and the color of machines and industrial age architectural detailing is now the color of suitings.
Just a year out of London's Royal College of Art, Aitor Throup has become a leading innovator in men's fashion. Still, the Argentinian-born and England-raised designer does not want to be limited to the label of "fashion designer." Throup does a lot more than send clothes down a runway. His portfolio looks more like a fantasy illustrator than that of a fashion designer and his collections are inspired by shockingly detailed comic narratives which he creates. We've got more after the jump.
Posted by Laura Kenkel
photos from fashionindie.com
His first collection, "When Football Hooligans Become Hindu Gods," was created after Throup imagined a group of killers seeking repentance by becoming Hindu deities. From there, Throup sketched designs to serve as depictions of the hooligans-turned-Hindu-gods, with details like pig-shaped bags and animal-headed hoods serving as indicators of each persona.
On the runway, Throup's intricately detailed outerwear, tapered pants, and surprising accessories are gothic and dreamlike. However, with unfussy construction and the use of classic fabrics like Harris tweed, the pieces are relaxed enough to hold their own during daytime.
Amuse yourself with every glimpse of your reflection with one of the new Mirror Ts from Yoko Devereaux. These graphic T-shirts have simple musings printed backwards across the chest so you can perform your daily affirmations in style. Also fun are their stylish suspenders with phrases running from one clip to the other. Other pieces from the fall/winter 2007 collection include tailored vests, jersey military jackets, and dropped crotch pants in a sophisticated color pallette of cranberry, navy, and gray.
Posted by Laura Kenkel
Takashimaya, the Japanese department store known for its unique selection of hard to find Japanese and European designers, is hosting an event featuring Danish design in their Fifth Avenue flagship. The event and exhibition, “Danish Design and Takashimaya Style- The Best of a Creative Nation” will run through the spring/summer 2008 season and features eight designers, many of which have never been featured in the U.S.
More after the jump.
Posted by Alexandra Ben- Gurion
photo by thecityreview.com
This event and exhibition is not limited to wearable fashion, but extends to fashion for the home as well, including Danish furniture, décor, and food. The entirety of the store, which includes all six floors, is participating in this event including, Takashimaya’s renowned Tea Box tea salon which is featuring a Danish fusion bento box by Scandanavian chef, Claus Meyer
“Times change and so does fashion. The traditional way of thinking and how to organizing tradeshows change with it,” said Gaetano Marzotto, the director of Pitti Uomo at a press conference in Florence yesterday. “Pitti Uomo is not just a menswear tradeshow, but also a fashion platform where the needs of the entrepreneur play an important role. Visitors from Paris, London, Berlin and Barcelona expect an excellent service, special events, but most importantly an overview of inspiring fashion.” And with that, Pitti Uomo goes co-ed, introducing womenswear for spring. The Pitti W_Woman Precollection will feature 40 fashion brands at the Customs House based on the Via Volfanda January 9 - 12 2008.
Meanwhile... over in Milan, the collection Christopher Bailey designed for Burberry Prorsum reflected the heavy metal revival that's just making a comeback in London, and mixed it with a sense of luxury. What we got was metallics, sheen and skinny suits worn with trenches for boys and ruched chiffon, leather belts studded with military medallions, and stacks of chain bracelets all put together in a way that reminded us of the early 90s- tough, glam, and over the top.
Prada described her collection as being "about trying to find a new creativity," and the collection balanced fluid sheer fabrics printed with dreamy art-nouveau-ish prints, with long lean knits. The tulip-inspired shoes were awesome this season. We've got pics after the jump.
photos: style.com
BURBERRY PRORSUM
PRADA
We started the (capsule) show because we saw a movement in menswear coming to the forefront. We feel the energy coming from the dozens of amazing independent menswear designers out there, and we decided to bring them together under 1 roof in NYC-- the fashion capital of the world. David Colman noted this earlier this month in the NYT and wrote "How New York Got Its Look Back". He writes, "Mr. Bastian; Mr. Hamilton; Mr. Lippes; Marcus Wainwright and David Neville of Rag & Bone; Adam Kimmel; and Patrik Ervell — are trying to design like Europeans. Rather, they are taking the American men’s wear vocabulary and spinning it with a European sensibility. The results are classic clothes, but with a fashion-consciousness that focuses attention on luxurious fabrics and a slimmer cut (at Michael Bastian); an unexpected color palette and a weathered feel (at Tim Hamilton); an artsy silhouette and offbeat detailing (at Adam Kimmel)..."
Check out the full story here.
Premium denim gets some love today as The NY Times reports on LA's revived jeanswear industry and profiles Bread Denim and the Stronghold. Read the full story, Reborn in the USA, here.
Deirdre headed down to New Zealand Fashion Week last week and was given the royal treatment. We are amazed at how many great designers are down there, despite the country's small size. Some of our faves included Huffer, Nom D, and Zambesi. We've got a full trend recap here.
Today's WWD reports that a new crew of money men are hitting the fashion circuit seeking young designers with potential to grow-- generally companies with sales between $2 and $100 million. "The potential buyers include investment funds and private equity firms such as the recently formed TSM Capital, founded by industry veteran Marvin Traub along with Mortimer Singer and Aslaug Magnusdottir, and The Atelier Fund, which was launched this year by Marty Wikstrom and Dawn Mello," the article reads. Get the full story here.
If you are anything like us, you did not attend GQ's gala last week to celebrate its 50th year, but you did receive the 50th anniversary issue in the mail this week. The magazine has several cover options, and celebrates the 50 most stylish men of the past 50 years. There are 10 different covers (collect them all!) featuring sartorial icons such as Al Pacino, Muhammad Ali, Sean Connery, Michael Jordan, Paul Newman, Jack Nicholson,Tom Brady, Johnny Depp, Robert Redford and JFK (which is already selling on eBay for upwards of $10 a pop!). See a slideshow of the 50 of the past 50 at gq.com. It's a fun read or a good study break when things get a little slow at the office. We've got a few of our favorite style icons after the jump.
We love a good cause, so we were happy to learn that with this issue GQ has gotten involved in charitable causes, launching The Gentlemen's Fund. It will also involve the GQ Mobile text-messaging service and in-store events, reports today's NYT. John Legend has donated his time and reputation to be the spokesman, and will encourage people to make donations online, to buy merchandise from participating brands and from eBay auctions. All proceeds are to benefit five organizations in areas like education, men’s health and the environment.
Bjorn Borg
David Hockney
Pete Doherty
Hedi Slimane
George Best
Andre 3000
Mick and Keith
This fashion week, the eyes over at Men.Style were drawn to eyewear. Persol 649 sunglasses made memorable appearances in several mens' shows, including Rag & Bone and Obedient Sons. The sleek shades seem to take a cue from the longtime best-selling Wayfarers by Ray-Ban. If you never caught on to that fifty-year bandwagon, get a headstart this time around. Unique details such as notch-detailing around the nose and a larger, rounder design modernize this timeless frame. The look is trendy without being overwhelming - and a sturdier spring twist on aging aviators. Read the complete Men.Style article here.
Posted by Laura Kenkel
photo by men.style
If you're like me, youre kind of intrigued by Todd Oldham. We love his La-Z-boys, and his appearances on MTV were kinda cool, although perplexing. He was downright scary on Bravo's Top Design last season, wasn't he? And we can't remember what his fashion was all about. How does he keep landing these cool fashion gigs? It was just announced that he's been named Creative Director of Old Navy. Oldham plans to also launch a collection under his own name for the retailer as well. We cant wait to see Oldham's stamp on the brand.
We are looking forward to seeing Armani's latest foray into personal electronics. The designer is slated to debut a new mobile phone at his show on Monday Spetember 24, reports Reuters, MILAN (Reuters) - Italian designer Giorgio Armani has joined forces with Samsung Electronics to design a television and a mobile phone, along with other consumer electronics, the companies said on Sunday. Armani, one of Italy's leading fashion designers, will unveil a mobile phone model on September 24 at his show for Giorgio Armani womenswear for spring and summer 2008, joining several other designers who have already tapped this market. The Armani-Samsung phone will be the size of a credit card and 10.5 millimeters thick. An LCD TV will be unveiled in January 2008. "We make as much of a personal statement with the mobile phones that we carry or the televisions that we have in our living rooms as we do with the shoes and bags we wear or the furnishings we choose," the designer said in a statement.
Although the temperatures are hovering around the 80s in New York this week, today marked the first day of fall. To prepare for the cold days just around the corner, head over to the Alife Rivington Club store in the Lower East Side and pick up a Penfield Walkabout jacket ($250). The limited-edition down coats have all the Penfield signatures: durability, function, and fashionable form. They even come with a matching nylon bag for easy storage 'til the temperatures fall. Since the outerwear line has just recently returned to the US after more than a ten-year hiatus, the three-hundred red, black, and purple jackets are sure to sell out fast, so hurry!
Alife Rivington Club Inc, 158 Rivington St., 212-375-8128
Posted by Laura Kenkel
Designers Marithe & Francois Girbaud are 2 of the most innovative designers in the denim business. Designing for over 20 years, the duo have done everything from couture denim to high end runway designs, and a jeanswear label licensed to US company IC Isaacs. This season, Francois is working to evolve his licensed jeanswear collection to mirror the directional, experimental designs he creates for his European contemporary label. We’ve got a few pics after the jump. We also hear from Fashion Wire Daily that Marithé and François Girbaud have launched a new company in a joint venture with the Ferretti family, owners of luxury label Aeffe, aimed at creating a 100 million Euro (or $136 million) enterprise in the next three years. 
If youre an artist or a designer, it's nice to have fans who are passsionate about your work, and designer Matthew Williamson has a big fan in Prince. The British designer is celebrating his 10th year in business, and last night's fashion show, his first in London after showing in NYC for 5 years was nothing but amazing as Prince made a surprise appearance. The star jumped out of the front row and began a short set of some of his greatest hits including "Kiss". We've got some photos from the riot of color and pattern that was the Williamson show after the jump.
photos:style.com
Think you know a lot about color? Take this color trivia test and see how you score. If you're into color, don't miss the annual "Color Now!" symposium, hosted by The Color Association of the US taking place today and tomorrow in NYC. The 2 days symposium will address three prominent issues: global influences, 'green' design, and forward-thinking innovations. Guest speakers like textile designer Mark Pollack and Erik L'Heureux from Dallas architecture firm Perkins + Will will surely have colorful comments that will set your mind ablze with rich ideas for your work.
image:coolhunting
We don't know how he does it but Sir Paul Smith continues to make color look so appealing, even to strict black-meets-gray Manhattanites like us. "Hockney meets Bloomsbury" is how he describes his women's collection for Spring. What he delivered was a fresh looking long and loose silhouette, pops of bright color against black and white, with a bit of an early 90s' edge. He accessorized each model with oversized glasses that are so popular in Europe right now for a pseudo-intellectual effect.
photos: style.com
Over the past few months, the Nu Rave has gone pop; Madonna frequents Misshapes parties, their “it” girl Aggyness Deyn has been doing far more runway shows than partying, and designer/ ex-Super Super Magazine editor, Kesh is in this month’s issue of British Vogue. So apparently, while whatever credibility the scene may have had is dead, the whole acid-pop, day-glow look is still in. And by the looks of the spring McQ runway show, it would seem that we’re going to be seeing a lot of London streetstyle in the upcoming months. (More after the jump.) Posted by Virginia Jackson-Reed
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McQueen’s spring collection was truly a motley assemblage of pieces; there was everything from brightly colored jackets with matching footless tights to the classic AC/DC, British schoolboy style uniform. A few personal favorites of mine include his various interpretations of the windbreaker and a pop art t-shirt with Keith Haring style graphics.
Now while McQueen claims that the inspiration for the collection is the Olympics, it is rather apparent that the only Olympics that he could have possible found as an inspiration are the 2012 London Olympics (with its gaudy, and apparently seizure inducing Nu Rave-style logo.) Whatever the case may be, while the collection may not be nearly as captivating as Marc Jacobs', it certainly is far more wearable.
*Oh, and click here to see the actual promo video that was causing all the controversy
This time last year in Milan, Prada took us a voyage to East with their Spring 2007 collections bright silk collection—and of course, the infamous turban! Phillip Lim follows suit and takes a similar cue with harem pants for his spring collection. Proving that sometimes even the gaudiest of garments can be chic with a little tweaking.
Sunday’s 3.1 Phillip Lim show was utterly amazing! Even as a relatively new designer the 2007 CFDA nominee has shown a very deft ability to play with patterns, colors and silhouettes to create pieces that are not only wearable, but diverse; a single collection could be worn by any and everyone from Chloë Sevigny to Katie Holmes. "I wanted to make clothes that were ready for travel," Lim said of the collection. And while everything was beautiful, the collection was a bit varied. Granted, all the pieces had this air of laidback chic, which is ever-present in the wardrobe of the “Jet Set.” But by far, the harem pants were a personal favorite of mine. After Vera Wang’s silk Jodhpurs in the spring, I’ll admit I’ve been patiently awaiting the perfect harem-inspired slacks; in come Phillip Lim.
There’s always been something undeniably sexy (and slightly subversive) about a woman in man’s suit. From Yves Saint Laurent’s introduction of “Le Smoking” suit, (which stopped the iconic Nam Kempner from being admitted entry to a swank restaurant in the ‘60s,) to Kelly Clarkson in the August issue of Elle. With that in mind, menswear served as the inspiration for a few runway shows this past week.
I’ve heard it said by many men that there is nothing sexier than seeing a woman wearing nothing but one of their shirts. Perhaps that’s why oversize blouses peppered the Spring 2008 runways. From Preen to Ralph Lauren, that whole “androgynous glam” thing was in full effect. Proenza Schouler’s structured pieces had a very military, safari feel to them (pictured left). While for Lauren’s 40th anniversary, he chose to channel some of his best-known themes including haberdashery, equestrian, and his best-loved WASPy, New England prep look. Even the fun loving club kids down at Heatherette sent a gingham waistcoat down the catwalk. Frankly, I love it! And the best part is that you don’t have to skip out on a month’s rent, you can just raid your boyfriend’s closet.
Posted by Virginia Jackson-Reed
photos: style.com
Philip Lim
Ralph Lauren
Preen
Heatherette
While Malcolm Gladwell's "Tipping Point" explores how a trend emerges from obscurity to the mainstream, a new book says even small trends can have big effects. College-educated nannies, home-schooled children, spouses who are together only at weekends and home-buyers with bad credit all have the potential to change society, according to "Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow's Big Changes" (Twelve, $29.99).
Young British designer Gareth Pugh packed the house this week as every important buyer and editor came to see his fantasy-inspired collection and dramatic show production. We've also got picks frm some other hot ticket shows including the Topshop show, Armand Basi, Peter Jensen, and Todd Lynn. And that's just the beginning! We' have more reportage from London as the week spins by...
photos: style.com
GARETH PUGH
TOPSHOP UNIQUE
TODD LYNN
PETER JENSEN
ARMAND BASI
Forget serving tables to save up for professional photographs, Molly West has just completed her second round in New York Fashion Week after sending cellphone pictures to some of New York City’s top modeling agencies about a year ago. The 20-year-old central California native, who was picked up by VNY Model Management, shares some highlights from some of spring 2008’s hottest collections after the jump.
Posted by Laura Kenkel
photo provided by molly west
Q: How were you involved with Fashion Week?
A: I was in four shows: Lerario Beatriz, Marie Marie, Elise Overland, and Tory Burch, for the second time. I was also the “look model” for Jill Stuart, which means the designs were tried on me to decide what to put in the show. I loved getting a sneak peek at her collection!
Q: How were the ambiances of each runway show different?
A: Each designer really wanted to be fresh and new; they didn’t want to do something that had been done before. It’s incredible how much thought and time goes into making each look unique! For Lerario Beatriz, we were all dolled up, whereas at Elise Overland everything was very simple and clean. At Marie Marie, there was a definite French vibe, from the music they played to the clothes we wore, and at Tory Burch there were more classic additions to her great signature looks.
Elise Overland photo from elle.com
Q: If you could have taken any outfit home, which one would it have been?
A: My outfit for Elise Overland was absolutely my favorite. I wore a see-through beige dress with a cropped leather vest and mens knee-high black riding boots to complete the look. Elise Overland’s collection most closely resembled my style – I could see myself wearing all of the pieces right off the runway!
Marie Marie photo from elle.com
Q: What were some of the most exciting aspects of the week?
A: For Marie Marie, I got to wear my ballet shoes and do some ballet on the runway. Also, Bobbi Brown did my make-up for Tory Burch, which was amazing!
Tory Burch photo from style.com
Q: Which designers have you set your eyes on for next Fashion Week?
A: I love Betsey Johnson and Anna Sui because their shows are exactly how I think fashion should be: TOTALLY FUN! I also like Phillip Lim and Reem Acra’s shows because of their beautiful clothes and runways.
Q: Now that things have calmed down a bit, how have you been spending your days?
A: I am doing Reem Acra’s showroom every single day this week and next. One of the dresses I wore just got sent to LA for Angelina Jolie!
Q: Do you travel much? What city is inspiring you right now?
A: So far, I've only been to Miami for a photo shoot, but I do travel back and forth to California a lot to visit my family! New York inspires me because of its diversity and all the unique people I've met here.
Q: Who is your favorite designer and why?
A: Betsey Johnson is my favorite designer. I love her fun style of clothes. She just has an amazing personality and really shows it through her designs.
Q: What music are you listening to now?
A: The bands that are on repeat in my ipod are Panic At The Disco, Rilo Kiley, The Postal Service, and Alkaline Trio. I've also been listening to a lot of old Korn!
Q: Describe your personal style.
A: Comfy bohemian rocker chic!
We're so glad John Bartlett is back on the NY scene. The designer opened his very own boutique in the West Village last week, right after NY Fashion Week came to a screeching halt, and of course his opening party was filled with all the pomp, circumstance, glamour and hotties we've come to expect from a John Bartlett production. Our man Cator Sparks was there checking out the scene-- read his blog for the full effect.
Gingham plaid is just one of the major trends that stood out last week at NY fashion week. Refinery29 has a roundup of some of the best trends out there. Click here to see the full story.
"With a talented wave of young Scots hitting the runways; designers like Luella Bartley, Matthew Williamson and Stella McCartney back on the schedule; and an inspiring underground scene-- maybe you've heard of Boombox? -- the city is hotter than ever," and Style.com has a great preview to London Fashion Week here.
text & image: style.com
We've been fans of stylist Rachel Zoe since her fashion editorial days at YM magazine when she still had Rosenzweig as her very uncool and ethnic surname. She always turned it out during fashion week, standing out from the sea of fashion professionals with her well put together, totally directional looks. So we werent surprised when her star took off and she became THE stylist to the stars, both shaping careers of young starlets, and launching fashion crazes. Today's NYT magazine has a profile of her,called Being Rachel Zoe, that makes old Raisin Face (as her ex-client Nicole Richie unkindly named her) look driven, talented, passionate, and a little crazy. It's a definite must-read.
The new T magazine is out today and its all about men's fashion. There's some great fashion info at the front of book, and an in-depth interview with Sydney Toledano by Cathy Horyn. Stella McCartney's furniture-making hubby, Alasdhair Willis is profiled, and there's dozens of pages of compelling photography. Pick up a copy of the NY Times today. And, for a jiggy preview, click here for a slide show of YSL's Stefano Pilati giving French actor Melvil Poupaud a YSL makeover.
There's lots of great stuff going on in London this week. London is where its at for young designers and there are some great presentations like MAN- a group show of London's up and comers sponsored by Topman, and Stella McCartney's first London show for Adidas. And, we love Aggy-- cant wait to see her all week long..
We've got the full catwalk schedule after the jump!
| Saturday 15th September | ||||
| 09:30 | Paul Costelloe | BFC Tent | ||
| 10:30 | Gavin Douglas | SW3 | ||
| 11:45 | Caroline Charles | BFC Tent | ||
| 14:00 | Ben De Lisi | BFC Tent | ||
| 15:45 | Bora Aksu | BFC Tent | ||
| 17:00 | Ashley Isham | WC2 | ||
| 18:15 | Unconditional | BFC Tent | ||
| 19:30 | Issa | SW3 | ||
| Sunday 16th September | ||||
| 09:30 | PPQ | BFC Tent | ||
| 10:45 | Armand Basi | WC1 | ||
| 12:00 | Danielle Scutt | TS/WC1 | ||
| 12:00 | Louise Goldin | TS/WC1 | ||
| 13:15 | Amanda Wakeley | BFC Tent | ||
| 14:30 | Peter Jensen | TS/WC1 | ||
| 15:45 | Gareth Pugh | BFC Tent | ||
| 17:00 | Todd Lynn | TS/WC1 | ||
| 18:15 | Eley Kishimoto | BFC Tent | ||
| 19:30 | Julien Macdonald | W1 | ||
| Monday 17th September | ||||
| 09:30 | Marios Schwab | TS/WC1 | ||
| 10:45 | Luella | W1 | ||
| 12:00 | Jasper Conran | BFC Tent | ||
| 13:15 | Margaret Howell | W1 | ||
| 14:30 | Christopher Kane | TS/WC1 | ||
| 15:45 | John Rocha | BFC Tent | ||
| 17:00 | Basso and Brooke | W11 | ||
| 18:15 | Jonathan Saunders | EC2 | ||
| 19:30 | Ann-Sofie Back | TS/WC1 | ||
| Tuesday 18th September | ||||
| 09:30 | Duro Olowu | W2 | ||
| 10:30 | Paul Smith Women | SW1 | ||
| 12:00 | ||||