Latest Event Updates
Celebrity Branding: Kanye West x A.P.C.
Every now and then collections will use models solely for runways and bring in actual celebrities to represent their brands. After numerous success stories of celebrity/brand pairings when it comes to sales, its no wonder why the most popular ads we see are of celebrities and those very same brands are raking in record amounts of revenue. You have Jay-Z for Barneys, Rihanna for River Island, and now Kanye West’s second collection for A.P.C. Looks like it runs in the Roc Nation family.
“After his first collection with French label, A.P.C. sold out in minutes and crashed the store’s website, Kanye West is once again partnering with the Parisian clothing company for a new collection of menswear. Ye and A.P.C. founder Jean Touitou recently revealed the new line at a showroom event during Paris Fashion Week. The threads are set for a late summer-early fall release”
-C. Vernon Coleman (XXLMag.com)
Looking at the urban minimalist approach presented in Paris recently, you instantly get the impression that Kanye had pieces created to be specifically paired with others throughout the collection; all the while remaining true to his own personal style. Slight detailing of fitted bombers with shearling collars, over-sized capes, and coats with fur lapels kept Kanye’s style apparent and are sure to draw money from those fans who acquire his taste, but on a less expensive level.
Washed out denims and buckwheat colored Timberland boots dominate the artists collection and keeps it synonymous with today’s urban grunge scene with familiar styles of layering and nonchalant stances to keep things simple but luxurious. The question we should all be pondering is will there be any interesting limited edition pieces added to the collection for the F/W 2014 holiday season?
Keep a lookout! However, also expect to see these looks in mass marketed stores as the season rolls in. Links attached!
PFW Exclusive: Consolidating Complexity
Paris Men’s Fashion Week is coming to a close. By the end of the day tomorrow, bloggers, writers, photographers, designers, and models will all be setting their schedules to work around the anticipated Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, starting February 6-13 in New York! Pretty exciting, right? However, lets first recap two truly creatively complex collections by both Haider Ackermann and Dries Van Noten.
Haider Ackermann‘s F/W 2014 menswear collection (pictured above) brings complexity to minimalism. Using muted shades of gray, soft ivory, and touches of black leather the collection exudes maturity and a desire to draw intrigue without an overwhelming sense of testosterone. Ackermann’s diamond print pattern used on multiple topcoats, trousers, and scarves is what will captivate consumers because it’s unique. However, the amazing use of layers is what makes this such a strong collection. Lots of layering between basic vest, blazers, and coats run rapid through the collection. Although it’s something familiar we’ve seen over time, this collection is not a look back, it’s strong example of the modern man ahead.
Dries Van Noten‘s F/W 2014 (above) collection takes a more urban approach to consolidating complexity. Throughout the collection, you see lots of variation with vibrant colors ranging from pastel purple and neon yellow, to forest green and highlighted blues. Designed using light materials such a nylon and what looks to be nylon/cotton based trousers, this collection was obviously made with the intention to capture the appeal of a younger more unpredictable male in today’s society. This collection is very daring when it comes down to the details. One look has trousers with camouflage print at the top and as you go down they transition into a solid mustard yellow with grey nylon striping to contrast the two; it’s a lot of pattern blocking.
Noten’s latest collection is for a specific type of man..one not so traditional.
Despite the obvious distinction between a classic casual man (Haider Ackermann) and a modern day eclectic (Dries Van Noten), one thing remains common within both collections and both styles of dress. When layering is done, whether it be with patterns or basics, items of the same color are to be used in order to keep one’s intrigue centered on the entire outfit as opposed to all over the place. Take a chance and dress with all your solids up top and just use patterned trousers to attain this look, or vice verse. Look through both collections and you’ll see that’s exactly what the designers have done to keep things clean.
All you need: Intriguing color, printed pattern, balance.
Try it out!
Style Stalking: David Gandy (1.4 Million Dollar Model)
In 2013, David Gandy was listed as the 1.4 million dollar male model on the Forbes list. Here we are only a few days into the new year and he’s already setting the bar high and drawing lots of attention to himself with his latest fashion choices, not with which runway he’s walking, but more so with which event he’s attending. Each one he’s showed up to thus far he’s managed to steal the spotlight. Then again, if you’ve been in the business since 2001, you’re considered a pro by now, right?
“Gandy, 33, has long been a favorite face of Dolce & Gabbana. In the business since 2001, he has held contracts with Hugo Boss, Banana Republic and Massimo Dutti. Though he isn’t No. 1 on this year’s list, the industry veteran is one of the few men to reach supermodel status with work beyond the runway and catalogs. In addition to his role as brand ambassador for Johnnie Walker Blue and Whey Hey ice cream, a company in which he owns a stake, Gandy hawks his own training app and writes about fashion for British Vogue and GQ.(New York agency: Ford Models)”– Forbes.com
Above are Gandy’s latest looks of 2014, mostly at appearances during London Men’s Fashion Week. After learning, that Gandy is an actual writer for British Vogue and GQ, i’m sure we all now understand how he manages so effortlessly to piece together his clothing without the help of a stylist on set. If you look at the photos above, you’ll notice how impeccably tailored his suits are to fit him as well as his amazing ability to accessories his looks with printed pocket squares, a striking pair of sunglasses, and even beautifully finished dress shoes that usually contrast with his suiting.
Gandy has set the bar high, but his looks always remain true to one common principal; keeping things clean! Know your colors, learn your stripes, and try playing around with the idea of contrasting. When you know your colors, patterns, and yourself…you’ll better understand which things look best on you and possibly begin to see ways that you can step outside of your own box and build more appealing looks. Start with a shirt and build from there…good luck!
MFW Exclusive: Philipp Plein’s Noir Cowboy
Noir – Crime fiction featuring hard-boiled cynical characters and bleak sleazy settings.
Philipp Plein could not have been more accurately enticing with his word choice to describe his latest menswear collection for F/W 2014. While the designer has remained true to the natural aesthetic of a western cowboy, he has revamped it…embossing dark heavy leathers with spiked studding, masquerading brilliant fringed scarves, and subtly placing a new age favorite….camouflage print.
Upon first look at the clothing, one might get the initial thought that the clothing represents that of a motor biker opposed to the Clint Eastwood inspired cowboys we see in films. However, upon second glance you begin to notice key detailing that draws you back to that of an old Western flick. Detailing such as the masculine fedora, the graphic deer and human skull heads, the over sized jackets with shearling collars, and we can’t forget about the kick-ass cowboy boots!
In the photos above, if you look closely you’ll see our new age classic, the camo print, subtly detailed onto the puffy bomber jackets. Cowboys have been noted to wear snake and crocodile printed clothing and if you look through Plein’s entire collection you’ll see he made interesting attempts to pay homage to those details that really do define a true Western man’s style. However, it blew me away to see the way he brought those vintage men into 2014 with the rest of us by adding in something familiar to a younger generation, which ultimately makes the entire collection amazingly fresh.
Overall, the collection lives up to the word “noir.” Its dark, its bleak, it’s mildly sleazy…but it’s also cohesive and creates an intriguing story line for what it means to be a classic cowboy apart of a transformed environment.
Take a good look, Plein’s personal style has an honest influence on the collection overall. Trendsetting.
Let me know what you guys think! The link to Plein’s full show is attached! Also check out his incredibly hip website at:
MFW Exclusive: The Dolce & Gabbana Renaissance
From the 14th to the 17th century, the age of renaissance started a cultural movement beginning in Italy. Although there were plenty of great advances in European societies at the time, the world best remembers this time for its artistic developments from artists such as Leonardo di Vinci and Michelangelo. The Mona Lisa by Leonardo and the Creation of Adam by Michelangelo are just two of the greatest works of this time and apparently a strong era of reference for designers today.
Riccardo Tisci (of Givenchy), Gianni Versace, and of course Dolce & Gabbana are three of the best designers who have depicted beautiful statues and angelic paintings into their collections and have mastered it in their own ways. However, if we pay attention to the time period and the way men and women dressed entering the Medieval times we would all see the inspiration for Dolce & Gabbana‘s brilliant FW 2014 menswear collection in Milan!
Iconic. Probably the first words that comes to mind when I first flipped through the photos for this collection. Not only has Dolce and Gabbana spotlighted/reintroduced the amazing idea of printed suiting to the industry in a fresh way, the designers have also managed to match the idea of both the edge accompanying the introduction of the Medieval Times and the romanticism the Renaissance.
The models walked the runway dressed as kings with jeweled crowns or wearing chunky overhead knits scarves with heavily embellished gloves to introduced the idea of knights and lords. It may sound costumey, yet the designers have created new concepts focusing on graphics of kings and churches, contrasting royal colors, and making sure to emphasize the razor sharp tailoring because even without the accessories, the clothing is entirely RTW!
I’m obsessed, in fact, I remember viewing the Viktor & Rolf FW 2013 collection and foreseeing a comeback with printed suiting. Viktor & Rolf was the first place I had seen big graphic printing on suiting, except their prints were a lot less bold. Dolce & Gabbana are very bold for this collection and very inspiring.
This is #1 on my list of top fives for the fall/winter collections of 2014. Perfect!
LFW Style Stalking: Tinie Tempah
Anyone else noticing the interesting style progression of the English rapper, Tinie Tempah?
Sneakers with suiting, basics beneath solids, and those simple blacks frames to set his look…Tempah has taken the familiar idea of simplicity in men’s fashion and graft it into his image as one of the most stylish male artist to date.
Tempah apparently understands that fashion is not to be taken so seriously, a man’s style should be appealing and unpredictable. He’s very eclectic with his styling. Tempah draws influence from urban menswear pairing his Nike’s and Jordan’s with sporty printed suiting, yet he can also dress up double-breasted velvet blazers and satin loafers to create a very high-end sense of style. It’s not easy for a guy to be so versatile on his own, we all know stylist Andrew Davis played a part in styling the artist, but it’s not certain if the two still collaborate with his styling. Regardless, during the London Menswear Collections, Tempah stood out.
This year, might be Tempah’s rise to becoming a full-out men’s fashion icon. Keep watch!
LFW Exclusive: Bold Brits!
This year, the London designer menswear collections for the fall/winter 2014 seasons were presented from Monday, January 6th through Wednesday, January 8th. Most of us here in the United States view menswear over in London as more conservative; very clean-cut. Yet, there were quite a few cheeky outfits and bold statements made as looks embarked down the runways.
The unpredictable styles of MAN, Casely-Hayford, Richard Nicoll, & Astrid Andersen give us an intriguingly fresh perspective on the youth of London and the trends to anticipate this fall!
Richard Nicoll FW 2014 (pictured above) was especially youthful with vibrant icy blues, lots of orange hues, and playful prints. Dotted sweatshirts, tartan checked bombers, and floral printed shorts run rapid throughout the collection, taking the typical and outlining it in bold . One might hear those combinations of prints and think “gross,” however Nicoll has created a truly cohesive collection that is enough to keep the youth attracted and the usual business man appealing.
Astrid Andersen FW 2014 (above) has also picked up on the apparent Euro trend of incorporating icy blues into her new collection. Being a woman with an eye for menswear isn’t easy, I am certain. However, looking through her current collection you’ll find over sized printed jerseys, knit sweatpants, suede hoodies, and even a few embellished bombers with tons of zippers and detailing. Andersen apparently has a keen eye for what men like and knows how to use that to her advantage style wise by introducing bold color schemes and luxurious detailing to the garments to make then even more so appealing to a man. Being comfortable and fashionable is becoming a little easier these days…wouldn’t you agree?
The last two sets of photos are from a designer named MAN. Not only is the collection amazing, it is a collection I believe to have taken the spotlight over all the over shows targeting the youth and creating a visual for that demographic. He’s transformed Mickey into an avant-garde muse all the while creating astonishing concepts by contrasting fabrics and introducing highlighted hues into the collection. The MAN FW 2014 is impossibly fresh and exposes designer Bobby Abley as a true visionary.
Interested more in the designers and their collections? Check out the links attached and be sure to stop by for more coverage!
Stealing the Spotlight: Sean O’ Pry
Ever walk past a few stores in a mall and then suddenly realize the guy/girl you saw in the company ad two stores back is now staring you back in the face at your latest stop? Oh and wait, their face appears to be on the ad outside of the Cartier boutique as well. Well everyone, you’re not going crazy, that’s just what you call a working model.
Sean O’ Pry has withheld the spotlight this fall/winter along as last fall/winter as one of the clothing industry’s lead people to properly represent their brands. Casting and concepts are crucial when it comes to advertising products, O’ Pry gets it done right.
This season, H&M has proven to be O’ Pry’s strongest booking. With a very wide array of photographs capturing the brands youthful yet trendy style for the season, he’s sure to not only gain the appeal of the shopper but to also bring in tons of money for the company. Models.com has placed O’ Pry in the category of “The Money Guys” in which he currently holds the #2 position.
But his reign does not stop there. O’ Pry’s look is commercial but his look also appeals to quite a few high end designers as well.
Above, O’ Pry poses above for two well know clients.The first desinger is Kenzo, a fashion house started in 1970 under the creative direction of Kenzo Takada, currently under creative control of past Opening Ceremony founders Carol Lim and Humberto Leon. And the second is Lucky Brand, a rather new age brand focusing in on denim and the iconic American image it represents, the company came into play in 1990.
I’ve been working with Zara since July 2012 and when the fall/winter season rolled in around October and November of that time, I remember O’ Pry was one of the recognizable faces for our fall/winter 2012 campaigns and videos as well. His looks bring a definite visual of the terms “cool” and “classic,” which I believe is the true key to his success.
Photos of the Zara men’s fall/winter 2012 campaign will be uploaded to the photo gallery. Also check out the awesome interview Carol Lim and Humberto Leon gave TheTalks.com, links attached. Check it out!
Get ready for the holidays!
Style Stalking: Pharrell & Fedora’s
Pharrell Williams has been killing the scene with his urban grunge style! Camo. Tartan. Graphic t-shirts. All common pieces apparent throughout most underground and most up and coming designers these days. However, Pharrell is anything but typical. His style is honestly his own and it’s amazing!
Do you see how adding little details such as the fedora’s, the different colored shoes strings, and the stacking of his wrist wear add so much more appeal to basic garments and can transform an outfit from a mass marketed concept into its own creative idea. The industry will always create pieces based off of what sells most for specific demographics and locations; kind of creating your style for you. Few of us have an honest ability to take those ideas and recreate them for ourselves, making our style more personal.
Pharrell’s style is inspiring. A true urban grunge visionary.
If you’re interested in trying something new. I’m going to advise you guys to style stalk fedora’s…look up some editorials, look up your favorite celebrities, go to your favorite stores and check them out. I personally will suggest checking out the BRIXTON collection of hats sold at Nordstrom and on their website. Links attached!
StyleForecasting: Step In Style
Ready to make your mark as the new age Euro gangster? Buono!
Ditch the rifles and set the stakes high this fall when it comes to your footwear! Menswear would be nothing without your classic tailored suiting, but another staple, is the boot. The more brogue detailing, the darker the saturation of colors, the sleeker the finish…the closer you are to becoming “that guy” to watch this fall/winter season.
GQ.com has a slide show up right now displaying a few amazing pairs of boots to rock with your suiting this season. The footwear featured in the slides range from upscale designers such as Brunello Cucinelli and John Varvatos to more affordable mass marketed stores like Zara and Aldo!
Canali‘s F/W 2013 collection teaches us men the proper ways to pair our boots with suits. Staying on trend, the collection pairs together luxurious velvet blazers and vests with amazing double breasted suits and dress boots with brogue detailing. As we have seen with many collections for this season, Canali boldy uses rich color schemes involving bright yellows, reddish browns, and heather grey’s to increase the appeal of classic garments.
New age Euro bosses know the classics are not so classic these days. Pictured above, is one of the latest trends in menswear, tailored wool trousers paired with a dress boot. This look can also be attained with your traditional suiting made from lighter materials! The whole point of tossing your usual lace up work shoe to the side and trying out a boot is to further anchor your suiting. Without a doubt, this is more of a modern take on menswear, but it is still very practical for this season’s weather.
Beat the seasonal toils of snow, sleet, and frostbite by changing one thing…your footwear! Try it out. Stay interesting!
Uomini di Stile. 