Zara
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!
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!
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. 