JEFFREY GRAY / LABEL HORROR

Empire State of Mind

2010-01-15T10:46:00.000-05:00

HELLO AGAIN MY LITTLE HORRORS,

TODAY I AM MOVING TO NYC. I HAVE PACKED UP MY LIFE AND BOUGHT A SINGLE TICKET TO MANHATTAN TO BRING YOU ALL THE IN DEPTH, SARCASTIC, FEROSH, AND AMAZIBALLS FASHION COVERAGE YOU CAN HANDLE.

SO PLEASE BARE WITH ME OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AS I GET SETTLED... I WILL TRY TO POST AS OFTEN AS I CAN, BUT NO GUARANTEES.

NYC OR BUST!

XO LABEL HORROR

THANKS KONRAD

2010-01-11T20:17:00.002-05:00

I GOT A SEPHORA GIFT CARD AS PART OF MY CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM MY FRIEND KONNIE. ONE REASON I LOVE GETTING GIFT CARDS IS BECAUSE IT GIVES ME A CHANCE TO TRY PRODUCTS THAT I MAYBE WOULDN'T NORMALLY TRY.

AFTER SHAVE BALM FROM ANTHONY...

AND GLACIAL FACE WASH FROM SKYN ICELAND.

VERDICT: THE AFTER SHAVE BALM IS AMAZING AND GOT RID OF THE RAZOR BURN I ALREADY HAD AFTER ONE USE AND THE FACE WASH IS VERY GENTLE.

THEY SMELL AMAZING, ESPECIALLY THE SHAVE BALM, AND THE PRICES WERE NOT OUTRAGEOUS. THEY WERE BOTH AROUND $25 EACH AND JUST A DAB'LL DO, SO THEY SHOULD LAST A WHILE... AS LONG AS MY MOTHER DOESN'T GET A HOLD OF THEM.

NARS AQUA GEL HYDRATOR

2010-01-11T19:57:00.002-05:00

THIS IS THE BEST MOISTURIZER EVER.
I DISCOVERED THIS WHILE VISITING A FRIEND OUT OF TOWN AND DECIDED THAT I WOULD START USING IT WHEN I GOT BACK HOME. WHILE I WAS THERE I WAS BASICALLY BATHING IN THE STUFF. LIBERALLY SPLASHING IT ON IN LAYERS. IT WASN'T UNITL I CAME HOME AND HEADED TO SEPHORA TO GRAB ME SOME, THAT I REALIZED HOW MUCH I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO DROP IN ORDER TO GIVE MY SKIN THE HIGH IT HAD BEEN CRAVING. THERE WAS A NARS 'SPECIALIST' AT SEPHORA WHEN I GOT THERE, WHO BASICALLY LAUGHED AND SAID THAT THE ONLY PLACE TO BUY IT IN TORONTO WAS AT HOLT'S.

SO I HOPPED ON THE DUNDAS TRAIN AND A FEW SECONDS LATER WAS TRAIPSING THROUGH THE UNDERGROUND TO HOLTS... UP TO COSMETICS... NOW AT THE NARS COUNTER WHIPPING OUT MY CREDIT CARD TO PAY $135 FOR THE 3.6 oz. I HAD THE SUDDEN URGE TO CALL MY FRIEND AND APOLOGIZE... BUT ME BEING ME THE URGE PASSED FAIRLY QUICKLY...

AND ALSO ME BEING ME, KARMA DECIDED TO PAY ME A VISIT WHILE ON VACATION WITH MY MOTHER, WHO IT TURNS OUT WENT RIGHT PASSED MY ECONOMY SIZE PUMP ACTION CETAPHIL AND DECIDED TO EASE HER SUN BATHED LEGS IN MY COVETED NARS AQUA GEL HYDRATOR EVERY EVENING WHILE I WAS DRINKING AT THE BAR.

MORAL OF THE STORY? ... THERE ISN'T ONE, EXCEPT MAYBE, THAT YOU CAN NEVER TRUST YOUR MOTHER.

The Manly Leopard Print?

2010-01-11T13:11:00.000-05:00

WHY DO GIRLS GET ALL THE FASH FUN? IT'S A CONSTANT THORN IN MY SIDE! GUYS HAVE A SOME PANTS, BLAZERS, AND A FEW BUTTON DOWNS, AND MAYBE AN ACCESSORY OR 2...

WE'LL TODAY IT ALL STOPS. TODAY I WILL GO WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE.

L E O P A R D

THE FINISHING TOUCHES

2010-01-09T12:47:00.002-05:00

A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE WAS KIND ENOUGH TO GIVE ME A BUNCH OF HIS GENTLY USED NECKTIES WHEN I VISITED HIM BACK IN OCTOBER. MOST OF THEM ARE IN STORAGE AND WHAT'S BELOW IS ABOUT 1/3RD OF THEM. (THANKS CHRISSY.)

IN ORDER FROM TOP - BOTTOM

I AM SOMEWHAT OF A SUNGLASSES FIEND.... NOT ONLY BECAUSE I LOOK GOOD IN MOST STYLES;) BUT BECAUSE I JUST FEEL BETTER WHEN I HAVE A PAIR ON. THEY ARE AMAZING FOR PEOPLE WATCHING AND IN THE WORDS OF RACHEL ZOE; THEY ARE THE ULTIMATE DO NOT DISTURB SIGN... HELLEAU.

AND EVEN THOUGH I AM A SELF-PROCLAIMED FIEND THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT I AM A SUNGLASSES SNOB. OF COURSE I LOVE ME SOME EXPENSIVE PAIRS. MY FAVOURITE PAIR EVER WERE A PAIR OF BLACK YSL'S I BOUGHT A COUPLE YEARS AGO IN NY. THEY WERE SIMPLE AND I WORE THEM EVERYDAY, UNTIL I LEFT THEM IN THE BACK OF A CAB NEAR THE END OF SUMMER... WHICH BTW, IS HOW I LOSE MOST THINGS. USUALLY BECAUSE ITS LATE AND IM GETTING HOME AFTER A FEW SIPS OF SISTER FRIEND BOOZY BRENDA.

ONE OF THE BAST PLACES FOR SUNGLASSES IN TORONTO IS A CHEAP ASS STORE ON YOUNG STREET CALLED 'IN STYLE'. JUST SOUTH OF MAITLAND ON THE EAST SIDE, BESIDE DISCOUNT T-SHIRT STORES, A ROTI JOINT, AND A HEADSHOP OR TWO IS THIS LITTLE GEM OF A STORE. WALL TO WALL SUNGLASSES WITH THE AVERAGE PRICE OF $20. STEER CLEAR OF THE OBVIOUS TACKY KNOCKOFFS IN THE GLASS COUNTER AND STICK TO THE ONES ON THE WALLS.

AND THEN EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE I'LL GET A SURPRISE WHILE HEADING INTO THE DRUGSTORE TO GET SOME DOVE. THE BELOW PAIR WERE STARING AT ME IN THE FACE FROM THE REVOLVING SUNGLASSES SPINDLE AT SHOPPERS DRUG MART IN THE EATON CENTRE. $20/EACH

AND THEN THERES EVERYONES DIRRRTY LITTLE SECRET... H&M.

SOCKS AND BELT $cheap.

THE ROSARY IS FROM MY TRIP TO THE DOMINICAN. IM NOT A RELIGIOUS PERSON AT ALL ( I BELIEVE IN GOD, I JUST DONT THINK HE'S A PRICK.), BUT I LOVE RELIGIOUS THINGS... BLAME MADONNA.

BARGINS BARGINS BARGINS

2010-01-07T14:58:00.001-05:00

ONE WORD: WINNERS

NOT ONLY DID I FIND SUNGLASSES BY GUCCI, YSL, PRADA, AND MISSONI PRICED AT $150. I ALSO FOUND THIS GEORGOUS CALVIN KLEIN SUIT FOR UNDER $200. I WAS INCHES AWAY FROM BUYING IT UNTIL I REMEMBERED THAT I HAD JUST PURCHASED AN IDENTICAL SUIT FROM HARRY ROSEN... AFTER ALL HOW MANY LIGHT GREY SUITS DOES ONE NEED.

CALVIN KLEIN $199.99

NEW FASH

2009-12-26T22:26:00.007-05:00

IVE BEEN ON A BIT OF A SPENDING FRENZY AS OF LATE... I GUESS IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH ALL THE GREAT PRODUCTS THAT ARE OUT THIS TIME OF YEAR (just in time for xmas), AND PERHAPS IT ALSO HAS A LITTLE SOMETHING TO DO WITH MOVING TO NYC.

FIRST THERE IS MY NEW MACBOOK PRO. THIS IS MY FIRST MAC AND IT TOOK A WHOPPING 30 MINUTES TO GET THE HANG OF IT.

MACBOOK PRO / $1599

APPLE STORE

IN A CITY WHERE FASHION IS NOT ONLY A COMMODITY BUT ALSO A WAY OF LIFE, YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY I WANT TO FEEL MY BEST AND LOOK FRESH STRAIGHT OFF THE PLANE...

ANTI-HERO

113 YORKVILLE AVE.

DIRK BIKKENBERGS PEA COAT / $850

DSQUARED2 JEANS / $350 (reg $599 redick.)

AND HERE IS MY LONG OVERDUE REPLACEMENT WINTER COAT COURTESY OF DIESEL BY WAY OF HOLT RENFREW / $350

MY FESTIVE CHRISTMAS SWEATER THAT BASICALLY MADE ME THE GAYEST FAMILY MEMBER AT CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.... IF YOU KNEW MY FAMILY THATS SAYING QUITE A BIT.

CLUB MONACO / $149

(also pictured my new man tights:)

IVE BEEN CRAVING THESE SHOES FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW AND I FINALLY AQUIRED THEM LAST WEEK FROM BROWNS.

CONVERSE / $80

IVE ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH WALLETS... WHY IN THE HELL DO I WANT A LARGE SQUARE STICKING OUT OF THE SIDE OF MY ASS CHEEK???? THIS FALL PRADA WAS STUDDED BEYOND BELIEF. I'VE BEEN DREAMING OF A PAIR OF THIER STUDDED SHOES BUT HAD TO SETTLE ON THIS CARD WALLET. / $300

AND A FEW TOPS & TEE'S FOR GOOD MEASURE...

AMERICAN APPAREL / $55

BURK MAN BROS- HOLTS SALE / $150

DIESEL $65

THIS CUTE LIL NUMBER IS FROM A TINY TINY TINY STORE ON QUEEN WEST CALLED ALMOST NAKED. THEY CARRY A PLETHORA OF UNDERWEAR & SWIMWEAR FROM FLASHY LABELS WE LOVE.

THIS SHIRT IS BY JOHN GALLIANO / $150 (reg 299 redick.)

(if you didn't notice the decal is a pink baby elephant pooing blue poo on the galliano g!)

IM ALSO HEADING TO PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TOMORROW AND SINCE I BOOKED MY TRIP AFTER I THROW ALL OF MY WORLDLY POSSESSIONS IN STORAGE I SIMPLY HAD TO GRAB A FEW SKIMPY NECESSITIES AND A PAIR OF SUNGLASSES OR TWO.

WASHED MESH TANK AMERICAN APPAREL / $18

D&G BEACHWEAR / $180 (reg $250)

SEERSUCKER SHORTS AMERICAN APPAREL / $75

HIGH CUT 70's INSPIRED SWIM SHORTS ALSO FROM AMERICAN APPAEL / $25 EACH

NOW I AM CUTTING UP MY CREDIT CARDS AND LETTING THE GUILT WASH OVER ME FOR THE NEXT LITTLE WHILE... ON SECOND THOUGHT... S C R E W T H A T!!!! IM OFF FOR A WEEK OF SUN, SAND, AND BOOZE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. BUT AFTER THAT IM DONE SHOPPING.

I SWEAR!

MAYBE...

WE'LL UNTIL I GET TO NYC OF COURSE;)

NEW YORK CITY BOY

2009-12-26T17:38:00.002-05:00

HELLO MY LITTLE HORRORS,
I'D LIKE TO SHARE SOME EXCITING AND FRESHLY SQUEEZED NEWS... I WILL BE LEAVING FOR THE BIG APPLE IN MID JANUARY AND TAKING LABEL HORROR WITH ME... OBVIOUSLY.

I HAVE SOLD MY CONDO, STORED MY BELONGINGS AND BOUGHT A ONE WAY TICKET TO NEW YORK CITY. I WILL BE THERE FROM ANYWHERE BETWEEN 3 MONTHS - 6 MONTHS - FOREVER.

I WILL BE SUBLETTING A STUDIO IN CHELSEA FROM A FRIEND WHO IS OFF TO BRAZIL FOR AN EXTENDED TIME. I AM EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO BRING YOU MY AMAZING EYE FOR FEROSHNESS AND HAPPENINGS FROM THE CENTRE OF THE MODERN WORLD THAT IS NYC. BASICALLY IT'LL BE NYC WITH MY STANK ALL OVER IT.

THE BAND IS IN REHEARSAL, THE RED CARPET HAS BEEN SENT TO THE CLEANERS, AND 1000 WHITE DOVES HAVE BEEN ORDERED FOR RELEASE UPON MY ARRIVAL.

MADONNA FOR DOLCE & GABBANA S/S 2010

2009-12-17T18:13:00.003-05:00

EXCLUSIVE IN THIS WEEKS ITALIAN VANITY FAIR IS THE WORLDWIDE PREVIEW OF DOLCE & GABBANA'S NEW S/S 2010 CAMPAIGN FEATURING POP ICON MADONNA.

SHOT BY LONG TIME FRIEND OF MADONNA AND DOLCE & GABBANA; STEVEN KLEIN. THE FEELING OF THE SHOTS ARE IN REFERENCE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN HERITAGE THAT THE CLOTHES ARE INSPIRED BY.

MADONNA LOOKS GREAT AND HER NEW FACE SHOOTS REALLY WELL.

I ESPECIALLY LOVE THE SHOT OF MADONNA DOING THE DISHES... AS IF.

TO READ MORE ON THE CAMPAIGN FEEL FREE TO CLICKY CLICK CLICK ON D&G'S NEWS BLOG SWIDE BELOW.

http://www.swide.com/luxury-magazine/en/Style/Press-Cuttings/Madonna-in-the-Dolce---Gabbana-campaign--the-images/2009/12/16/

MEN A LA MODE

2009-12-09T17:33:00.001-05:00

MEN WITH IMPECCABLE STYLE:

LIEV SCHREIBER

LIEV GREW UP IN A WEALTHY BLUEBLOODED SOCIETY FAMILY IN PENNSYLVANIA. ADDING TO HIS APPEAL; HE GRADUATED FROM DARTMOUTH AS A WRESTELING AND FOOTBALL STAR. AUSTRIAN / SWISS / IRISH / SCOTTISH + POLAND / UKRAINE / GERMAN = 6'3" OF HANDSOME.

GRATUITOUS:

Pronunciation: \grə-ˈtü-ə-təs, -ˈtyü-\

Function: adjective

(please note: the men a la mode feature had been on hiadus since the spring. but due to requests i will be featuring it more frequently. ENJOY!)

PHILIP SPARKS FALL 2009

2009-12-08T11:22:00.001-05:00

PHILIP SPARKS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE CANADIAN MENSWEAR DESIGNERS, AND IS IN HIS 5th SEASON. THE LOOK THIS FALL IS VERY CANADIANA AND, IS INFACT INSPIRED BY THE CHILDREN'S TALE; PETER AND THE WOLF. THE NORTHERN FEEL IS TONED DOWN AND THE CLOTHES ARE GIVEN THIER GENTRIFICATION BY THE SAVILE ROW TAILORING.

FURS, SUITING, PLAIDS, LEATHERS, HIGH BOOTS, AND KNITS... HERE IS THE 2009 FALL LOOKBOOK.

FANTASTICSMAG

2009-12-07T18:07:00.005-05:00

CHECK OUT THE SUPPLE, GORGE, AND EXQUISITE EDITORIAL FEATURED IN THE CURRENT ISSUE OF FANTASTICSMAG... WHERE STYLE & CULTURE MEET IN A T-BONE COLLISION.

THESE BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHS WERE SHOT AND STYLED BY A COUPLE OF MY GOOD FRIENDS;

D.PICARD BEHIND THE LENS

(d.picard photography)

STYLING CHRISTINE BRANT

(judy inc.)

H&M VANESSA JARMAN

(page one management)

MODEL FRANCES C

(elite models)

CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR THE FULL EDITORIAL.

CLICK THE LINK TO CHECK OUT THE FULL EDITORIAL.

( http://www.fantasticsmag.com/node/3111 )

BUCKLER

2009-11-29T18:08:00.002-05:00

BUCKLER IS A CULT MENSWEAR LINE. ROGUISH AMERICAN ICONS MELDED WITH BRIT EDGE IS THE LOOK AND STYLE THAT EPITOMIZES THE LABEL. ANDREW BUCKLER LEADS THROUGH HIS UNIQUE DESIGN AND LOOKS BREAK TRADITIONAL MENSWEAR BARRIERS.

BUCKLER HAS STORES IN NY, JAPAN, UK, AND NOW CANADA.

WORK IT OUT

2009-11-25T18:08:00.001-05:00

THIS IS PRETTY GAY, BUT THEN AGAIN SO AM I.

THIS IS THE EDITORIAL SHOT BY TERRY RICHARDSON FOR V MAN MAGAZINE. I KNOW I'VE BEEN FEEDING YOU A LOT OF V MAN LATELY BUT IT's MY FAVORITE MAGAZINE AND IT ONLY COMES OUT QUARTERLY. WHICH IS WHY I GET SO DAMN EXCITED WHEN IT FINALLY DOES.

I AM A HUGE FAN OF TERRY RICHARDSON. ALWAYS PLAYFUL / OVERTLY SEXUAL / STARK WITH A POINT & SHOOT AND CANDID FEEL. RICHARDSON USUALLY SHOOTS WOMEN IN THIS FORMAT SO THE BELOW IMAGES ARE A WELCOME LITTLE GEM.

TERRY SHOT GARRETH NEFF (calvin klein / calvin klein man), COREY BOND, TANNER TILLUNG, NATE GILL, AND GREYSON GETTYS IN HIS USUAL ESTHETIC.

Styling Mel Ottenberg / Hair Dennis DeVoy (Art Department) / Grooming Frank B (The Wall Group)

Garrett wears

T-shirt Sisley

Swimsuit Bernhard Willhelm

Socks American Apparel

Sneakers Puma

Corey wears

Singlet Bernhard Willhelm

Socks American Apparel

Shoes Dior Homme

Corey wears

Hoodie Uniqlo

Shorts vintage from Cherry Vintage NYC

Socks Bernhard Willhelm

Shoes Tiger by Asics

Tanner wears

Sweatshirt John Varvatos for Converse

Shorts Adam Selman

Nate wears

T-shirt Guess

Shorts Michael Bastian

Jockstrap vintage from Cherry Vintage NYC

Headband FILA

Socks Bernhard Willhelm

Sneakers Tiger by Asics

(im buying these shoes asap)

From Left: Nate wears

Tank Roberto Cavalli

Shorts Saucony

Socks American Apparel

Sneakers D&G

Garrett wears

Tank Roberto Cavalli

Biker shorts Calvin Klein Collection

Socks American Apparel

Sneakers Cesare Paciotti

From left: Grayson wears

Shorts Victor Glemaud x quiksilver

Swimsuit Juun J for Speedo

Sneakers Converse

Sunglasses Y-3

Tanner wears

Shorts Victor Glemaud x quiksilver

Underwear Björn Borg

Sneakers Lacoste

Sunglasses Y-3

Garrett wears

Swimsuit Dsquared

Socks American Apparel

Sneakers Adidas

V MAN IS CURRENTLY IN NEWS STANDS. (as of nov.16th)

The Bald & The Beautiful

2009-11-17T16:35:00.000-05:00

SHAVED HEADS, RETRO EYEWEAR, AND BUSY BOLD PRINTS ARE THE STLYE DE JOUR FOR THIS EDITORIAL. SHOT BY TONY DURAN FEATURING TOMAS SKOLOUDIK.

TOM FORD / A SINGLE MAN

2009-11-13T19:42:00.002-05:00

I'VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS MOVIE FOR OVER A YEAR. NOT TOO MANY GAY THEMED MOVIES END UP GETTING THIS KIND OF EXPOSURE. ADDING TO THIS IS THE EXCITMENT OF TOM FORD TEAMING UP WITH MAD MEN's PRODUCTION DESIGNER; DAN BISHOP.

THE MOVIE IS BASED ON THE 1963 NOVEL BY CHRISTOPHER ISHERWOOD, SET IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, IT DEPICTS A DAY IN THE LIFE OF GEORGE FALCONER, A GAY PROFESSOR FROM ENGLAND WHO IS SEARCHING FOR THE MEANING OF LIFE AFTER HIS LONG TIME LOVER DIES.

THE MAD MEN-ESQ STYLING LOOKS DELISH AND WELL SUITED FOR TOM FORD's FIRST FORAY INTO FILM DIRECTION. AND AS WE KNOW JULIANNE MOORE ALWAYS LOOKS GREAT IN THIS TYPE OF BACKDROP.

FEATURING

TRUSSARDI EDITORIAL - V MAN

2009-11-12T22:43:00.002-05:00

HERE IS THE REST OF THE TRUSSARDI 1911 EDITORIAL FROM THE FORTH COMING V MAN MAGAZINE (nov 17th) PHOTOGRAPHED AND STYLED BY MILAN VUKMIROVIC; THE CHIEF DIRECTOR FOR THE LABEL.

VMAN caught up with Trussardi creative director Milan Vukmirovic in his Milan showroom the day after his spring-summer 2010 show. When we walked in to the space, which overlooks the Piazza Scala, Vukmirovic was busy tearing open boxes and sorting through a new delivery.

You’re unpacking your own boxes...?

I want to keep my feet on the ground. I don’t want to become the designer who’s always dressed the same, that nobody can talk to. It’s hard because somehow that’s what people want you to become.

Even when I’m in the studio and I do fashion shoots and everything, I can get a bottle of water myself. Some photographers have three or four assistants around – they have 70 people on a photo shoot, it’s too much.

And in this economy, too.

Sometimes you can do even better when you have less – you can’t be wrong because you have less money, so you have to think more about the idea, the creativity, the concept. For me, this moment of economic crisis is very important because a lot of things are changing – it’s not just a financial thing, it’s also a generational thing. So much has changed this year. You know how sometimes there are key moments? I think we’re at a key moment – the new generation that we’re part of doesn’t have the same ways and means to buy or consume fashion as the older generation.

I had this interesting conversation with Beatrice [Trussardi] where I was saying, I love fashion, I’m a client, I have money, I always buy. But I don’t think that people who have money only go to Prada, Gucci, St. Laurent, Balenciaga, and Escada. They also go to American Apparel, Urban Outfitters and Gap, so there’s a complete mix now. There are no rules anymore. Maybe we don’t want a $5,000 or $10,000 bag. Maybe we also want a bag that’s cute and fun. I think luxury has to open itself much more. When you go to Vuitton or Hermes, there’s always something for everybody – at Hermes you have the bracelet for 200 or 300 Euros, you have silk foulards, and crocodile bags. There are things that are nice and not nice, but you can always find something, which is something I like in the idea of luxury because I think a luxury brand has to open itself up – especially Trussardi.

How is Trussardi planning on broadening its client base to reach this new generation?

We’re revamping the brand, we’re coming back. It’s called Trussardi 1911 because it’s the crest of the family – and, in fact, the company’s going to be 100 years old in two years, so it’s the goal of me and Beatrice that in two years the company will have completely renewed. From every store to the restaurant here. It’s an important moment in the company. Beatrice is young, she’s full of energy, full of ideas, and we get along really well.

For me, there are two things – one is to show the quality of the leather and all the savoir faire of the company. Secondly, Trussardi was all about glass, brushed cold metal, and white. I said, let’s use wood, a leather floor – because you’re a leather company – let’s do something warm, leather to smell, some precious, cool marble. Let’s always have this kind of twist.

Learn more about Trussard in VMAN16, out next week.

GUCCI S/S 2010

2009-11-12T20:38:00.001-05:00

GUCCI TENDS TO GET A BIT OF A BAD WRAP FROM INNER CIRCLE FASHIONISTAS; FINDING THEM FLASHY AND A BIT MAINSTREAM. AND ALTHOUGH I CAN SEE WHERE THIS REPUTATION COMES FROM, I DO HAVE RESPECT FOR THE BRAND. SEASON AFTER SEASON FRIDA GIANNINI DELIVERS BEAUTIFUL WELL TAILORED CLOTHES WITH CLEAR DIRECTION AND THAT ALWAYS SEXY GUCCI TOUCH.

STANDOUT PIECES FOR ME ARE THE AZTEC PATTERNED SWEATERS AND THE BLACK/WHITE/GREY WIND BREAKERS.

TRUSSARDI 1911 S/S 2010

2009-11-12T18:17:00.000-05:00

ULTRA LUX ITALIAN LABEL TRUSSARDI 1911's SPRING 2010 LINE IS STUNNING. I ENJOYING THIS FEATHER DETAILED TANK TOP (below). THE EFFECT IS AMAZING AND CAN ALSO BE SEEN ON THIER DENIM SHORTS. ALSO WORTH A MENTION IS THE SUEDE JACKET WITH FRINGE DETAIL AROUND THE BOTTOM CUT (second image below).

MICHAEL BASTAIN S/S 2010

2009-11-12T17:42:00.001-05:00

MICHAEL BASTAIN IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE AMERICAN SPORTSWEAR DESIGNERS. HIS TENDS TO TAKE CLASSIC PIECES AND ALTERS THEM SLIGHTLY... WHITE BUTTON DOWNS w/ ENLARGED PLAID PATTERN, OR PERHAPS CLASSIC BLAZERS w/ SHORTENED SLEEVES.

HIS SPRING/SUMMER 2010 IS NO EXCEPTION. GREAT PRACTICAL CLOTHES WITH ENOUGH NEW DETAILS TO KEEP THINGS FRESH w/OUT REINVENTING THE WHEEL.

OPENING CEREMONY

2009-11-12T17:22:00.000-05:00

Located at 35 Howard Street in Soho, Opening Ceremony is one of my favorite stores. Aside from running into Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese the last time I was there, the merchandise inside its doors are, by its very definition, the essence of cool. The building is a typical Soho structure with a criss crossing fire escape climbing its exterior. Inside there are tonnes of remarkable pieces from a slew of amazing designers. The boutique tends to carry less of the huge labels and more of the smaller, yet still relevant ones. Including Acne, Band of Outsiders, Converse, Comme des Garcon, Jeremy Scott, Patrik Ervill, Raf Simons, to name a few.

Opening Ceremony has such a strong reputation that they’ve teamed up with Chloe Sevigny, Jeremy Scott, Keds, Master-Piece, and Raf Simons to create cooperative lines. The below pieces were the result of a cooperative effort between Pendleton and Opening Ceremony.

Pendleton Woolen Mills is an American heritage founded in 1863 that specializes in manufacturing wool textiles and is perhaps best known for its plaid and Native American patterned blankets. Basically Pendleton is the U.S. version of Canada’s Hudson’s Bay Company’s blankets and coats. Not so much known as the coolest stuff in the world, but definitely heritage pieces. The unexpected surprise is that it works. Below are a few pieces I selected from the Pendleton for Opening Ceremony collection. And while the pieces are loud and bright I definitely think they have a place somewhere in my closet this season.

Opening Ceremony has stores in Tokyo, NY, and LA. http://www.openingceremony.us/

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? VOGUE.

2009-11-11T22:22:00.006-05:00

JOACHIM BALDAUF'S EDITORIAL FOR PAPER PLANES MAGAZINE INTITLED 'You Know You Can Do It' WAS INSPIRED BY MADONNA'S SEX BOOK AND VOGUE. THE PHOTOGRAPHER EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO INCLUDE A MADONNA LOOK-A-LIKE FOR ADDED UMPH.

WHILE THE IMAGES ARE BEAUTIFUL (which is why i'm sharing), I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD HAVE GOT THE MADONNA INSPIRATION. PERHAPS THIS IS FOR THE BETTER AS ANYTHING TO OBVIOUS AND HE IS AT RISK OF A FLAT OUT COPY.

IN ANYCASE THE IMAGES ARE SEXY, SWEET, SEDUCTIVE, AND FULL OF CANDY COATED GOODNESS... JUST LIKE WHATS HER FACE.

FROM THE NEXT V MAN ISSUE

2009-11-11T21:56:00.001-05:00

SIMONE BREDARIOL IN TRUSSARDI

VIDEO GA GA

2009-11-11T21:45:00.001-05:00

RIPPED FROM THE S/S 2010 McQUEEN RUNWAY:

CAN WE JUST TAKE A FEW SECONDS TO REALIZE THE FASHION WERE GETTING HERE?... EVEN IF WE REMOVE THE McQUEEN PIECES, WE STILL GET:

Order Of Apperance In The Bath Haus Of Gaga

LACE EYE PIECES
RAZOR BLADE SUNGLASSES
WHITE VINYL CATSUITS w/ MATCHING PEAK CROWNS
DUSTY ROSE PINK CURLS
TRANSPARENT SILICONE CORSET SHORT
BURBERRY TRENCH w/ PRINT GRAFFITI DETAIL
CRYSTAL CHAINMAIL BREASTPLATE w/ SHOULDER DETAIL & MATCHING HEAD PIECE
GOLD CHIN GUARDS, SILVER RIBCAGE FACE PLATE, LEATHER CHOAKER, AND CHEST HARNESS (seen on the men)
METAL CORSET w/ REVOLVING ORBIT SPHERE DETAIL (also seen on snl)
WHITE FUR JACKET w/ POLAR BEAR CARPET TRAIN DETAIL WORK w/ CARRERA WHITE FRAMED AVIATORS & McQUEEN PUMPS
RED LACE ONE PIECE HALTER TOP LINGERIE w/ GUARDERS & HOSE

WORK BITCH.

ALEXANDER McQUEEN F/W 09/10

2009-11-11T16:40:00.001-05:00

RICK OWENS F/W 09/10

2009-11-11T16:36:00.000-05:00

GUCCI F/W 09/10

2009-11-11T16:08:00.005-05:00

2009-10-27T16:54:00.002-04:00

Versace

Prada

Burberry Prorsum

Dolce & Gabbana

Bottega Veneta

Gianfranco Ferre

Jil Sander

2009-10-27T16:39:00.004-04:00

YSL

JPG

Rick Owens

Issey Miyake

Givenchy

Ann Demeulemeester

Empire State of Mind.

2009-10-21T20:23:00.007-04:00

Dear reader… It’s been 41 days since my last confession. And this one is going to be a bit of a rant.

For starters; I could care less that it’s taken me so long to get back to my little shop of label horrors. I have been extremely busy not working, slapping the snooze button till noon, hitting the gym, flying to NY via the New Jersey AirTrian, and basically feeling sorry for my unemployed self. And although I have to say that a my little severance package has helped, I can not say the same for my network of industry insiders who have all but failed to find me a big fat J O B.

To be truthful I can’t really blame them, the entire industry in Canada is at a crossroads of sorts. But instead of starring Britney Spears, this crossroads stars folded publications and rounds and rounds of layoffs… I was cut on round 5 or 6 at my gig, and I saw it coming well in advance. You can talk to any of my close friends, and they’ll tell you that my first reaction wasn’t anger or alarm. It was relief. Relief for two reasons: 1) The axe finally fell and I didn’t have to worry about it any more, and 2) It finally gave me the kick in my Maison Martin Margolis trousers I needed to actually follow my dream of moving to New York City.

Although Jeffrey and NYC have never really been strangers… Jeffrey and NYC have never really been close friends either. For the past 10 years I have tried to visit that filthy whore as often as possible. Sometimes it was 2ce a year, sometimes never, and sometimes only 1ce a year. But regardless of how often or how long, my desire to live there has never waivered. I felt it when I first set foot there all those years ago, and I felt it last week when I was leaving… New York is the center of the world. It is the heartbeat of our civilization. It is the electric playground that never sleeps.

Thanks to a New Yorker friend of mine, I had a few very interesting meetings with some very impressive NY agencies last week. I won’t go into detail about the discussions I had, but I will tell you that I am in the midst of my own crossroads. And I am sorry to disappoint again, but this crossroads, also does not star Ms. BS, but rather it poses a question: To stay or to go?... Do I stay here close to my friends and family and ignore my desire? Do I run as fast as I can into the concrete jungle and leave behind my condo, healthcare, quality of living, and almost everyone I know? And while each has their pros and cons, only one has an empire state of mind.

Fall 2009

2009-09-04T15:30:00.004-04:00

Both Alexander McQueen and Paul Smith have given us strong, masculine, sexy clothes this fall. While both feel a bit historic, McQueen takes us back to the “Jack The Ripper” era with his styling. An although there is nothing funny about murdering hookers, there sure seems to be something sexy about it. (Too soon?)

I’ve clearly said enough so I’ll let the clothes speak for themselves…

Alexander McQueen F/W 2009

Paul Smith F/W 2009

Covet.

2009-09-04T15:21:00.003-04:00

Coats

L-R: Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein.

Trousers

Gaultier

Boots

L-R: Moschino, Alexander McQueen, Moschino.

Blackula.

2009-09-03T16:44:00.007-04:00

After reviewing the collections for this fall, I have to come to the conclusion that the trend hunters must of had one hell of a PowerPoint presentation last year… It seems they have almost 100% compliance from many designers. From the Gothic Ninja trend (see: Labelhorror May 28th) to the annual Military trend (See: Labelhorror July 31st) to the studded everything trend, the houses have latched onto the trends and incorporated them in to their collections whole heartedly.

Maybe it’s a sign of the times… And maybe during a tough economic climate it's best to create things that are guaranteed to sell… After all, the trend hunters are paid to forecast what will be hot in a year and a half. And maybe, just maybe they know what they're talking about. Although I have to admit, I find the whole Trend Hunter thing a bit of a mystery. The best I can explain it, is like this: The trend hunters hunt high & low in the trendiest cities around the world to see what all the cool kids are wearing, they relay this to the designers, who then translate it as they see fit into their collections… The funny thing is, the designer fashions are then knocked off by the cheaper retailers and once again consumed by the cool kids in the trendiest cities in the world… You see it’s like the Caucus Race in Alice In Wonderland; A bunch of people running around and around a tiny rock, and you can’t tell who’s in the lead or in the back.... (Also see: Chicken Vs Egg)

The trend that was most adhered to is not a theme or subculture at all, but a colour… Or rather a shade: BLACK. I know black is hardly anything new, but the abundance seen on the catwalks for this season is beyond previous record. But don’t count our heroes out just yet, with the lack of colour comes a wealth of texture, using layers, technical fabrics, and in some cases a fuller silhouette to keep things new. Take a look at Costume National, Dior Homme, Givenchy, Rick Owens, Z Zenga, Duckie Brown, Salvatore Ferragamo to name a few. Even Etro was heavy on the black, which is not only surprising, but shocking considering the label is usually a hodgepodge of maroon, paisley, and lime green.

Gothic Ninja

Studs

Black

The other colour trend for men this year is MERLOT. (Thanks C.Frye for that tidbit back in April.)

Pins & Broaches

2009-07-31T15:45:00.008-04:00

Its hard to find accessories that men can wear aside from the watch, and cufflinks that dont give the wearer the title of douche bag. Think wallet chain, or pashmina. Which for the record are O V E R.

Now when I first thought of men & broaches I immediatly thought of those large bugs encrusted in jewels, and thought the only way anyone could pull them off was in drag. And since this ferosh site is called Horror and not whore we wont go there.

I was plesently suprised to find a bunch of sexy, masculine, and subtle options that would look great on a blazer lapel, or a vest, or a coat, and maybe even on a tee shirt.

They also help incorporate the fall gothic trend. Boo-yah!

Yes Sir!

2009-07-31T15:33:00.004-04:00

The military shape always has been a fashion driven trend for the colder months; but for Fall Winter 09-10, designers such as Gareth Pugh, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Burberry have modified and transformed the combat uniform from the past to the now. Gareth Pugh, with one of the most unusual menswear collections for A/W 09-10 has brought inspiration from the likes of German officer overcoats from the Second World War to the metal chain mail suits that were worn under suits of armor.

looks by Gareth Pugh, D&G, Burberry Prorsum, and John Galliano

Movies can also be seen as a heavy influence in Pugh's A/W collection with feathers for shoulder decoration as inspiration from The Crow including the Gothic ripped trousers and black boots and the metallic body combat suit, a similar cut to Christian Bale's costume in Equilibrium. D&G have used the patterned Musketeer jacket detailing that was later used on band uniforms and other military jackets. No doubt the high street will be quick to follow in their footsteps with this popular design. Burberry have opted for the more settled approach to the trend with tailored coats inspiring from French naval officers and a two tone pea coat that is linked again to the Second World War.

And of course John Galliano has expanded the old swash-buckling clothing that the pirates and old Captains would have worn on the ships of the deepest seas. He included the old white wigs and fold-over leather boots to really help support the history that he is repeating on the catwalk.

I had to share this.

2009-07-23T15:58:00.002-04:00

over it.

2009-07-16T15:11:00.001-04:00

Jumping.

Trend Alert

2009-07-15T15:30:00.002-04:00

From Paris Designers Look East

Men’s fashion with a Middle Eastern inflection, from left:

Issey Miyake, Rick Owens, Versace, Givenchy, John Galliano and Dior Homme.

A Laissez Faire Adventure

2009-07-10T13:54:00.014-04:00

I don’t know about you all, but I am ripe with boredom this time every year. And although I live for the weather, I’m dying of thirst. My mouth is dry, my throat feels like glass, and the barren arid air is merciless.

Like the rest of the free world, it feels as if the fashion landscape is on holiday. A long extended leave. And being that I cannot live without the fashion escapades of a few selected elite, I am forced to invent my own scenario, and I can see it now…

~ D O N N A T E L L A ~

~ K A R L ~

~ K A T E ~

~ A Laissez Faire Adventure ~

Once upon a fashion time...

St. Tropez
High noon
+ 43 centigrade

Donatella on a teak lounger, on the bow of her yacht anchored just off shore, is in a 2 piece lime green Versace original, lathered in oil with her folding mirror open to full bloom and held tight up under her tiny chin. Beside her, a sun kissed male model is holding a parasol over Karl, who has finally found his long misplaced fan, and is frantically fanning his face in an effort to thwart the beads of sweat that are persistently trying to jump the cusp of his hair line, and streak down his geisha white face. The whole undertaking is futile, but he plays this game everyday, and Donatella is tired of trying to persuade him to unbutton his top collar… Shes tried everyday these past 3 weeks and the only thing she ever gets in return is a sideways glance and few lazy swear words in French.

With eyes closed, Donatella searches her side table with her jewel encrusted fingers until she comes across a tiny bell. She pinches the handle between her thumb and index finger and rings it twice with pinky outstretched. Immediately after, there is a loud thump, a crash, and some wrestling below deck. Moments later in enormous blackout sunglasses and her head wrapped in a gold silk scarf, the lipstick smeared Kate ascends from below deck with a bottle of champagne in one hand and a handful of flutes in the other. She mutters what sounds like an apology… something to do with the deck hand being unavailable, a tiny accident, and he’ll be right up after a quick shower.

Kate fills the glasses and passes one to Donatella who quickly notices a tiny speck of dust under her nostril. She nudges Karl, who then looks at Kate and mutters a few lazy swearwords in French. He takes his champagne and swallows its entire contents in one gulp. He stretches out his black tuxedo jacketed arm and shakes his empty flute to signal another glass. Kate on the other hand has already turned and is walking to portside. She is standing in 4 inch gold stilettos and leaning over the side ever so slightly. And just then a brisk wind reaches the yacht, and her sheer leopard print Cavalli kaftan billows open and reveals her gold lamé bikini underneath.

The sudden breeze is like a miracle for Karl, and he closes his eyes for a moment in sweet relief. And just as he is about to crack his first smile in 3 days, he is snapped back to reality by 2 loud clacks coming from Kate’s gold stiletto hitting the deck. In unison Donatella and Karl both look down and peer out the top of their sunglasses in Kate’s direction. They follow her eyes and see what they’ve been dreading since the moment they dropped anchor all those weeks ago. Like a silent ghost ship, only a stones throw away, the Prada sailboat passes, the motors cut, the wind quietly pushing the vessel along. Standing in the center is Miuccia. The tension is thick and although everyone is aware of it, only Donatella & Miuccia know why. Seconds later it’s all over as the boat has passed, and everyone goes back to doing what they were… Donatella frying, Karl boiling, and Kate sifting.

This goes on uninterrupted for an hour or so as our icons sip glass after glass of champagne in the hot southern France sun. The heat exacerbates the alcohol and everyone is feeling fabulous. Even Karl has managed to relax. His tuxedo jacket is off, his black pants are rolled up, and his ruffle blouse has the top 3 buttons undone. Most of it was Kate’s idea, and it wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t grabbed the parasol and made the model do it. Donatella was in awe as she watched Karl fidget and giggle as Tony grabbed at him, wrestled off his jacket and released his buttons with a snap of his fingers. She was dumbfounded that she hadn’t though of this weeks ago.

Poor little Tony hadn’t really wanted to undress Karl but what choice did he have??? Kate had made him do it. If he refused then Karl might have taken offence. And then he would have blown his chances and his career would never take off. But poor little Tony had no idea, that although he thoroughly enjoyed the experience, he had also made Karl lose his composure, and both Kate and Donatella knew that his modeling career was over before it even began.

Just as our tiny cast is about to really get the party started the champagne runs dry. Donatella rings her tiny bell again to summon the deck hand who’s been missing since Kate asked him to show her where the powder room was, prior to her first attempt at ringing the bell. 5 minutes pass and still no sign of Juan. Annoyed she slides off the teak lounger, grabs Kate’s long discarded kaftan, throws it over her shoulders and walks on her tip toes to the galley stairs and steps down. Moments later there is a loud shrill. Then a thwack. Then Juan comes running from below deck naked and holding his cheek. He runs across the deck and just before he jumps off the side he turns to Kate and says “Puta!” This is followed by 3 seconds of silence, then a splash in the ocean.

Donatella surfaces muttering filthy words in Italian to Kate… Turns out that the first time the tiny bell was rung, Kate was straddling Juan and pouring ice wine into his mouth, and upon hearing the chime he jumped up, knocking the bottle out of her hand and as it fell towards him the ice wine poured into his eyes. He turned on his side knocking Kate onto the floor. Feeling bad for the Spaniard, she told him she’d take care of the champagne and gave him time to wash up. The shower proved great for removing sticky wine from his skin, but his eyes were still blurry and stinging when Donatella came down wearing Kate’s caftan. He thought she looked a little off, but he also mistook Donatella’s long blond ponytail for Kate’s gold scarf and decided to go for a second round. He removed his speedo, came up behind her, and slid his arms around her front. Finding 2 huge melons where two perky handfuls used to be. Just then, breathing heavily, Donatella turned her face to meet his lips and whispers. “Ohhhhh Vuan, I have vaited sooooo looooong vor you…” Juan, shocked, pulled his hands back and shuddered. Donatella quickly realized the situation and in an act of salvation, screamed, closed the robe, turned, and smacked him across the face. Juan standing there stunned was told to jump ship. Maybe it was the way she said it, or maybe it was his machismo, but he took the direction literally and decided to leave with the dignity he had left rather then lose it trying to find his discarded speedo.

Donatella needing to restore her pride, flips the top of the large ring on her middle finger, digs in with her pinky nail and shoves it up her nose with a loud snort, gives her head a little shake and turns to walk back up to the deck. As she surfaces, she turns to Kate and mutters filthy words in Italian. Kate still stunned from her lovers quick escape, glares at Donatella and notices a speck of dust under her nostril. She looks at Karl, who then looks at Donatella and mutters a few lazy swearwords in French…

To Be Continued… Maybe.

The Man Clutch

2009-07-10T13:28:00.004-04:00

Although it is perhaps best reserved for the Qwen and femme boys. My main concern with The Man Clutch isnt the queer factor, but rather what the hell are we supposed to keep in it? From what I gather the original clutch, used by women out on the town, is used to hold lipstick, concealer, press powder, a tampon or 3, and perhaps some keys....

I might keep some of the same things, but not all... **wink wink, nudge nudge**

~ Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2010 ~

2009-06-04T14:23:00.002-04:00

Cool campaign: Puma L.I.F.T

The ads showcase the lightweight Puma L.I.F.T shoes that weigh only 173 gram.

Concept: Models wear the Puma shoes with underwear only and light-inject the rest of the outfit and background over their bodies and into the room.

The ads were photographed by Nadav Kander for the Droga5 agency.

Cool Editorials And Campaigns

2009-05-29T15:07:00.005-04:00

Italian ELLE

!En guard!

Fall Forecast 2009 : Gothic Ninja

2009-05-28T15:05:00.006-04:00

Marilyn Manson

Bruce Lee
Im going to suck your blood

Hiiiiiiiii-ya!

Fall

Winter

2009

One of the biggest yet somehow underground driven trends emerging from Japan in the last couple of years has been the Goth Ninja; and it's growing as a fashon trend in 2009. They've moved away from most big Paris/Milano designers and reverted to smaller designers from Tokyo. The figure hugging, black clad youths are perhaps the biggest consumers of the lesser celebrated designers.

On the streets.

Take a look at the fall collections from Rick Owen, Ann Demeulmeester, or Gareth Pugh. Gareth seems to be the one spearheading the movement this coming F/W season. With China and Japan finally being recognized as huge world markets the trends are now being picked up by more main stream labels. Most notably Givenchy (see ad’s below), and followed by Dior Homme, Comme Des Garcons, Number (N)ine. Even Prada and Burberry are picking up key elements and integrating them into their collections.

Givenchy F/W 2009

S E X

2009-05-28T12:39:00.006-04:00

Now that I have your attention…

Working in the biz as I do, I know how difficult it can be to come up with fresh and interesting idea for a photo shoot…. It’s all been done before… To some degree.

We all know that the sky is blue, Lady Gaga is an artistic genius, and sex sells.

So the question becomes: How do we take an idea (sex) and reinvent it to keep it fresh??

Well you know how hairdressers have crazy messed up hair? And Gina’s who work in tanning salons are always some gross shade of ochre? Well the same thing happens to advertisers... When you’re imbedded into something you eventually need to push the envelope to stay interested.

The trouble starts when the repercussions are no longer as harmless as blue dreadlocks, but rather porn on billboards…

At what point does art become pornography? …I have heard a few arguments recently that say: Art is pornography and pornography is art...

Let’s take a look shall we:

Art: Someone’s inner self expression for the world to see and for sale.
Pornography: Someone’s inner eroticisms for the world to see and for sale.

Hummmmm… You decide.

Shoes anyone?...

Jeans??

Cologne??

Perhaps the best example of where we are in terms of sex advertising is that the hottest photographer in the biz right now is Terry Richardson. Known for his snap shot type photography and always racy images.

No.

2009-05-28T11:49:00.003-04:00

Premium innerwear maker 2xist is the first established brand to support an unexpected trend in the underwear market: shapewear for men.

Hitting brick-and-mortar and online stores in August,...

Covet

2009-05-21T16:04:00.004-04:00

Audi R8

Price: $140,000 - $150,000

Engine: 4.2-litre V8

Power/torque: 420 hp/318 lb.-ft.

Fuel consumption: N/A.

Competition: Porsche 911 Carrera 4, Aston Martin V8, Mercedes SL 500/600, BMW M6

Tick tock tick clock thick tock

2009-05-21T15:09:00.004-04:00

One of the constant struggles being a man in a woman’s world is the lack of options we have. Women have dresses, and blouses, and heels, and skirts, and an ENDLESS assortment of accessories. They have the power to completely change up a top/bottom combination… It’s not that I think men should start wearing these things. (Although truth be told, I’m not completely against it either.) I just wish we had more choices.

Accessories for men are far and few between. And with anything rare there is a premium put on it. I’m talking about the Men’s Watch. A watch on a man is as important as a 3.5 karat princess cut canary yellow diamond ring is to a woman. It’s the “I’ve made it”, and the “Eat your fucking heart out” she can scream without saying a word.

With this kind of pressure on the men’s watch it has gone from timepiece to a status symbol. Think Chopard, Rolex, Patek Philippe, Paiget, Cartier, …Etcetera. These names are synonymous with luxury watches. And almost always give the impression of gold and diamond encrusted flash. But with the wave of bling culture finally dissipating, it’s good to see a return to a more classic approach. These watchmakers have also in recent years even branched out into sport watches, cuff watches, and the very recent toy watches. (See white Chanel watch 4th image below)

Here is a editorial I came across that showcases 2 of man’s favorite things.

Putting lipstick on a pig...

2009-04-30T15:22:00.013-04:00

With the world bracing for the Swine Flu, It’s imperative that we all band together and prepare ourselves for the worst…. What’s the worst that could happen? What’s the worst thing in the world? What drives the most fear into the hearts of humans???? I’ll tell you what it is… It's the fear of the unknown.

It’s this fear that has caused the biggest tragedies of our race. It’s caused slavery, the oppression of women, the genocide in Rwanda, the Holocaust. It built the Great Wall of China, and erected the Berlin Wall. It’s this very same fear that over turned Prop 8 and revoked the rights of thousands, and killed the spirit of millions.

It’s this fear…. This unknown… This big "WHAT IF" that compels me to write this…

WHAT IF WE ALL HAVE TO WEAR THOSE UGLY SURGICAL MASKS?... THEN WHAT? ? ?

How the hell am I gonna find someone who would even want to marry me with a god damn coffee filter stuck to my face??? Oh yeah... Tres chic.

Just like the other tragedies we have faced, this one has no simple answer: Don’t wear and die. Or wear and die… Alone. It’s a catch 22 of epic proportions…

There is however a tiny sparkle of light, an oasis in the dessert, a scrap of land as we float though the vast ocean of the unknown. The F.S.M. The Fashionable Surgical Mask. Well none of them are ideal, or even ½ as splendid as the bottom half of my face they are better than nothing, and they are sure as hell better then the powder blue masks of yore.

I’d like to say that it’s like putting lipstick on a pig, but I’m stopping myself… It’s just too soon?

I actually like these.

More bondage then Piggy Pandemic... Don't you think?

Thank you DSquared & S.A.R.S.

Work bitch.

The top right and middle left are HILARIOUS.

This is creepy.

And there are fashion options for skids as well.

Justify My Love

2009-04-20T12:24:00.015-04:00

One of my FAVORITE photographs in the world is by famous fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier. The shoot was for Madonna’s controversial single Justify My Love.

When this song/video/hell storm was released in November 1990 I was at the tender age of 12, and I remember thinking how badass I thought she was. This was around the same time my fellow classmates started to notice that I was a little different from them. This was the year I came to school in light blue cut off denim shorts that I had made polka dot with a black bingo dabber, a red braided belt, and a white baggy T-shirt with the red GUESS jeans emblem emblazed across the front… I don’t know why I thought they needed to guess anything, seeing as I was clearly giving away all my secrets with the polka dot daisy dukes. And while they didn’t guess, they sure did judge. This was the day Jeff Gray turned into Jeff Gay… The cunning manipulation of linguistics required to pull off such a layered word jumble must have taken them forever to figure out.

Upon returning home, feeling like a perverted leper who did not deserve the oxygen he was using, I walked in the door, went to my room, and turned on my radio to 680am CFTR as I always did, but this time however I added uncontrollable sobbing to the ritual.

After feeling rightfully sorry for myself for god knows how long, I remember the spastic afternoon DJ saying/screaming that Madonna’s hot new single would be played after the break, and the video that no one has seen yet, but was already banned on MTV, would be aired later tonight on 2much4much…

After the longest commercial break ever, I heard the intro and was hooked…

Here I was feeling like shit because 30 children were being mean to me, and here was this chick who was broadcasting to the world all sorts of deplorable stuff, and not only did she not run home and cry, she made a video that was the ultimate FUCK YOU to the world. And so began my love affair…

Later that night I stayed up and watched. I thought the video was beautiful, artistic, and filthy. I was captivated. At the end of the video there is a caption which is still one of my favorites:

Poor is the man,

Whose pleasures depend,

On the permission of another.

Her whole ‘Screw You World’ was perfectly timed with my coming of age… Every time I felt like crap I could pop in a cassette, or turn on Much Music or the radio and with out fail she would have done one thing or another. From a documentary filled with flaming homos, to masterbating on stage, to kissing women, to hitch hiking naked on the side of a highway, or underwear as outerwear... The list goes on... And I knew that even though I had a small team, together we were pretty badass. And no matter who I choose to be with, I'll never have to Justify My Love.

Below is the set of contacts from that very shoot, along with some other famous works by Patrick Demarchelier, and last but not least, a shirt I would kill for.

The Contacts

Famous Shots

Covet

Happy Socks

2009-04-17T15:04:00.001-04:00

What: Happy Socks
How much: $10 at Barneys, Opening Ceremony and at happysocks.com
Who: Bifen Xu, T Magazine’s men’s fashion associate

Happy Socks are Sweden’s latest contribution to the fashion world. They come in tons of styles and colors (all resolutely upbeat), and they are guaranteed to brighten up a dark suit or make rolled-up jeans more interesting. In angst-ridden times like these, a little flash of color can go a long way.

Mankini

2009-04-16T13:58:00.008-04:00

Banana Hammock
Budgie Smuggler
Package Pouch
Speedo…

Whatever you choose to call it is fine, because after all, it’s not the name that makes these things interesting is it?

Some people seem to think that they are taboo, tacky, crude, and only worn by greasy euro trash at the public swimming pool. And granted if I was at the Y with my youngins and in strolled Mr. Inappropriate in a sausage sling I’d have issues with it too. But at the end of the day like everything; certain things work better on certain people.

With that being said and with summer not too far away, I have been thinking about swimwear and all its dynamic facets. What looks best while sunning on a dock or the beach, what looks best as I’m walking away, and toward people, where is the perfect balance between cute, playful, respectable, and a touch of total slut. I have found a few that I like which seem to strike the perfect balance. Some (read most) tend to lean a little further in one direction then the other. But hey, I’m meeting with my personal trainer tonight, so perhaps these will be the perfect ‘carrot’ to dangle in front of my face to get me to my goal. The itsy bitsy teeny weeny mankini.

Okay some are just totally slutty, but hey can you blame me for sharing???

Hedi Slimane For Vogue Homme Japan

2009-04-13T13:48:00.007-04:00

Few names have as much fashion weight behind them as Hedi Slimane. With a resume and fellowships that span: Gucci Group, Yves Saint Laurent, YSL Rive Gauche Homme, Prada Group, Jil Sander, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Finally his namesake line, Hedi Slimane deserves our respect.

Although he has the world’s largest retailers under his belt it should not be concluded that he is in any way a sellout to his visions. In July 2007, Hedi Slimane decided to quit the House of Dior. In order to convince him to stay, LVMH proposed him to finance his own signature line. Negotiations lasted for 6.5 months. Slimane called them off in February. He made a statement on his website to explain his choice. Slimane did not want to lose his creative freedom, sell his name, and lose the management of his own brand.

Aside from Creative Director and Fashion Designer, he is also a Photographer. I have to admit that I adore the idea of creative people using several mediums to create thier art. With that being said, below is his latest photo essay / editorial from the current issue of Vogue Homme Japan. The photographs depict American culture, consumerism, youth, and beauty. Or that’s what I get out of it at least. And a few words that come to mind while flipping through it are: trite, ambitious, indulgent, forward, patriotic, nonsensical, sexual, contortion, romantic, dark, post-modern, and let’s throw in "a touch whimsy" for good measure…

You be the judge:

MEN a la MODE

2009-04-07T14:48:00.005-04:00

Beautiful men with impeccable style:

Channing Tatum

Gratuitous:
Main Entry: gra·tu·itous
Pronunciation: \grə-ˈtü-ə-təs, -ˈtyü-\
Function: adjective

Shades OF Gray

2009-04-02T13:22:00.004-04:00

As some of you may or may not know, I am also a contributing columnist for Christine Brant's Get Me A Really Big Closet.

Click the above Shades Of Gray header for a direct link to my column, or the link below to Miss Brant's site.

http://getmeareallybigcloset.blogspot.com/

Check it out yo!

Another Man Magazine

2009-03-31T11:55:00.003-04:00

Another Man Magazine is issued semi annualy from Another Magazine. I like this editorial a lot. Thought I'd share. Bon appetit.

George Platt Lynes 1907-1955

2009-03-26T15:17:00.011-04:00

~ Self Portraits ~

In his heyday Lynes was the go to photographer for all of the major publications and artistic personalities in the 30’s & 40’s. The influence of his statuesque portraits of women and mostly men can still be seen by contemporary artists of today. From Bruce Weber to Herb Ritts you can see a strong resemblance to Lynes work some 60 years later.

George Platt Lynes was born in New Jersey, but was sent to school in Paris where he first began to appreciate the arts. His life was changed by the circle of friends he met there and was influenced even more over the years as his circle of friends grew.

Upon returning home, he moved to New York and opened a book store. He began taking photographs of his friends as a side hobby so he could put their pictures up in his store. This of course snowballed into a love of photography. He decided to return back to France, and with his friends travelled throughout Europe with his camera in hand.

His close group of friends included Gertrude Stein, Glenway Wescott, Monroe Wheeler, Jean Cocteau, as well as art dealer and critic Julien Levy. Upon his return to New York and under the guidance of Julien Levy, George Platt Lynes had his first gallery showing in 1932. Soon after he was shooting covers & editorials for Harpers Bazaar, Town & country, and Vogue. He also was beaconed by such Hollywood royalty as Katherine Hepburn, Orson Welles, and Gloria Swanson.

While a success artistically he was a financial failure. This combined with his disinterest in commercial work, meant he was never able to regain the successes he once had and was replaced with other up and coming photographers such as Richard Avedon, Edgar de Evia, and Irving Penn.

After his commercial career ended he started exploring male nude/homoerotic photography. He made a habbit of shooting his lovers, and for more than a decade maintained a triangular love affair with the curator Monroe Wheeler and the writer Glenway Wescott. He later got cozy with his studio assistant and, after he died in World War II, moved in with the assistant’s younger brother. Although he didn't stictly shoot male nudes it was the vast majority of his work. He continued this for the rest of his career.

In 1955 he was terminally diagnosed with lung cancer. He closed his studio, and destroyed much of his prints and their negatives. After a final trip to Europe he returned home to New York where he passed away at the age of 48. Tragic.

Below is a selection of his surviving work.

(This photograph is a self portrait with his assistant.)

(The below photograph is of one of his lovers Jose, and is one of his most recognizable works.)

William Rast

2009-03-25T11:24:00.005-04:00

Justin Timberlake’s pet project, William Rast is not as bad as one might expect. Actually to be fair, I pretty much expected what I see here. Although I must admit that I was expecting something a little more Sean John, and little less Diesel. But the surprise is welcomed none the less.

I struggle with myself on celebrity pet projects like I do with factory pumped pop music. This all started when I found myself loving a song on the radio, only to discover later that the song I loved so much was none other than Kelly Clarkson from the factory of all factories, American Idol. I felt like a novice who was lured by the Siren into her manufactured, prepackaged, commercial cellophane cave.

After deep meditation on the matter and contemplating suicide, I had an epiphany. It was like freeing myself from a cold, thick forest of thorny rose bushes and sharp, brown pine needles into a sunny clearing of tall grass, swaying in a warm breeze. A humming bird gently rests on my shoulder while a fuzzy grey bunny with big blue eyes leads me to a well where the answers to all life’s questions can be answered.

I leaned over the well and as I asked the most important question of my life, a single, warm tear cascaded from my eye and fell into the well, causing a gentle rippling on the surface. In the distorted reflection at the bottom of the dark well I saw the truth of truths...

If I like the song, who the hell cares how it was made?

And this approach is one I find helpful when faced with PPP's (Pop Pet Projects). If you like it, then like it. I get annoyed with people who refuse to like anything if the general public does. Something is either good or not at its time of creation. If 2 months down the road it's on a best-seller list, or is the #1 digital download, or is sweeping the box office… how does that change your opinion of it?

I find these people, in their constant quest to be cool, are actually the biggest posers of all. Without even giving something a chance it is scoffed at. How could it be any good? After all, only 10 million people seem to be enjoying it!

Once again, my rant has taken me far from my starting point.

Below is Justin Timberlake’s PPP. You decide.

MEN a la MODE

2009-03-24T10:16:00.005-04:00

Beautiful men with impeccable style:

Pharrell Williams

Cool Editorials & Campaigns

2009-03-23T10:36:00.008-04:00

~ WATER ~

V Man

L to R

Suit, shirt, tie Richard Chai Shoes D&G

Suit, shirt, tie, shoes Calvin Klein Collection

Suit, shirt, tie, shoes Louis Vuitton

L to R

Suit, shirt, tie Dolce & Gabbana Shoes Alexander McQueen

Suit, shirt, tie, shoes Gucci

Suit and shirt Dries van Noten Tie Polo by Ralph Lauren Shoes D&G

L to R

Shirt, jacket, pants Alexander McQueen

Suit and shirt Ralph Lauren Shoes D&G

Suit and shoes Calvin Klein Collection

~ Marc Jacobs ~

Shot by Terry Richardson

All Louis Vuitton

~ Sisley Campaign Spring 09 ~

Shot by Terry Richardson

Age ain’t nothin’ but a number.

2009-03-23T09:56:00.003-04:00

Who: Arlo Weiner
What: Worlds Youngest Fashionista
When: The tender age of 8
Where: L.A.
How: Family blood
Why: Better yet, why not?

The son of TV’s Mad Men stylist Matt Weiner, this third grade fashion prodigy has the blood of mode aristocrats that have been absent from menswear since Savile Row’s heyday.

Although he may have the added bonus of his father’s profession to help him dress the part, we need to remember that he is only 8 years old, and like any other talent in this world. You either have it or you don’t.

The following article is from Style.com:

Arlo Weiner has been creating his own style since the age of three—when he asked his parents for a top hat. Soon he’d moved on to striped bow ties, crushed velvet jackets, madras pants, and ascots (yeah, he knows what an ascot is).
In the past five years, Arlo—named after singer Arlo Guthrie, whom he listens to along with Black Sabbath and Bob Dylan—has become one of the sharpest, most original dressers this side of second grade. (Arlo on Dad’s show: “That’s where I’ve gotten a lot of my inspiration.”) His look is part Oliver Twist, part Royal Tenenbaums—eclectic and kidlike, but somehow knowingly so. (His favorite item right now: a fez. “I like to flick the string,” he says.) Even in L.A., a city where half the populace dresses to be noticed, Arlo stands out. A favorite story in the Weiner family is the time perma-cool rocker Beck followed Arlo down the street, so taken was he by the kid’s head-to-toe plaid.
Arlo, who plans to start designing his own clothes as soon as his mom gets a sewing machine, likes to mix and match bright colors and patterns. In fact, he’s up for trying just about anything—except sneakers and jeans. “They’re really not my thing,” he confesses.

1) "This is my Valentine’s Day outfit. The jacket and the pants are velvet. I love the tie because it’s really two ties stacked on top of each other. (My dad had to tie it for me.) The pink tie matched the pink shirt. I wore brown-and-white argyle socks for a random pattern."

2) "My mom got the jacket for me—I love it because I love Frank Sinatra and this is like something he would wear. I wore the jacket with the pants because I like the different plaids together. I thought the blue in the necklace brought out the blue in the pants. It’s a blue orb with fire around it."

3) "I have a lot of black outfits these days, so I needed the red ascot to add some color. I love red and black together—they each make the other stand out. I’ve worn this to school about 12 times."

4) "I was going to play miniature golf with my brother Charlie. You can see how much I like to mix patterns. I love argyle—I was wearing argyle socks, too. The red ascot brings out the red in the pants. The only thing I was unsure of was whether the shirt would be weird with the rest of the outfit, but I wore it anyway because it was too hot to wear long sleeves. The hat used to be my dad’s."

5) "We were going to Getty Village and then having breakfast on the beach. I wanted to wear black and white. Most of my ties, like this one, are clip-ons."

6) "The hat is like a Frank Sinatra hat. I wore the jacket with the tie because green and gray are my favorite blend. I’m holding my dad’s bag in the picture, but at school I use my dad’s old brown leather satchel."

7)”I love this red jacket. I wore the black shirt underneath because I really like red and black together. I got the jacket and pants in New York—we did a lot of shopping in New York.”

8) "I thought the sunglasses would go well with the pants because they’re both gold. The tie on my neck—that used to be the belt for my bathrobe, but I shortened it and turned it into that. I put the tie with the jacket because I liked the patterns together. My grandma gave me the cane. I thought it looked good with the pants."

9) "I like to put random patterns together, so I picked out the green checkerboard tie with the gray checked jacket and then I wore the red vest underneath, because red stands out and brings the colors together."

10) "This is my favorite outfit. The tie is a regular tie, but I tied it like that because I’ve seen it done that way in old English movies. Even though the tie and the jacket are different colors, they’re both striped, so I thought they looked right together. And I wore the vest and pants together because they’re both shades of red."

Age ain’t nothin’ but a number.

Issue 13

2009-03-17T11:04:00.006-04:00

March 5th was the day I expected it. March 7th was the day I started searching for it. March 15th was the day I finally found it… There is something wrong with this world when something so necessary is this hard to find. Not only is it silly that I can hardly get a hold of one, but the fact that there is only one like it in all of men’s wear.

I’m talking about V Man magazine.

V Man magazine is a quarterly publication that is, for me, the epitome of men’s fashion. It does not snooze me into a season with its hot item: The Loafer. I’ll leave that to Esquire, or GQ and its closeted twin brother Details. These publications are mirror images of each other. Details is nothing more then GQ with a lisp. Forgive me but I thought the may-jah point of a fashion magazine was to bring you the latest in trend, not: (hold on let me grab a Details…)

Strike 1 - Front cover: “Actor/Dude” Keanu Reeves.
Strike 2 – Page 9: 8 page editorial from The Gap.
Strike 3 – Page 37: Gourmet Chicken Wing recipe.

Really?.... REALLY???

In a barren landscape where wearing black with blue is pushing the envelope, V Man is my salvation. Time and time again we’ve heard fashion is self expression. It’s how we as humans are able to project who we are to the rest of the world. This is completely true… Unless of course, you are a man. In this case then your options are to; blend in, or fade into the background, please don’t ruffle any feathers, and for God’s sake try to keep it simple. And if you are ever unsure then chances are you shouldn’t…

Well I say fuck that! And apparently V Man agrees with me. The spring 2009 cover promises Fearless Men’s Fashion & Spring Is Looking Bright. How refreshing! The cover has 2 versions, and both feature (get this) models on the cover. One in head to toe fuchsia Givenchy and the other in head to toe salmon Calvin Klein Collection. As well as 106 pages of editorial. Editorial that not only shows models in clothes, but exciting clothes from the current season. This trial blazing publication even goes so far as to use art in its glossy pages. From animated accessories, and paying homage to 1950’s Beefcake, to pop art references, and a new take on the pin-up girl.

Now I’m not saying that if it’s printed between V Man covers that it’s fact. I’m saying that at least it gives me something new to chew on. V Man is a rebel magazine where being a man means taking chances, being brave, trying new things, not following the crowd, making a statement, and above all being yourself. Weather it’s a Dolce & Gabbana bikini & Cowboy boots combo (Pg. 108), or a football player in Rock & Republic jeans (Pg. 121)… You shouldn’t feel intimidated by clothes or feel the need to play it safe. You should be excited about them; what they can do for you, and what you can do with them. At the end of the day, who cares if your belt doesn’t match your shoes? At least today you were a man.

Yes! Today you were a man....

(pause for effect)... A V MAN!

Stewart Lucas Vs. Diana Vreeland

2009-03-10T13:32:00.018-04:00

Diana Vreeland (born Diana Dalziel on July 29, 1903 in Paris, France – August 22, 1989) was a noted columnist and editor in the field of fashion.

Vreeland is the eldest daughter of American socialite mother Emily Key Hoffman and British father Frederick Young Dalziel. Hoffman was a descendant of George Washington's brother as well as a cousin of Francis Scott Key. She also was a distant cousin of Pauline de Rothschild.

Resume
Harper's Bazaar: Columnist 1936 – 1961
Vogue: Editor-in-Chief 1963 – 1971
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Costume Curator 1971 – death

Artist Stewart Lucas has created several pieces of irreverent artwork featuring the iconic fashionatrix, with several different off the cuff quotes… Some verbatim, some sort of verbatim.

*** If in NY you can see the complete collection of Mme Vreeland witticisms @ the DV Display Gallery in the Fashion District.

"Some actual quotes"
- I loathe narcissism, but I approve of vanity.

- What do I think about the way most people dress? Most people are not something one thinks about.

- Elegance is innate. It has nothing to do with being well dressed. Elegance is refusal.

- Too much good taste can be boring.

Worth a Mention:
She discovered Edie Sedgwick during her tenure at Vogue.

Michael Bastian : S/S 2009

2009-03-09T16:09:00.012-04:00

There are a few collections that capture my projected aesthetic this well. (Projected Aesthetic: The style one likes to think they’re seen as.) In this case it’s the relaxed casual / formal / beachy / cocktail party / Sunday afternoon / boardroom meeting in the Hamptons look.

Simple I know. But it’s also the reason I like to wear tuxedo pants with a V neck tees, or dress shoes & jeans, or dress pants & sneakers for that matter. It’s not always a mix but I definitely find myself attracted to that idea when I get dressed in the morning.

I am just starting to learn about Michael Bastian and the more I see the more I like. He’s got it down to a science without being boring or too predictable.

Tim Blanks said it best: "Bastian's latest American archetype. He had in mind Sam Elliott and Parker Stevenson from a 1976 movie called The Lifeguard (male hotties from the seventies being something of a specialty).”

And although I don’t know who Sam Elliot or Parker Stevenson is, and I haven’t seen the 1976 movie The Lifeguard, I do understand male hotties no matter what decade they are referenced from… And there is something to be said for a guy who looks relaxed, put together, huggable, and confident at the same time and these clothes achieve all of this without looking like the dreaded “Im Trying” monster.

Worth a mention:

Michael Bastian is also the Creative Director at Bill Blass.

Spring 2009 Trend 2.0

2009-03-03T11:54:00.006-05:00

Pajama Chic

Dolce & Gabbana

Emporio Armani

Roberto Cavalli

Bottega Veneta

Gingham

Bottega Veneta

Dsquared2

Junya Wantanabe

Moschino

Gradient

Alexander McQueen

Etro

Givenchy

Miharaya Suhiro

Raf Simons

M Y C O V E T L I S T

2009-02-25T16:08:00.004-05:00

Kris Van Assche: Fanny Pack

DSquared2: Khaki Suit

Alexander McQueen: Crew Neck Shirt

Diesel Black Gold: Acid Washed Jeans

Gucci: Red Jeans

Versace: V Neck Sweater w/Printed Detail

Louis Vuitton: Kanye West Ltd Edition Sneaker

UBER UBER UBER COVET

Lanvin: Sneaker

Where’s the band wagon? I’m jumping on…

2009-02-23T15:49:00.011-05:00

2009 Oscars Best & Worst Dressed Men

Like every other media outlet I am doing an Oscar 2009 best and worst dressed compilation. But unlike the rest of the free world I am doing it for the men, and not the women.

I have to point out that because, there is far less choice for the men, it is the details that make or break a tuxedo. When Bjork wears a dead swan to the Oscars (or anywhere for that matter) its not hard to come to a worst dressed conclusion… But what about when Philip Seymour Hoffman and Sean Penn both show up in black on black on black tuxedos and the result is so drastically different, how do you know what right or wrong with them?

Lights! Camera! Fashion Access!

BEST DRESSED:

Sean Penn in Armani

Black on black on black on perfect. (The tan doesn’t hurt either)

Zack Efron in Dolce & Gabbana

How zexy is that bow tie? The wide V of the lapels gives him a broad shoulder, and the tux fits perfect. Long live the stylist!

Mickey Rourke in Gaultier

A + for taking a chance. Not the prettiest lady at the ball but by far the most original… I guess this is as close to Bjork circa 2001 we’ll ever get. For the record I do like the swan dress, it’s just the wrong place for it… More of a Sunday afternoon queen street ensemble. Don’t you think?

Daniel Craig in Tom Ford

Delish. Perfect fit, great sheen, looks great without looking like effort.

COMME CI COMME CA:

Ryan Seacrest in Burberry

Busiest man in Hollywood had no time to meet with his stylist? SA-NOOZE.

Robert Pattinson in ?

Zack’s replacement used his old rent-a-tux connection from Liverpool?

Brad Pitt in Tom Ford

BOOO… Bow tie is too small, black buttons look cheap, and the sleeves are too long. The only reason he’s not on the worst list is because he’s Brad Pitt and its Tom Ford.

WORST DRESSED:

Philip Seymour Hoffman in ?

Why is he dressed like a frumpy pompous ass??? Oh right… Hey Philly, take 30 seconds away from sculpting your craft, and catch a clue. The only thing that works about this is your almost 100% covered. Thanks for that, it’s a start.

John Legend in Prada

Not terribly bad, but then again there is only one Philip Seymour Hoffman. I like the fact that his tux isn’t black, but the tie clip and pocket square are fighting with each other, and he just looks too casual.

Robert Downey Jr. in?

Hey Junior, while you were out, the 80’s called and they wanted to remind you there’s a late fee still outstanding on your tux.

Seth Rogen in ?

Velvet? Really? Your going to see Hugh Jackman, not Hugh Hefner.

And finally our host Mr. Hugh Jackman... A+++

Gawr-juhs!

Colour Me Bad

2009-02-20T14:21:00.009-05:00

No thanks to those stupid fucking groundhogs; Spring is enroute! And with Spring comes colour.

And although it is still winter in New York a source close to me, tells me that colour is already hitting the streets in the form of raisin coloured pantaloons… And although I have yet to see them, I have a feeling I will be okay with them…

In recent shopping excursions I have seen an abundance of hyper coloured jeans on the final sale racks, and although it may seem obvious to avoid them (seeing as everyone else clearly has), I wanted nothing more then to buy a couple of pairs. The following Monday I discussed them with my friend, coworker, and author of getmeareallybigcloset.blogspot.com/, Christine and she told me to snatch dem up cuz theyz hot yo!!! Ok she didn’t say exactly that, but you get the picture….

I remember back in grade school in the 1990’s while pumping the latest hits from TLC, Kriss Kross, and Color Me Badd, all of my friends had jeans in the very same colours I’m seeing on sale now. I BEGGED my mother for a pair but she would never budge. You see; I was white and a lot of my friends were black, and my parents didn’t want me being one of those kids that “acted like they were black” (whatever that means)…

Little did they know I’d grow up to be a limp wristed, cracker white, strong black woman, but alas I digress.

Well mom and dad no longer have a say as I’m now a grown up who buys all his own clothes, and after hearing about the fashion chances my friend in Manhattan is taking I think I will be purchasing a pair or 2. You see my friend who shall remain nameless is the Men’s Fashion Director for Bloomingdales and always looks pretty well put together. We’ve have periodical fashion talks and were usually on the same page. So I trust.

It’s not without saying that any colour is the right colour, like all things fashion related it’s up to the buyer to decide what works best for them. I am always for taking a chance and trying something new, or new again.

Here are a few simple rules to follow if you decide to take a chance and try something bold:

> Own the look.
> Wear it like you mean it.
> It’s not what you wear; it’s how you wear it.
> You have to wear the garment and not let the garment wear you.

And if these don’t make sense to you, then stick to polo’s and cargo pants, your not wanted here.

G’s & Gents I give you...

COLOR ME BAD SPRING / SUMMER 2009

GUCCI

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO

CALVIN KLEIN

DOLCE & GABBANA

EMPORIO ARMANI

GIORGIO ARMANI

GIVENCHY

JIL SANDER

VERSACE

Savile Row

2009-02-17T13:18:00.010-05:00

Plenty of times while watching FT, or Fashion File, or In Design, or Men’s Fashion Insider, or The Shopping Channel; I hear the words “Savile Row”. And although I’ve been able to figure out that it has something to do with menswear, and more specifically men’s suiting, I wanted to know more… This is my thirst for knowledge in all things fashion related at work.

So with some research and some Google images I bring you the basics, so you can do more then just grin and nod at your next menswear discussion panel.

Savile Row is a street in Mayfair, London. And with most English things there is some pomp and circumstance to go along with it… Built between 1731 and 1735 as part of the Burlington Estate, for the Earl of Burlington and named after his wife Lady Dorothy Savile…

Now famous for its men’s bespoke tailoring, it started off as a residential street for military officers and their families, and around 1803 saw its first tailor shops opening when the gentleman of the area started dressing in more formal attire. None of the original tailors are there, but the street is still the epitome of men’s tailoring... On this planet anyway.

Now while watching the aforementioned television programming it is often heard that a collection has a strong Savile Row aesthetic and attention to bespoke tailoring. And although the collections have not actually been designed by a Savile Row tailor, it just means that the garments incorporate traditional men’s tailoring.

Bespoke tailoring is where the pomp comes in. The finest and most luxurious fabrics were reserved for the richest men of high society. The term originated on Savile Row, and comes from the collision of 2 words: BE and SPOKEN. As in; the materials are reserved for certain clients or “be spoken for”.

Currently there are few big label designers who carter specifically to men’s suiting, and even fewer that incorporate the Savile Row/Bespoke details.

A few that you should know are:

Hermes

Thom Brown

Tom Ford

Super Fun Facts!
- You probably can’t afford a bespoke suit from Savile Row from any of its 25 tailors.

- In Japanese the word for suit is “sebiro” a corruption of Savile Row.
- The Savile Row Association is trying to stop large retail chains, specifically Armani from opening franchises on the street as they are trying to protect the art of their craft.
- Currently Abercrombie & Fitch and Lanvin have flagship stores in the neighborhood.

Famous Patrons & Tenants:
The Beatles
Winston Churchill
Prince Charles
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Napoleon III

MEN a la MODE

2009-02-12T14:52:00.003-05:00

Beautiful men with impeccable style:

James Franco

Gratuitous:

Main Entry: gra·tu·itous

Pronunciation: \grə-ˈtü-ə-təs, -ˈtyü-\

Function: adjective

Your welcome.

Blame it on Rio

2009-02-11T09:44:00.009-05:00

Regardless of the recent Madonna Loves Jesus headlines, there is something to be said for heavenly collaborations…

W MAGAZINE: BLAME IT ON RIO

Starring …………………………………………….. Madonna
Co-starring ………………………………………… Jesus Luz
Director …………………………………………. Steven Klein
Wardrobe ……………………………………. Arianne Phillips

(This is only a taste of the 46 page editorial)

50 years old. Work bitch.

Developments:

2009-02-10T14:08:00.013-05:00

Strapping Footwear:
Ø - Miharayasuhiro
Ø - Givenchy
Ø - John Paul Gaultier

Floods & Roll Cuffs:
Ø - Fendi
Ø - Michael Kors
Ø - Miharayasuhiro

The Blues… As per usual:
Ø Iceberg
Ø Michael Bastian
Ø Michael Kors
Ø Z Zenga
Ø Roberto Cavalli
Ø Calvin Klein
Ø Versace
Ø Jil Sander
Ø Dolce & Gabbana

Leggings:
Ø Givenchy
Ø Maison Martin Margiela

Flesh Tones:
Ø Givenchy
Ø Maison Martin Margiela
Ø Miharayasuhiro

Kris Van Assche

2009-02-09T14:29:00.022-05:00

~ Kris Van Assche ~

Spring Summer 2009

Kris Van Assche’s namesake men’s collection for this season is an exercise in easy dressing for men. If we were forced to wear clothes from one label, we would be safe choosing KVA, and rest assured we’d look great the entire time. 2 key words: Safe & Great

Safe because there are no over-the-top implications here. And although the clothes have interesting twists we're not overhauling the idea of men’s clothes. Just well dressed men that look impeccable.

Great because although everything is wearable there are still enough new ideas to keep you fresh in the boardroom and at the gallery opening. Hi gloss and iridescent suits, loose fitting trousers and shorts, everything drawstring, and with minimal hits of a murky blue, and even less hits of what I’m calling, "a multi coloured digital paint pattern". If you can think of a better description, then by all means…

P.S. I love the fanny pack.

MEN a la MODE

2009-02-05T16:09:00.017-05:00

Beautiful men with impeccable style:

Christian Bale

Gratuitous:
Main Entry: gra·tu·itous
Pronunciation: \grə-ˈtü-ə-təs, -ˈtyü-\
Function: adjective

Boutique-A-Knockoff

2009-02-05T11:40:00.010-05:00

As it stands now I am 100% against knock off’s. It’s not that I care about the luxury LVMH Group’s 4th quarter fiscal losses. I care because of one simple reason: Elitism.

I want to know that when I spend my money on a label that it will be painfully obvious to everyone else that I am better than them. But when I stroll down Chinatown and see every other 16 year old in head to toe Louis Vuitton LV’s and Gucci G’s it cheapens me. When the market is flooded, the value goes down. How badly would you want a Mercedes-Benz SLR if they were $40.00 and sold out of the back of a noodle stand???

With that being said, there comes a time when the lies cannot go any further. The jig is up, and the cat needs to come out of the bag. Or rather, the label is falling off the garment.

Many, MANY, MANY years ago when I bought my first piece of designer clothing, I was working at my father’s Subway Sandwich restaurant, I made just over $10/h and spent most of my earnings at Woody’s. I was freshly 19 and had just gotten my first car. I bought a red & taupe D&G sweater from a store called XXXY on Yonge Street that used to be across from the Eaton Centre.

The purchase screwed up my entire paycheck and I was late on my car payment, but no matter how much I knew that it was a stupid purchase and I should have taken it back, I just couldn’t. I loved how it made me feel. So much so, that I wore it all the time. Now I don’t know about you, but it’s damn hard to make a red & taupe sweater look fresh and new everyday… And it wasn’t long before one of my bitchier friends (Pierce) started calling me out on it, and I knew I had to do something… So with a little imagination and slightly more thread, that label started moving from garment to garment. I’d sew it on a toque, a jacket, a shirt and walk with my big fake head held high.

It wasn’t long before I became the joke in my tiny bitchy group (Dita, Konrad, Chris, and Pierce) and I was ‘knocked off’ a few pegs on the ladder of fierceness. It was then that I realized that, just like my fake label, my esteem was fake, and I started to wonder why I needed to buy something to make me feel better about myself. Well, chalk it up to being human but when we have something that is coveted by other people we feel better about ourselves. That’s just the way it is.

At the end of the traumatic and life changing ordeal, I learned a very valuable lesson: Learn to sew better… No, I’m kidding. I learned that just like real labels, you have to be real with yourself. You can’t pretend to be better than everyone else. You have to actually spend the money to be better.

PS, FYI, & BTW: This is a picture of me being better than you ;-)

BoyTech

2009-02-04T15:00:00.013-05:00

STOP THE PRESSES!!!! HEAR THIS!!! … Sex Sells!

In this world of subliminal sex advertising and the bombardment of sexual imagery from all facets of media, it is refreshing to see something that is not trying to hide it. With the exception of pornography, and the occasional Madonna Sex Book, we are hard pressed to find anyone who is actually admitting that they are blatantly using sex as a marketing tool.

All too often it’s a slip of the robe during an Annie Leibovitz shoot ala Miley Cyrus, or one of our favorite pap tarts forgetting her panties when exiting her limo in a hooker high skirt. But here, right out in front and for your listening and visual pleasure comes BoyTech.

BoyTech consists of Jack Wild & Chris Wind (Real names: Zion Forrest Lee & Randall Roland Savoy) and if you believe their MySpace page, they are a pair of expelled Ivy League Rowers from Yale… Apparently the Head Coach @ Yale had the boys medals stripped on the accusation of steroid abuse… The boys then kidnapped the coach, beat him to a pulp, went to juvie and like all reformed criminals, found homoerotic electro punk.

Their stage show consists of them lifting gold weights in gold lamme hot pants, rubbing their bodies down, spraying the audience with water, bicep curls (again with gold dumbbells), and last but not least dancing and singing.

So far I have only heard of a few engagements. Most notably a runway show during Toronto Fashion Week. The songs are definitely catchy and fun, and with anything that has to do with sex: I’m sold. Although you may want to take this entire column with a grain of salt as you are talking to someone who believes 100% that Madonna’s Sex Book is a work of art.

And for any of you creepies who care to know more about BoyTech they can often be seen running or rowing along Toronto's waterfront. According to MySpace:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=221769953

For your pleasure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtwQWIY1FC4