Fashionablity vs. Commercialism

Mihara Yasuhiro spring 2010

After reading 'The Death of Fashion Criticism" on The Imagist as well as Dirk Standen's post "What Was the Best Show for Spring 2010?" on Style.com, my mind is full of different thoughts and ideas that I'll need time to compartimenatlize to make any sense!

1. The Powerful influence of Commercialism certainly dictates a designer's collection, (for those who don't have a financial backer with deep pockets) creating safe and wearable clothing in the era of finacial crisis only makes sense, but why should I pay designer prices for the latest white button up shirt when I already have various styles hanging in my closet? Is designing a safe collection risking a designer's integrity for marketability? Yes they need to put food on the table at the end of the day, but are sales really gauranteed from today's savvy consumers?

2. Progressive designers that challenge traditional men's wear. I love designers like Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy, Rad Hounari, Mihara Yasuhiro, Rick Owens, Raf Simons and Damir Doma, because they continue to offer (in their respective aestheics) a new direction in men's wear, that mainly appeal to fashion forward males who don't want to look like Ralph Lauren clones. Though some fashion critics may argue that these designers rehash the same ideas each season, I say that these men are our beacons of hope in transforming the male aesthic and promote individuality a notion that commercial fashion and media erases.

3. Stylists are the new fashion gate keepers. As Wayne mentioned in his post on The Imagist, uber stylist like Katie Grand are the new arbiters of fashion, instead of a rave review from Suzy Menkes. But again only those in the fashion world pay attention to fashion editorials in European glossies, I've yet to see a creative shoot in INStyle..... and yes you won't read a review by a top critic in a mainstream mag as well!

I know at the end of the day it's just clothes that we need to cover bodies, but we may as well create a fantasy, have fun and express ourselves with these items!

Baby it's hot outside! What's a boy to do?

Hyden Yoo at OAK NYC

As the summer temperature rises so does my hemlines! I love my legs and have no problem baring them in a cut off with an inseam as short as three inches! I do get harassed by my prudish peers and raised eye brows by those who's legs never see nor feel sunlight!

BUT for those who claim to be in fashion and have what it takes to reveal some leg, you'd be happy to know that mid thighs are heating up the pages of fashion magazines and the racks of your favourite shops.

Raf Simons

s2s Navy b-boy shorts at OAK NYC

Sole Mates: Ferragamo and Yamamoto

I never thought I'd see this one coming, but I love it when two opposing fashion forces collide because the results are always amazing. This fall the avant-garde Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto teamed up with the classic Italian design house Salvatore Ferragamo to create Salvatore Ferragamo for Yohji Yamamoto -- a collection of fashion forward footwear.
Yamamoto's directional designs is exactly what the Ferragamo house needs to continue loosening up its conservative image. Salvatore Ferragamo for Yohji Yamamoto struts its collection this fall at Holt Renfrew.

Leather Queen: Natalia Brilli

Natalia Brilli is to leather as Hershey is to chocolate! The Parisian based artist/designer covers and creates everything out of leather--and I mean everything! Her skin coated designs for men and women come in the forms of wearable pieces like an ID bracelet, or a Rolex watch aka "Nolex" to objet d'art such as a skeleton rock band. Check out her site nataliabrilli.fr to see her collections, but better yet to own a Brilli original vist one of these shops! Gravity Pope (Edmonton, Vancouver) Reborn (Montreal) or Insight (Hannover, Germany).

ps. I'm loving my leather link bracelt!

Reading Matrerial: Like I Give a Frock by Michi

I've been searching for the perfect gift for a finicky fashion friend who makes shopping for Queen Elizabeth a breeze! But I think I found the golden egg for this fussy Fashionista! "Like I Give a Frock, Fashion forecasts and Meaningless Misguidance,' by Michi the woman behind the online source michigirl.com... Her writing style and fashion advice will cut you like a waist band on a pair of skin tight jeans!
Here is an excerpt on jumpsuits:

Eyes Up

You can say what you like about fashion-- it's frivolous, indulgent, fun-- but it can also be downright evil. Take the jumpsuit, for instance. Is the distance from shoulders to possum standard across all women?
I think not. One girl's comfort zone is another's camel toe. So when faced with a friend in a changing room asking if the jumpsuit is splitting a most valuable asset apart, keep your eyes up, take a deep breath, and blame the designer!

Wrap me up with Rick Owens...

A friend of mine presented me with this image of a Rick Owens poncho a few months ago, and it is now a DAILY obbession!! Unfortunately this wrap is not available in Canada, but can always be purchased if I let my fingers do the walking to the RO store in New York! Perhaps it will be a birthday gift to myself.... BUT I also love this stole that can also do the job of the said stylish cover up!

Style Star: Joseph Altuzarra

Altuzarra with long time friend and muse Coline Choay in his s/s 09 design.

On a recent trip to Toronto for a fall preview hosted by Holt Renfrew, I got to meet one of it's new designers, Joseph Altuzarra. This budding young designer has an impressive CV starting with interning at Marc Jacobs, then freelancing at Proenza Schouler, then HAND PICKED by Riccardo Tisci to work as a design assistant for Givenchy in 2006! During his time at Givenchy Altuzarra decided to move back to New York to launch his own collection for spring 2008.

This fall season get ready for his sexy and intellegent 80's inpired seperates and body-conscious dresses. If I could I would frolic in this fur fringed jacket for fall!

I'm back

Time flies when one has blogger's block!! I've been busy with life and its changes and have neglected to keep you in the know with what's been turning me on --stylishly speaking...

So I promise dear readers to be that fresh, flirty and fashionable guy about town!

xxL

note the Acne gladiators and dhoti pants by Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair!

Law of Attraction

The closest I think I'll ever get to owning an original by Miami based architect and designer Luis Pons is his Uno Rebix Cube! A few years ago Pons ventured into jewelery design with Magnetik Distractions, a piece based on a simple ball chain and a magnetized bearing, that can be worn in multiple ways from a necklace to a ring. To add more style cred to his attractive invention, Pons created a magnetized ring and a "Rebix cube" (play off of the original Rubik's cube) in silver or gold. With a 200 cm thin chain and some ingenuity you'll have tons of styling options to accessorize your summer look. I love the cube version and can't stop tinkering around with my designs! The magnet is very strong, but do not wear if you plan on dancing or running! Images of my own designs to follow... You can get these electro-charged links at Charles & Marie, and Leo Boutique.

Fashion Flogger: Carl Abad of WORTH

Carl Abad, owner of Worth and stylist at large, continues to provide progressive pieces from brands such as Conference of Birds, Greyhound, and Generra, to work into our wardrobes and perfect our styles.

Carl would best describe WORTH as: Original with an individual point of view, with an East coast feel. We strive to create an environment where our clients can explore and experiment with our well edited collections to adapt to their personal styles.

Sexiest thing he's done fully dressed: A photo shoot I styled for a German fashion magazine years ago. It was two boxers in fighting positions and I wrapped their hands and groins in gauze, minimal and simple, but holy crap sexy! To me styling is always sexy..

My Dandy Day

This just in... I'm featured in FINE AND DANDY , an on-line  haberdashery that specialises in well all things only a modern day gentleman will appreciate, such as pocket squares, cuff links and bow ties.  The other fab feature of the Fine and Dandy site is that you can get all this great stuff on line!
The site is created by two great friends of mine who live in New York City, and share their love of fine men's wear fashions and the history of being dapper.
You can check out  My profile and one of my dandy looks for a spread I did in Avenue magazine ... oh ya being one of Calgary's best dressed.... A fine and dandy day indeed!



image from Dandyism.net

Shaggy Chic

A few days ago I was musing about Fall 09's love affair with long hair, as in fur coats. A studious Stylista pal of mine immediately sent me this image of Katie Grand, the "it" stylist in the biz as well as the editrix of LOVE, sporting Dolce and Gabbana's Fall 09 fierce fuchsia fur! We love her! And we can't wait to monkey around this fall in glamazon lux!

On the Loose!

Rick Owens



The dhoti -- a loose drop crotch pant that is common in India as blue jeans are in Indiana-- is back on our fashion radar. Forget the voluminous variety from the days of MC Hammer or International Male, this season's dhoitis have street cred cool enough for boys of the west end and downtown divas.

Hot Pants!

Duckie Brown

Givenchy

Short pants are cropping up this season, so if you have legs like Casper or too shy to bare your skin, fear not Spring 09's key trend is to layer with leggings. Ya that's right, the style we see running around on jogging paths and world class athletes are taking off on the runways!
I think I'm going to give this look the old "college try" and recently bought some leggings and found the perfect wide legged shorts to sport this season!
Self Portraits to come!

Jump Jump Jump into It!

Miharayasuhiro

Salvatore Feragamo

I just recently bought a jumpsuit! It's a flight suit from Crown Surplus that I've altered to look like my divine Feragamo inspiration! There is something to be said about the jumpsuit. It's perfect for those "I don't know what to wear," days, or when I'm running late and can still leave the house looking flawless. Not since the disco days of Donna Summer has the jumpsuit sizzled for women and men, that is until now...
I'll be debuting this chic uniform very soon!

Hey Long Hair!

Gucci

Fendi

Dolce and Gabbana

Burberry Prorsum

A friend of mine introduced me to his love of monkey fur, well at least a distant love affair, he doesn't own anything in the over the top long locks. But for Fall 09, things are going to get hairy amongst fur loving Stylistas as almost every collection went to great lengths in presenting a variety of pretty pelts. Glamazon looks from Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci and Burberry Prorsum call out to our wild side, but this prickly business will certainly make Pam Anderson and fellow PETAisatas' hair curl!

Tie it Out

Neil Barrett

Paul Smith

Givenchy

My obsession with scarves continues this Spring with inspiration from Givenchy, Paul Smith and Neil Barrett. I'm gaga over Givenchy's grommets, and have been desperately scouring the web to see where I can buy this work of neck art. Paul's colourful striped spectacular will soon be mine, and I'm always sparked by Barrett's sophistcated styling.

LGFW: Irina Lazareanu and Joe Fresh

Super model Irina Lazareanu, who struts her stuff for Chanel and Dior, opened the Joe Fresh Fall 09 collection at LGFW. Yes that's right high fashion met high street in Nathan Phillips Square, which Joe Mimran, the man behind Joe Fresh, created yet another memorable show for inexpensive clothing that is only available at the Real Canadian Superstore, or Loblaws.
Next season we budget conscious Stylistas can look forward to cozy up in Nordic print sweaters and leggings, progressive puffy coats and cowl neck scarves.

All photos by James Kachan

LGFW: Evan Biddell

Evan Biddell rocked the Toronto fashion crowd with his ode to Wonder Women fall 09 collection -- think iconic heroins like Grace Jones. This collection is Biddel's fourth and thus far strongest showing. The styling with a nod to the 80's was on point with colours in acid yellow, purple, magenta and turquoise. Loved the fierce "box tops" on the models and their "don't mess with me," swagger down the catwalk. Must have item from this collection is the oversized knit scarf!
Photos by Tyler Anderson/National Post

Travis Taddeo Spring 09

Raised in Calgary, but styled in Montreal, Travis Taddeo is the next "it boy" on the fashion block. His men's and women's collections are sexy and certainly makes a statement on the dance-floor. His clothes are made for those who prefer to be noticed in a crowd, than hiding in a corner.
I'm loving his Spring 09 looks and his hooded one-piece is perfect to run around town this season!

Batty over Odyn Vovk

This amazing "Bat Shaket" cardigan by Odyn Vovk stirs my love of long lean looks in black. Los Angeles-based designer Austin Sherbanenko creates a directional collection offering a fresh alternative in men's wear. Heavy on the goth aesthetic in presentation, but you needn't be one to appreiciate his amazing cuts and innovation.
Check out the collection at Forward by Revolve or Roden Gray.

Spring Fever!

I'm feeling fashionably frisky and can't wait to shed my winter woolies for some sexy summer skin revealing ensembles! First on my list are a pair of gladiator sandals by ACNE... paired with tapered pants, wide legged shorts or even thigh grazing hot pants!
Men go bold are stay indoors this season and wait till winter if you're too prudish to bare some flesh!
For happy feet check out ACNE, OAK or Gravity Pope!

Fresh Pickings

If you love the fashionable and oh so affordable Joe Fresh collections at The Real Canadian Superstore, then you’re going to blush over its cosmetics collection! Before Joe Fresh Beauty hit the shelves this month, I got to preview this impressive collection and passed a few lip and cheek stains on to my gal pals. They were blown away by the brilliancy of their freshly berry-coated lips and claimed that the quality is comparable to some of their brand name favourites.
Like the clothing, Joe Fresh Beauty offers affordable quality, which translates to a full makeup range all under $10. Yes we Recessionistas are tickled pink!
So get ready for your close up with a comprehensive range of face, lip and eye products in seasonal colour pallets that will complement almost all skin tones.

I have a feeling that grocery shopping will no longer feel like a chore...

Crazy Lady Chic: A league of their own

Their music video heroines may be slightly neurotic, suffering hypertension, or simply strange, but one thing I love about Róisin Murphy and Lykke Li’s musical alter egos, is that they are obsessed with looking flawless. These stylish divas embrace the fantasy of fashion, and the various personas that clothing can stir up. Both Murphy and Li’s distinct musical style reflects their approach to being an original. Even when singing in a taxi cab or busking their style stands on its own which puts these leading ladies in the leagues of their predecessors Annie Lennox and Grace Jones.