This collection has been such a strong and seminal one, that I feel that any man . . . → Read more]]> It’s been months since this collection was first uncovered, but I still haven’t got it off my mind. Ricardo Tisci’s latest take on the modern man’s approach to clothing has left a lasting impact on me.

This collection has been such a strong and seminal one, that I feel that any man stumped on fashion ideas could just look to this collection for inspiration. I for one, am taking a leaf from the Givenchy house’s book this year, and I am not waiting until the fall/winter months to do so.

Boyish, playful, charming. Crew neck sweaters and baseball jackets over pleated shorts and worn with boots, either knee high or hightops with tights. As tangential as some elements may be (sheer tights or the rottweiler prints), Ricardo Tisci blends them together in a way that not only works but lends the wearer an unspoken cool.

photo credits/full collection: gq.com

But being 21st century global citizens armed with cheap airfares, this means that traveling to temperate countries are never completely ruled out. In the same . . . → Read more]]> I do realise that I live in a tropical country, what with the current heatwave to remind me that we are practically smack in the middle of equator.

But being 21st century global citizens armed with cheap airfares, this means that traveling to temperate countries are never completely ruled out. In the same vein so does the need for a jacket to travel along with. As plans are underway for me to be traveling somewhere this autumn, I thought it would be apt for me to get a jacket. But choosing a suitable design is of the essence, as such travels are few and far between. And so it seemed wiser to get a jacket that was less ‘of the moment’ and more of a timeless design to prolong its wearability. Something I can imagine myself wearing 10 years from today yet not look outdated.

Woolrich Woolen Mills Spring 2011 (credit: GQ)

Few things options came up when I was thinking of potential looks that would remain timeless and trendless. One of them was Woolrich Woolen Mills Spring 2011’s compact yet solid collection of vintage outdoor wear (see full collection here). The other was Junya Watanabe Man’s utilitarian work jackets and parka’s (see here). Finally it was a very current nautical/washed out British coastal look (reference here)

Below are the jackets that struck a chord with me in terms of design and price.

Junya Watanabe Man x Le Laboureur Wax Jacket

Possibly the most affordable jacket with Junya’s design footprints on it. Apparently the medium and large sizes were sold out from GoodHood on the same day of release. (photo credit & link)

Commes des Garcons Shirt Jersey Duffel Coat

I was extremely attracted to this coat ( I have a thing for hoodies) when I saw the excellent fit on the model on TresBienShop’s site. Price was still within my means, and jersey material made it a suitable candidate for my choice of long lasting good quality timeless jacket.

(photo from Coggles via Selectism)

Bumped into this online shop while I was on the lookout for a lightweight jacket that I could use for my overseas trip some time later in the year. They have a good selection of stuff – deceptively simple yet well-constructed premium menswear, and more importantly they ship worldwide and provide 20% VAT deduction . . . → Read more]]>

Bumped into this online shop while I was on the lookout for a lightweight jacket that I could use for my overseas trip some time later in the year. They have a good selection of stuff – deceptively simple yet well-constructed premium menswear, and more importantly they ship worldwide and provide 20% VAT deduction for non EU shoppers. Above are the ‘table top’ items which I feel encapsulates what will be worn by the discerning guys as the warmer months arrive in the northern hemisphere. While I would by every item on that table top if I could (except the polka dot jeans – I am too old for that) my favourites are the Junya Watanabe MAN gingham anorak and the Quoddy chukka boots which look buttery soft and deliciously comfy.

[more info on each item at their website here]

While browsing I also came across this PAM shirt which seems simple in design, yet I still love the slightly ‘choirboy’ effect it lends to the wearer.

Or have I been watching Kate and William’s wedding ceremony re-runs one too many times?

[link]

Kick Ass. As un-fashion as that may sound. This season and every season that preceded it. I just love his collections, but I don’t know why.

Could it be that the eastern touch that he brings to menswear is so authentic and brings into context the real Eastern man, and not one of mere tokenism or exoticism?

Could . . . → Read more]]>

Kick Ass. As un-fashion as that may sound. This season and every season that preceded it. I just love his collections, but I don’t know why.

Could it be that the eastern touch that he brings to menswear is so authentic and brings into context the real Eastern man, and not one of mere tokenism or exoticism?

Could it be that his designs offer high wearability to the everyday stylish man, and that in itself already helps define a good designer?

How deceivingly common menswear have become desired pieces thanks to updated tailoring and perfect choices of fabrics?

Is it his slightly twisted but highly inspired yet modern takes of the different categories of men he considers as an embodiment of style? Or simply put, how he makes you want to be a an Cuban this season, an investment banker the next, a retired rocker in another?

Words can only do so much. His designs will do the talking. For a full view of his work, his eponymous website contains sufficient photos for you to fall in love with his designs. The ones you see are my favourites from his latest collection that goes by the theme, ‘Investment Bankers’. (photo credit: style.com)

Not just a few days ago, GQ awarded its annual Best New Menswear Designer title to New York based designer Alexander Wang. I have heard his name pop up in the media quite often, but never had a chance to check out his designs. On a slightly unrelated note, is it just me . . . → Read more]]>

Alexander Wang himself

Not just a few days ago, GQ awarded its annual Best New Menswear Designer title to New York based designer Alexander Wang. I have heard his name pop up in the media quite often, but never had a chance to check out his designs. On a slightly unrelated note, is it just me or has there been an increasing presence of fashion designers of Asian ethnicity in the fashion week circuit? Anyhoo, I checked out his previous collections on his website and needless to say they were all great. I just love the intelligence put into each of his designs, quite evident in his choice of materials and textures, details and layers. Besides, as I personally prefer designers with modern and less structured approach to clothes without a heavy hand on the luxury and opulence, his designs were much to my liking. With an undeniably strong AW 2011 showing at the fashion week a couple of days ago, you’d agree that this guy really is on a roll right now, justifying all the attention that being poured unto him at the moment.

(photo credits New York Magazine, click here for full show)

Still, it seems as though many were caught by surprise with his win as best menswear designer. If the pictures of the T by Alexander Wang’s menswear collection were anything to go by, I could understand their surprise. As much as the collections were directional, mostly well designed and contained some very desirable key pieces (e.g the jackets), it was nowhere as visceral and jaw-dropping as his womenswear shows.

T by Alexander Wang entry pieces at left.

And so, this is what GQ creative director Jim Moore had to say in his defense:

“He was doing T-shirts and hoodies, and when we approached him, he said, ‘Don’t you think it’s a little bit early on?’ I said no, I think you have the potential to be a great American menswear designer. It pushed him to expand his categories.”

Please don’t get me wrong, I love ‘T by Alexander Wang’ and its support for monochromatic drape-y casuals. Also love the fact that Alexander Wang’s philosophy on menswear is represented not only in his collection, but also on himself. I just hope that with the $50,000 prize money he could focus on presenting us with a menswear line on par with the rest of his work?

Now if only I could get hold of some items from its online store sale before the prices of his future collections balloon along with his increasing popularity.

A new trend that seems to be taking hold come the winter months is the inclusion of native and ethnic prints. Not sure how big this trend is in the western hemisphere, but judging from . . . → Read more]]>

White Mountaineering Geometric Embroidery Desert Boots, it's gonna be stuck in my head for a couple of days at least.

A new trend that seems to be taking hold come the winter months is the inclusion of native and ethnic prints. Not sure how big this trend is in the western hemisphere, but judging from the photos taken by GQ.com’s streetstyle photographer this influence seems to hit it big in Tokyo.

(Check out a very recent post of his Tokyo streetstyle findings. Photos were absolutely delicious. click here ) Of course, ethnic elements in Japanese streetstyle is not something new, but it seems as though the golden age is now.

One of the current labels embracing the tribal look is White Mountaineering. Checking out images of their catwalk from their website, it’s obvious that designer Yosuke Aizawa plays a deft hand at balancing fashion forwardness with the technical demands of outerwear.

Definitely one of the shops on my Tokyo to-do list. Below are my favourite looks off the runway. I had also planned to share pics of my favourite items but I noticed that I liked too many items from this collection that it would have made this an exceedingly lengthy post. All I can say are the knits, jackets, shorts, accessories and footwear are just unforgettable.  (credits white mountaineering via freshnessmag via fashionsnap/ slamxhype)

Singapore is pushing the envelope yet again in the fashion arena, by hosting the inaugural Singapore Men’s Fashion Week, which will also be the first of its kind in the region.

According to Vogue UK, nine labels have already confirmed their participation in the catwalk. Namedropping around the internet include Asian designer houses like Singapore’s very own . . . → Read more]]>

Singapore is pushing the envelope yet again in the fashion arena, by hosting the inaugural Singapore Men’s Fashion Week, which will also be the first of its kind in the region.

According to Vogue UK, nine labels have already confirmed their participation in the catwalk. Namedropping around the internet include Asian designer houses like Singapore’s very own Raoul, Shanghai Tang (HK), DressCamp (Japan), G.I.L Homme (Korea) and Issue (Thailand). The international powerhouses include Etro, Canali and Hugo Boss.

Celebrity headliners for this event are three face’s of men’s fashion in Asia: international model Philip Huang, MTV VJ Utt and Singaporean actor celebrity Julian Hee. To helm the creative reins of the show is catwalk producer Daniel Boey as creative director. The organisers have already roped in the help of celebrity hairstylist David Gan.

While I would be keen on seeing more labels from the fashion capitals on the catwalk, I would like to see a more Asian affair with names like Juun J or Yohji Yamamoto to celebrate the fact that it is Asia’s first fashion week dedicated to menswear.

Fingers crossed, I may cross the causeway and be part of this event. Schedules and tickets don’t seem to be out, all that is available are the Facebook and Twitter pages (how will the PR people survive without social networking) and the fact that it’s gonna be between March 30 and April 3.

Read more, more, more…

While this, by no means limits the usage of this word to describe only people of that country of origin, the picture below seems to suggest otherwise.

Even if, for argument’s sake, the woman in the said picture was not French, it cannot be denied that she exudes chic and French sensibilities at the same . . . → Read more]]> …originates from France.

While this, by no means limits the usage of this word to describe only people of that country of origin, the picture below seems to suggest otherwise.

Even if, for argument’s sake, the woman in the said picture was not French, it cannot be denied that she exudes chic and French sensibilities at the same time, ergo the intangible connection between the two.

Thus, in a bid to prevent people from carelessly describing every other girl dressed in the latest trends as ‘chic’, may this photo by the Sartorialist serve as a reminder to all on the proper usage of the word.

(via The Sartorialist- ‘On the Seine, Paris’)

This time with camera in ready position.

(via Sartorialist, . . . → Read more]]>

This time with camera in ready position.

(via Sartorialist, ‘London Now’)