Issey Miyake Menswear Spring 2014

Ah, okay, maybe I do like T by Alexander Wang and all designers that still stay simple for menswear this season, but I can’t say no to Issey Miyake. When I first saw the collection, I immediately thought about artists and how they dress for work. Simple t-shirts with a lot of colorful stains that somehow create quite an artistic patterns. I love it. It makes me feel more creative, well, maybe I am desperate to find inspiration source. I like the fact that Issey is doing something different to the classic plaid shirt, plaid shirt is like men’s little-black-dresses, but the difference is…there is only a handfull of designers who want to work with it (and that color blocking blazer looks promising as the-next-big-hit!). As the show went on, the artist feeling began to fade and replaced by uneasiness. Pink, granite black and strange abstract patterns came in not really cool ways. Maybe this is what Heidi Klum mean when she say: too costume-y, which is quite explainable in womenswear, but mens? Well, strange (or rare) case, mens are used to be under-dressed.

Tunic, shorts and pants come and go with reckless styling and rough attitude, I don’t know about you, but I feel like jumping from painter’s loft into an adventure in mountains with rebellious yet artsy travelers. Issey gives us one of the most colorful shows, some of the pieces are messy good, but some of them are just not my style (or anyone’s style).

I’ll give a lot of credits for his braveness in mixing colors, feel rebellious and fresh at the same time (it is hard to feel fresh in fashion, designers are easily ‘inspired’ by other designers). Even though, it becomes slightly annoying at one point on the show. I have to admit it is hard to balance the explosiveness of colors, they’re like bad kids and we are the parents, trying desperately (shouts, sweats and tears of shame involve)  to control their behaviors. Sometimes we’re good, other times….we are not. Now, the question is….what kind of parents are you guys?

Taken from Style

Smokey Lounge

What do you think about smokers? Nah, I am asking you guys, non-smokers. Maybe most of you will say that smoking is disgusting, who wants to put chemical poisons into their lungs? Morons. But a few of you probably think that those smokers do have bad times or good times and want to loose some nerves, no big deal. Just don’t forget to cover our mouths and noses (and eyes). I won’t try to create ‘asthma-patient’ dialogue. I can imagine it and it is not pretty or appropriate for the blog. O-la-la!

Anyway, I agree that smoking is bad, but I am cool with smokers when they do their ‘thing’ inside smoking zones. Yeah, those cubicles of glasses with no magazines and only wooden bench to sit on? Perfect. I can’t lie that smoking is not quite a fashion statement though. It is indeed one of popular fashion statements. Please, don’t frown. Fashion is an industry that’s quite easy to adapt and absorb a lot of things as inspirations, most of them are great (like butterflies, natures, animals), some of them are….well, not really cool (piercings, metals, S&M). Smoking is definitely the later. But it still looks somehow good! Kate Moss does it, Marc Jacobs does it (is he still smoking?), Bryan Boy is always looking for a pack of cigar, even though he is in Korea or wherever he is, every ‘it’ person does it (on air OR off air).

My defends are: smoking reminds me of that smoke machine effect which creates super dramatic outfits for editorial, and smoking is always intertwined with rock or punk (again!) style and I love rock-punk style, bad boy/girl thing is also kind of my thing. Smoking also quickly associated with masculinity, every good gentleman smokes once or twice in a while and, man…they do it right! Two fingers on the cigar, good tailored coat, sometimes a beanie to cover that smooth blonde hair, and a sharp eyes looking at the horizon, planning the massive future with you as ‘the one’. Please, same case with girls. Smoking is bad, but don’t judge it too harsh. As long as it is controlled and you realize that, at one point, you have to let the smokes go away…I think you will be fine.

What do you want to say? A little bit smoke effects or no-thank-you?

Taken from Le-21Eme

T by Alexander Wang Menswear Spring 2014

White, patterns, more exploration in colors, bold again an again. Those are what I’ve seen so far during menswear. I am not going to complain about the trends because I used to cheer designers to go explore the ‘other side’ of men’s style. So, no rain on your parade today. Phew! But I like to say that there is always one designer that play it different, even though not that different because the logic is: he stays the same while others play different. Uh, annoying logic. Okay, so the point is: T by Alexander Wang takes different approach with simple collection of black, sporty materials, simple (almost nothing special) items, and I instantly like the collection.

Starts with beige/creme-de-la-creme pieces, Wang continues the collection with white t-shirts and super cool shorts, after that masculine black comes in shapes of sport jackets and geometric-patterned sweaters before the collection ends…almost perfect. I think the reason I like the collection is not because the clothes are amazing, they’re cool but nothing worth to feel ‘OMG-this-is-insanely-great!!!!’ thing. I like it because it’s different than others. When other designers are fiercely chasing colors, Wang stays still and do the collection just like usual, staying true to his aesthetic and successfully blew me away. Sporty, a bit too simple, casual, and ignorant are men’s (and Wang’s) things, and I was too fired up in color-up-dude-trend that I forgot the ultimate point to make it into the menswear section. Shame on me. SHAME!!

Well, if you are a cool guy with great body who are looking for good clothes that don’t need too much special treatment, go to this guy, he knows you well. Promise. And, sorry Wang, I won’t join the fans lining up infront of your store because I will look like fat-panda inside your clothes (they look really soft and reveal the naked body’s silouhette of the wearer, which is great if you have abs. I don’t even have a flat-tummy). Bah! Let’s talk about Holiday-Weight later!

Taken from Style

STYLE Loves: Leica D-Luxe 6 x G-Star Raw

I love camera and honestly, I just love every single technology’s kids. They’re all amazing. When people are saving their moneys for college or new house, I am spending my money for cameras and phone accessories (and books) (and new expensive writing tools). I am afraid I will be the new ‘all-spend-no-save’ kind of guy, wait..what’s they are called in English?…Yeah I am starting to remember it…uh, compulsive buyers! But compulsive buyers buy all those stuffs and never use them (or use it once and then bye-bye). I, on the other hand, use them and torture them until they finally give up and die, after giving me a hell lot of good times. They’re all worth the penny I spend for and even more. Like my Macbook Air, without this chic, I wouldn’t even dare to start a blog. This laptop gives me soo much joy of typing until I want to write more and more and reach for the ‘gods of the bloggers’ level. Uh, maybe I play too much online games this holiday.

In short, technologies are worth the money. When people say they will be replaced by something new and you just waste your money for something that will definitely turns out to be a bad investment (probably true) (unless you are a collector)…well, maybe they can say the same thing about girlfriends and boyfriends. No offense.

And now, after you finally on the same line with my pint of view in tech-or-money, time to give the big gun a shout: new Leica D-Lux 6. Wait a minute, this is not just about the camera…because we are joined in the holy circle of fashion blogs, let’s put something more to honor the role….yes, Leica D-Lux 6 x G-Star Raw denim. Denim materials (that is my new favorite) combined with luxurious, super-pro camera? I have died and went to the fashion-tech-geek heaven. Let’s not talk about the money, but let’s drool over the camera first. Using the signature pattern of G-Star Raw, the Leica D-Luxe 6 looks quite solid and modern, small and perfect as accessories (any fashion-tech-geek will bow to you on the street) and will definitely kick some asses in street photography. Too bad I spend all my money for Canon behemoth (no, don’t get jealous! Don’t!!), I would love to trade the monster with this perfect piece of technology. Ugh, Santa…??

Taken from High Snobiety

Strawberry Overall

Every style has a weakness, just like every person has a dark-side deep inside their hearts (thanks Kelly Clarkson). It’s quite unrealistic to hope for a perfect, unique, edgy style which will make you look really great in every occasion. How about the classic little black dress? Boring. The pencil skirt + simple and chic blazer? Office. Gowns? Party only. Basic t-shirts? You will look too casual. Black on black? Someone is mourning somewhere wearing the same outfits. Sequins? Uh, wild girl alert!? The only thing we can do is try to cover the dark side a little bit. Just like in this picture, as you can see, she is wearing an overall.

Strawberry overall.

Let me explain the weakness of an overall. Even though it is great and has the same advantage (with sexier side) with jumpsuits (just put it on and you are already dressed up head-to-toe), but it also lack of cuteness and can look too ‘farmer’ style. Most people just ignore this fact and wear it on like nothing is bad. Boy, let’s just say they are lucky not to be caught up by fashion-farmer-style-police. But this girl does a little trick to prevent the ‘farmer’ punishment. It’s pretty easy actually,  if the denim and plain pattern aren’t working, just buy something brighter or bolder with cute patterns. A strawberry overall, in this case.

Not bad. In fact, she looks really cheerful and stylish and effortless. No-farmer-disaster. I like it, this style is pretty smart according to my standard (I have no idea what Vogue smart standard looks like). But just like what I said in the beginning: no style is perfect. Soon, other bloggers will eventually find out what’s wrong with this trick. We just have to be happy and always try different styles.

Taken from Street Peeper

STYLE Loves: Skateboarding Thing

I am not good at any sports and maybe never will because…I just hate sports. But I tell you a million times already and I will tell you one more time: I really like sporty style. In fact, I keep tons of basketball shorts and thinking about buying jersey shirts because they’re really soft and comfortable, even though I have to bear the embarrassment when people ask me wether Lakers win last night or not after looking at my shorts. What the hell Lakers is dude? I am kidding, I know what Lakers is, just checked it out on the net. Not only comfortable, sports is also a good style reference. Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant, Thakoon, every designer wants a little bit of sporty spirit and they do it great.

Except for one small detail…sport is an activity. It is not a noun, it’s a verb. In order to get a cool sporty style, you have to do sports first. Well, nothing too intense, maybe a short jogging around the Central Park or…skateboarding. Okay, maybe you are not that young anymore, but skateboarding is hot in fashion. Even Prada made a collection about skateboard once (I forget, but I am quite sure), Teen Vogue did it, Marc Jacobs also took a part. And it’s fun! Plus, skateboarding can be the instant way to get Punk-ed style (one of the most popular styles. You’ll thank me later) (or not). Interested? Just don’t forget to wear helmet, body protections and bring a really good Aspirin. G’luck!

P.S: A little weather reminder: do the skateboarding thing now, if you are interested, when the summer still raging and sunny days are easy to get.

Taken from The Sartorialist

Geek of the Day: Moss Graffiti

Who knows (or even comes in mind) that art can cost soo much for our environment. We try to save the nature with arts, but we are also slowly taking parts in destroying it. Well, maybe I jump to the topic too fast, what I mean by art is also taking parts in destroying our nature is the chemical waste industries dump after making oil colors or whatever chemical art material they make. We have to do something because, even though I am not an artist, I do care about our children’s futures whatsoever (yeah, just watched The Day After Tomorrow and 2012) (ugh, I don’t want to get trapped inside public library with nothing to eat except chocolates bars) (with wolves waiting outside to bite me and eat me alive. WOLVES!!).

And how about we start from the most popular and cheapest art form, yes people, graffiti. Maybe you are frowning your eye brows right now, graffiti?! What the hell is he talking about? I am talking about finding the replacement for usual spray paints. And the best replacement so far is….hold your breath…moss! Yes, moss! I think it is really make sense, moss is easy enough to stick on the wall and it is really soft which is perfect to make different shapes. Plus, they are as clean as wood creatures can be. With perfect green color, softer texture, unique textures and (most importantly) eco-friendly material, moss can held the future of our graffiti-paintings.

P.S: Check out Environmental Graffiti and Free People to get more informations about this exciting project!

Taken from HonestlyWTF

Burberry Prorsum Menswear Spring 2014

Okay, you got me! I am ignoring the menswear season this year because I am really not in the mood writing reviews and copying pictures. Please, I need rest, can someone do the heavy works for me? Anyone? Yeah, blogging can be a sucker for your holiday. But I can’t resist the Burberry Menswear Spring 2014 temptation. Christopher Bailey succeed (again) in making delicious collection that every man wants to wear. Maybe not every man, but most of us. This season Bailey took inspiration from author and painter, Alan Bennet and David Hockney. It looks like the trio come from Yorkshire and agreed to bring back some of the old memories back to the runway, along with modernity and simple Englishman masculinity. I can see that.

The colors look exceptionally bold, cheerful, and artsy while still maintaining clean cuttings and simple items like sweaters and things that we (men) actually want to wear. One thing that makes me praise the collection even more is the use of polkadots. I have seen polkadots a lot of times in womenswear, but rarely see it in menswear. Bailey in the other hand, gives quite a pattern show with polkadot shirts, scarves and, as sweet addition, striped ties. It’s like Burberry finally gives some spaces for artsy-fashion and cheerful moods. Good thing because I almost forgot what else Burberry makes except trench coats and umbrellas (duh!).

Some people say that Burberry is loosing it’s identity when Bailey (and the rest of the team) decided to go global. But I don’t think so, Burberry is simply evolving like any other major brand. Here’s the deal: fashion is a very quick business, once you are in, you have to go follow the flow (sometimes you have to make some splashes, of course) and keep up with it. If Burberry still sticked with it’s classic gentleman attitude and don’t want to loosen up a little bit, uh…maybe we can think other places to buy trench coats.

Anyway, good job Mr. Bailey and no negative critics for you this season. Best regards.

Taken from Style

STYLE Loves: Vintage Magazines

Nowadays, paper back magazines have become an old news that no one wants to buy, the digital era has finally scoop in and it seems we will be stucked with it for quite a long time. Probably forever. There are even some news (rumors actually) that in a few years from now, there will be no bookstore at all. WHAT?!!? Yup, no bookstore. iBooks and Amazon.com (and friends) are getting bigger role in selling digital books than any massive conventional bookstores and due to environmental issues (global warming blah), paperbacks will be no more than antique collection.

I am sad. I love touching novels’ papers and magazines, especially magazines.They smell so great and it feels much better in your hands. iPad or whatever a digital book reader called is great, but they are really tiring (my eyes…!!!) and I feel less smart reading from those metallic chics. Maybe because I know I will skip reading and go straight to Angry Bird-ing (and Temple Run-ing and sometimes (okay, all the time) Instagram-ing). I wish that rumors aren’t true, I really do. And if they are indeed true, maybe I need to go hunting for vintage paperback magazines…they can be really great investments.

P.S: What do you think? Paperback and digital books, which one do you choose?

Taken from Park and Cube

Gamu Moyo

Menswear is a tricky business. If you look closer, menswear designs never go anywhere dangerous or new. It’s not because menswear sucks or designers are lazy to observe new inspirations to create their designs. No, it’s simply because menswear’s items are pretty much the same. Same shirts with different patterns, same pants with different pockets, same coats with different buttons or zippers. That’s why people choose to go to womenswear designs where they can be really crazy and there are still some women who want to wear their clothes. After ruling the womenswear designs, they finally start to fall to menswear. In short, menswear is like a second choice, you can take it or you can leave it. Nothing really matters.

Thank God, there are a few design students that have enough sense not to take menswear design as something you can chew-then-spit-it, Gamu Moyo is one of them. Born in Zimbabwe and grew up in Johannesberg, Moyo is aware of different cultures and ethnics, making her designs pretty much contain those cultures. She admitted that she is a geek (eh, nope that’s my word) in gathering information about cultures. You probably are wondering why I talk about culture and her personal informations (is it personal?), it’s because culture is the main source of inspirations for designers. If you have open minded personality for other cultures, you will be easier to get inspirations and ideas. Moyo is a perfect example.

Her collection for Class Act Contest held by Kering and Parsons a few months (?) ago is a mixture between classic-simple/modern culture and exotic ones. The garments look unusual, there are a bit of messy style there and I really adore the way she styled the models, it’s like modern day-to-day style with a touch of uniqueness and something about Africa. Yeah, I know, but I really can’t describe the ‘africa’ feeling in words.

Anyway, I wouldn’t mind to wear those scarves and shirts. They must be pretty good on me…okay, they must be pretty good on every single man because not only cultural, Moyo’s collection is also wearable and sell-able. Hmm, the next phase for her is to carefully observe the mass market’s trend and not to get trapped too deep on that artsy-bitsy-holes. A lot of designers have fallen to that sticky hole before and as fas as I know (or care), they never come back.

Apart from that, Moyo along with her classmates are pretty much new-big-deals in the industry. Let’s support and watch them…carefully.

P.S: I also featured one of her classmates (is she?) and she is as good as Moyo, check it out!

Taken from Style