Gareth Pugh SS2011 Collection

To name thee one designer I'd associate with Halloween the most, it would have to be Gareth Pugh, hands down. So to celebrate this Halloween in style, I have here the video of Gareth Pugh's SS2011 Collection, which I only have two words to describe: Spooky fabulous!

Happy Halloween!

Fashion News: Abercrombie (Not So) Fierce

First there were the complaints about the incessant spraying of the brand's signature cologne, 'Fierce', in all the retail outlets, now research shows that there's a "secret chemical" in the fragrance that would harm male reproductive hormones.

I remember it was only a few years ago when everyone was crazy about Abercrombie & Fitch and people would actually queue up outside the Fifth Avenue flagship store and come out with handfuls of the brand's infamous paper bags. Now, their stock price continues to plummet, fashionistas are ostracizing the brand, and then there were the bed bugs pandemic over at Hollister; basically, bad press pretty much just follows them around these days.

Okay, back to the main point of this post: what should I do with the remaining half of the bottle of Fierce at home? I can't wear it because that would mean supporting their business model and I certainly do not want any of my reproductive hormones get harmed by some "secret chemicals". Can I sue arguing product liability and get my money back?

To read more about the news, click here.

3D glasses by Gucci and A|X

I've always thought the original Real D 3D glasses movie theaters hand out are not too shabby as they remind me of Ray-Ban's Wayfarer:

Photo credit: Real D 3D

But then I guess it's always good to have more options. Thanks to Gucci and Armani Exchange, we'll be looking extra stylish next time we go see a 3D movie with these branded 3D glasses! The Gucci ones (right) will be debuting in the US this December at US$225 a pair; and the Armani Exchange ones (left) will be available both in stores and online, also in December, but at just US$58.

Photo credit: L.A. Times

But wait... I thought at the movies, where all the lights are turned off anyway, people would just focus on the silver screen and not what 3D glasses the person sitting next to you is wearing?

Paul Smith Bags Campaign FW2010

Here are the latest visuals from Paul Smith BAG. Gone are the bright colors and eye-catching object patterns; instead, we get one of this season's hottest color palette - purple and camel - and more leather! I'm loving them both: The leather details in the messenger bag is very appealing and the shape is different from what we're normally used to seeing from the brand. It can be easily dressed up (with a suit for work) or down (for a causal weekend ensemble). The leather suitcase reminds me a bit of Salvatore Ferragamo's designs with the sewing details, but in a color that is very Paul Smith.

Photo credits: Paul Smith via ModeMan

Runway Look For Less: Shearling Leather Aviator Jacket

Saw something on the runway you absolutely adore but can't afford? Don't worry, you're not the only one! As a poor, meager student, my means are extremely limited. All the expensive textbooks, plus my Starbucks lifestyle don't exactly leave me with a runway fashion budget for every season. Fear not. That's what Zara and H&M are here for!

So I'd like to introduce you all to the first of a recurring segment called "Runway Look For Less", where I'll be showcasing fast fashion retailers' takes on the latest trends and seasonal must-haves.

Photo Credit: Burberry Prorsum

To name thee one runway piece that I'm absolutely and completely obsessed with this season would be Burberry's Shearling Leather Aviator Jacket. I don't know what it is, but the mixture of shearling and leather has created some sort of fashion aphrodisiac for me and I've been in love with this look ever since I first saw the Burberry Prorsum runway photos earlier this year. However, a look at the hefty price tags - for the one on the left: £2,995 (roughly HK$36,988) and the one on the right: £2,295 (roughly HK$28,238) - brought me back to my humble reality.

All is not lost though - after getting my haircut the other day, I saw THIS at the Zara in Times Square, Causeway Bay:

Photo Credit: ModeMan

Maybe I'm biased (since I snatched it right off the rack the moment I saw it and now it's sitting in my closet waiting for its debut), but I'd say the Zara version shares a, what, 90% similarity with the Burberry Prorsum one on the right? All that is missing are the two leather straps on the collar - which I briefly thought about fixing by getting two leather bracelets from H&M - but this is something I am willing to overlook, because the Zara version is only retailing at HK$899 (roughly £73)!

I know the Zara one doesn't even come close remotely in comparison to Christopher Bailey's divine creation, but it'll have to do for now!

thePerfectTangent SS2011 Lookbook

As a Hong Kong-based menswear blog, we of course have to feature some of the up-and-coming Hong Kong-based menswear lines. Here today, we have thePerfectTangent's latest SS2011 lookbook which basically captures everything I look for in fashion: effortless chic and timeless elegance. To put things into perspective, it's like the love child of Céline and Neil Barrett!

I love the simple but somewhat architectural looks in this collection. The color palette is really comfortable and pleasing to the eyes; the layering of separates is perfect for the Spring weather. There's also something very intelligent about the pieces that makes you stop for a second, closer look. (In fact, on further investigation, I found out "intellectual design" is actually designer Pak Man Lee's design philosophy.) My favorites are the khaki trench jacket, the grey sweater with the white side panels and the camel jacket.

I've only seen two collections (this one and FW2010) from thePerfectTangent so far, but I find myself becoming a fan already!

Photo credit: thePerfectTangent

Sex and the City Makeovers

Although this is primarily a men's fashion blog, these are just way too hilarious to not blog about!

In anticipation (or not, considering how disappointing the movie turned out) of the release of the Sex and the City 2 DVD, Warner Bros. has created these makeover series for die-hard fans who not only want to live vicariously through their favorite SATC characters, but also to look the part!

The obvious product placements and some really bad acting aside, I think everybody enjoys a lil makeover action from time to time (especially when it's sponsored by Bloomies)!

Carrie on and enjoy!









Video credit: Warner Bros.

Knits You Can't Miss

You know how sometimes fashion designers and stylists go, "This piece is my favorite; it's a friend you can always go to."? That's kinda how I feel about knitwear. Not only do they functionally keep you warm, they do wonders to a person's body - if you're skinny, they bulk you up; and if you're feeling a little bloated, they create the illusion that it's not your fault, it's just the way knitwear is. As the temperature gradually drops, I've pooled together some of my favorite knits this season, with different styles, at different price points:

Clockwise from top-left:

1. ASOS Double Breasted Jersey Cardigan  Like on a jacket, the double-breast buttons give your cardigan (and you, of course) a dandy feel to it without being too formal.
2. All Saints Morris Open Cardigan  The drape-y trend has extended from womenswear to menswear this season, so I bought this from London earlier this year but haven't had the chance to wear it so far...
3. Zara Lined Jacquard Jacket  These tribal knit patterns are one of the trends this season, but they're a bit hard to pull off without looking too busy visually, so pair it with something really plain and don't wear too many accessories!
4. H&M Grey Cardigan  Love the folded collar with the shoulder epaulets for the military effect, I personally got one in military green and it's amazingly cheap at HK$149!
5. Matthew Williamson Horse Print Sweater  Leave it to Matthew Williamson to bring chicness with patterns and colors, this sweater is the perfect piece to blend into any wardrobe.
6. Thom Browne Striped Sweater  I love me some bold red stripes! And hey, red is the color of Christmas!
7. 3.1 Philipp Lim Mid Grey Tiger Intarsia Jumper  Animal prints are gonna be huge for menswear so this Philipp Lim creation would be perfect for guys like me - who prefer something more understated, yet intriguing at the same time. Especially love the mix of leopard and tiger prints!

Photo credits: Matches, Zara, H&M, ASOS, All Saints, MyWardrobe.com

Boots for Dudes

In an effort to create that military-inspired look for this Winter, I've been on the look out for boots lately; and I must say unlike boots for the ladies, the perfect pair of boots for guys is extremely difficult to find (the same also goes for manbags). Either they're not tall enough to reach my calves or they're too rain boots-y. After some research, here are my favorite boots of the season:

Burberry Prorsum Shearling Lined Boots
Shearling is definitely one of the biggest trends for FW2010 - especially for Burberry. So it seems fitting to add shearling into the mix to create the hottest boots this season. The only thing pulling me back is the white shearling peeking out of the boots - from afar, they look as if the seamings of the boot itself bursted exposing the cotton inside. Love the calf-length though. If there's ever a standard for calf-length boots, this would be it.

Burberry Prorsum Distressed Leather Lace-up Boots

Slightly shorter than the one above but looking extra combat-ready in this delicious brown leather. It's like a pair of normal leather shoes given a leather tube on top. I actually bought something similar in suede from Zara earlier this year (see below). Coming to think of it, it would not be a bad idea to have the tube part detachable from the base! Then you get two pairs of shoes in one!

These are the Zara ones I got (Photo Credit: 00o00):

Bottega Veneta Double Buckle Boots

This is like the standard for combat boots out there. Very Dr. Martin and hard-looking. The buckles make the boots look extra macho and military, but they're a bit shorter than what I'm looking for and I'm not exactly sure if I want shiny leather all the way (vs distressed). Hmm...

Zara Combat Boots

You can always count on Zara to bring some cheaper-yet-similar option to the table. These look a bit like the Burberry ones and I like the studs at the top giving a more rustic feel to it. In fact, I saw these boots at Zara in September and I thought it'd be a tad bit too early to be shopping for boots already but guess what? They've been sold out for a month already. Lesson learned: there's never too early, only too late. Hong Kong has some fierce shopaholics. 

And my search continues...

Photo Credits: Burberry, Bottega Veneta, Zara

Balmain Homme SS2011 Lookbook

 

 
 
 

Balmain's fresh off the oven SS2011 lookbook, featuring Clément Chabernaud shot by Karim Sadli, brings us on a lazy Summer stroll down the rustic, Mid-West memory lane. Gone are the cowboys, instead we get (super-) skinny jeans and Balmain's signature fitted suit jackets. I'm especially loving the silver metal belt and the various silver ornaments on the jacket and shirt collar. It's interesting to see that red plaids are here to stay after being frequently featured in both menswear and womenswear in FW2010. The red leather jacket is also to die for!


Photo Credits: Balmain, The Fashionisto

Lanvin for H&M

As the entire fashion world waits with bated breath for the Lanvin for H&M fashion show to debut on November 2, we have here the latest visuals and teaser trailer for the biggest fashion collaboration of the year! By the way, was that hotel corridor referencing horror classic The Shining?

I'm really curious about what Alber Elbaz has in store for us gentlemen. From the looks of it, I can tell it's definitely going to be something exquisite and sophisticated Lanvin is famous for. My wardrobe has room for some more clean cut suit jackets and funky accessories! Bring it on!

Credits: H&M

Burberry Winter Storms Collection

My obsession with Burberry continues.

Following the April Showers collection earlier this year, the British mega brand is back with a brand new collection aptly titled Winter Storms for FW2010. These stunning images feature the brand's classic trench coats, signature checked scarfs and lots and lots of studs! Now, if only I could get my hands on all these amazing pieces and look so ridiculously hot in the Winter cold...!

Photo Credits: Burberry

H&M Trend Guide FW2010

As we bid farewell to the last bit of Summer heat, it's time to freshen up our wardrobe for Fall and Winter! Not sure what to invest in this season? Don't sweat - Swedish high street fashion power house H&M has put together a neat trend guide for FW2010! From the looks of it, expect lots of layering, heavy knits, big coats, boots, and tweeds this season! Key word: Military.

Time to stock up!

Credits: H&M

Welcome!

When it comes to fashion, I am definitely not an early adopter. I realize this may do more harm than good to my street cred as a newbie fashion blogger, but my philosophy in fashion has always been part avant garde, part timelessness, with the part in timelessness significantly bigger than that of avant garde. To me, fashion is about evolution, more than revolution.

Having that said, I may not be a trendsetter, but I am definitely not a laggard. So, here in this blog, while you won't find the latest fashion news nor the most updated runway looks; you'll see my favorite pieces and outfits that have been burgeoning in the fashion world. Things will be very distilled here and highly taste-specific - so hopefully there'll be a few of you out there who share my amateur eye in fashion!

Thanks for swinging by!

Photo credit: Smalto