What: When You’re a Boy: Men’s Fashion Styled by Simon Foxton

Why: This is the first exhibition that focuses on a stylist rather than a photographer and will be devoted to the menswear stylist Simon Foxton. Celebrating the fashion photography of men by men and curated by ]]>

What: When You’re a Boy: Men’s Fashion Styled by Simon Foxton

Why: This is the first exhibition that focuses on a stylist rather than a photographer and will be devoted to the menswear stylist Simon Foxton. Celebrating the fashion photography of men by men and curated by Penny Martin the exhibition examines Foxton’s career over the last three decades.

When You’re a Boy will cover the issues of Foxton’s working practice and his collaborations with Nick Knight, Jason Evans and Alasdair McLellan, Donald Christie, Giles Price and many more.

When: 17th July until the 4th October 2009

Where: 16-18 Ramillies Street, London, W1 (Admission free)

Photo courtesy of Simon Thiselton

Dame Vivienne Westwood is no less than fashion queen when it comes to womenswear so when we found out that her son, Ben Westwood, was breaking into men’s fashion we just had to tell you.

Better known as a ladies erotic photographer it was no surprise to hear that he would be following in the footsteps of his mother and launching his own fashion line.

Comprising of jackets, trousers and shorts we can’t wait to see what he is made up. Especially as he is in direct competition with his father-in-law whom designs the [...]]]>

Dame Vivienne Westwood is no less than fashion queen when it comes to womenswear so when we found out that her son, Ben Westwood, was breaking into men’s fashion we just had to tell you.

Better known as a ladies erotic photographer it was no surprise to hear that he would be following in the footsteps of his mother and launching his own fashion line.

Comprising of jackets, trousers and shorts we can’t wait to see what he is made up. Especially as he is in direct competition with his father-in-law whom designs the MAN collection for Vivienne Westwood.

Ben’s brother, Joseph Corre, is also part of the fashion elite what with being founder of Agent Provocateur and will be supporting his brother by stocking the line in his new store, A Child of the Jago.

The clothing range has been designed and made at Vivienne Westwood HQ in Battersea in time to put together a collection for September’s London Fashion Week. Sounds promising…

Either Steve Erkel’s legend presided over the proceedings of the spring shows in New York or tis the season to be suspended since braces were out in full force. Notwithstanding Larry King’s hoary relationship with braces, the philia being shown towards suspenders is unprecedented. Then again, Rag & Bone were up to bat on day one of the week’s festivities so the penchant for braces could very well have stemmed from the seventies, skinhead feel of the British duos SS09 collection. All the same, it’s quite evident that suspenders haven’t gotten this much play in decades so, for [...]]]>

Either Steve Erkel’s legend presided over the proceedings of the spring shows in New York or tis the season to be suspended since braces were out in full force. Notwithstanding Larry King’s hoary relationship with braces, the philia being shown towards suspenders is unprecedented. Then again, Rag & Bone were up to bat on day one of the week’s festivities so the penchant for braces could very well have stemmed from the seventies, skinhead feel of the British duos SS09 collection. All the same, it’s quite evident that suspenders haven’t gotten this much play in decades so, for some, the return to sartorial tradition is more so a trek into new frontiers.

Over the course of the SS09 shows, suspenders popped up on two Rag & Bone looks and the ever so keen eye of The Sartorialist spotted them on some chaps moseying about New York.

The fetish continued well into the fall 2009 shows as Chloё Sevigny for Opening Ceremony collection featured the two pronged accessory amidst an androgynous élan.

However, particular reference is made to Rag & Bone for the British designer’s tongue-in-cheek assault on the propriety of brace wearing. Staying true to the collection’s punkish ethos, the Rag & Bone pair communicated the rebellion of this subculture through the somewhat atypical use of braces. In point, braces are hardly worn with belts; the pairing is seen as rather illogical. Yet Rag & Bone boldly juxtaposed the two in a cohesive nod to the mod culture; although, the duo did make amends a few looks later as the suspender was duly worn sans belt.

At this rate, suspenders are destined to become the next essential wardrobe item for gents. If this is the case, then striking a chord of individuality is a must. Getting creative with colour, width, or the use of various fasteners (clip or buttons) is a good start. Nevertheless, a plucky character could very well embark on the road Rag & Bone took and challenge a fashion faux pas. However, the mod look can at times feel rather tried and tested. Owing to the virtual decline of bona-fide legions of the culture, you would be hard-pressed to locate a true mod who would escape raised eyebrows to a belt and suspender pairing. Thus, I would opt for the latter assortments of aesthetic differences (i.e., color, width), but applying them in an ingenuous way akin to this Parisian gentleman who enlisted measuring tape for suspenders! A case in point, of how far a little creativity can take you.

In comparison to our female counterparts, menswear can be viewed as rigid. To some, the stoic tradition that defines men’s fashion is what keeps things on an even keel. For others, these rigours serve as creative license to unsettle what seems to be the norm. I say all this because I’m noticing a rebel of sorts within menswear that would leave the staunchest traditionalists livid. However, for the longevity of men’s fashion, I think this break with tradition can be healthy. Or maybe not. Well, you be the judge as I share with you some recent avant garde [...]]]>

In comparison to our female counterparts, menswear can be viewed as rigid. To some, the stoic tradition that defines men’s fashion is what keeps things on an even keel. For others, these rigours serve as creative license to unsettle what seems to be the norm. I say all this because I’m noticing a rebel of sorts within menswear that would leave the staunchest traditionalists livid. However, for the longevity of men’s fashion, I think this break with tradition can be healthy. Or maybe not. Well, you be the judge as I share with you some recent avant garde encounters and sightings that had me shook.

So a few weeks back I was on the board of interviewers tending to a candidate for an entry−level business position. To our bemusement, the young man walked into the interview with fully exposed white socks paired with black dress shoes!?!? Bewildered does not begin to describe how I felt at such a fashion faux pas. However, what had me more puzzled was the fact that this young lad had the audacity to attempt such fashion brazenness in a setting this formal. Experimenting with sock colours is one thing, but at least wait until you land the job. Only then can you slowly inject personality through your dress à la Steve Erkel if you must.

Afterwards, I got to thinking: was I antiquated or had visibly sporting white socks with dress shoes become trendy overnight? I’ve been under the impression that the Michael Jackson “Beat It” era had been vanquished, but when three is a trend (and men are boldly entering interviews with black lace−ups complete with white socks), you have to start reprogramming your style schema as to what is and isn’t acceptable.

On that thought, I embarked on a bit of trend spotting and low and behold, peppered throughout cities far and wide, a revolt was in place on the established order of sock wearing. The streets are definitely talking and they are all for white socks and black dress shoes. Judging from these four looks, it’s safe to say their foray into the sartorial unknown is largely personality driven, with the odd dollop of style. In that sense, pardon may be granted to them for their subtle channeling of a nerdy élan.

However, my run in with white socks and black lace−ups was utterly unacceptable and left me unconvinced at the growing fad. But then again, who’s to say that the interviewee wasn’t emboldened by the same forces that spurred these four men to opt for verve at the expense of sartorial traditions. Even if that was the case, there’s a time and a place for the instinctive quirk in one’s style to surface and the boardroom is not one of them.

That being said, I’ll give it a couple months and revisit these pictures and see where my stance lies on the matter. I guess in the department of socks I’m what you would call one of the traditionalists that are yet to be won over to the whimsical ways of the new school. Sticking to conservative blacks, grays, browns, and tans has left my sock collection rather void of a crotchety style. Then again, in reference to the quandary at hand, I’m well aware that pairing white socks and black shoes steers clear of the bootee phenomenon (when you’re socks match your shoes hence there being no demarcation between where shoe ends and sock begins). However, when I see white socks worn with black lace−ups, I can’t help but envision Michael Jackson and his flailing legs bedecked with sequined white socks (yes, check out the “Beat It” video to relate to this mental imagery). So if anything, I believe come two months I’ll still be in agreement with the Style Guy in saving “your white socks for your white suit and white shoes.”

[Image; Images]

Unlike their female counterparts, when it comes to accessorising for red carpet events male A-listers have very limited options indeed. Tie, bow tie or no tie? That’s not saying they don’t pull out all the stops. Here’s our verdict on the most stylish from the night….

And the worst? Yes, that’s Mickey Rourke.

Kanye West. Rapper, producer, blogger and now footwear designer. Whichever way you slice it, Kanye is serious about making his mark.

On Source

I won’t lie, for some time I’ve been rather envious of women and their privy to Giles Deacon’s artisanship. Considering that my wardrobe is chockfull of quirk, I’ve been in a fit of jealousy since Deacon’s eponymous label, Giles, is tailored for the whimsical, imaginative, and witty woman. Although I’m all for androgyny, I’m not much of a cross−dresser so the idea of squeezing into a dainty sheath dress just because of my predilection for Deacon’s meandering aesthetic is a far distant reality.

Even when Deacon signed on with British high−street retailer, New Look, in 2006 to produce seasonal capsule collections, [...]]]>

I won’t lie, for some time I’ve been rather envious of women and their privy to Giles Deacon’s artisanship. Considering that my wardrobe is chockfull of quirk, I’ve been in a fit of jealousy since Deacon’s eponymous label, Giles, is tailored for the whimsical, imaginative, and witty woman. Although I’m all for androgyny, I’m not much of a cross−dresser so the idea of squeezing into a dainty sheath dress just because of my predilection for Deacon’s meandering aesthetic is a far distant reality.

Even when Deacon signed on with British high−street retailer, New Look, in 2006 to produce seasonal capsule collections, he stuck to appeasing his feminine admirers and rightly so. Thankfully, two years in, Deacon has finally unleashed a collection for men over at New Look and the end result was worth the wait!

The graphic inspired prints that sauntered down Giles SS09 show are visible in his men’s line for New Look. My personal favourite happened to be the spunky purple (they have it in a peach fizz hue, but I’ll kindly pass) animal print shirt. The short rolled up sleeves in concert with the jazzy animal print exude a grunge punk feel synonymous with London club culture. £16 £3, available at New Look.

It’s non-stop for Gareth Pugh. With the release of the Paris men’s fashion week schedule comes news that that the British designer will be branching out into menswear.

His reasons? ]]>

It’s non-stop for Gareth Pugh. With the release of the Paris men’s fashion week schedule comes news that that the British designer will be branching out into menswear.

His reasons? Speaking to WWD Pugh explained,

Following the last show, the first show where I did not have any male models, lots of people commented on there not being any men’s wear in the collection….It felt like a good time to take on a new challenge and do a men’s wear collection. The collection will have all the staples of a men’s wear show, but obviously with my own slant.”

His much anticipated men’s collection will make its debut in January at the Paris menswear shows. Often described as avant-garde the question on everyone’s lips is, “What can we expect?”

How interesting it would be if Pugh did a complete u-turn from his usual aesthetic. Naturally we wait with baited breath. …

It’s all very hush hush, but the much heralded womenswear designer, Zac Posen, could be venturing into the market of menswear!

Posen’s mix of sprightliness and exquisite tailoring has won him praise—and criticism—that would be a welcomed addition to uncanny sensibilities that are emerging in men’s fashion today. If there’s any truth to this, we can’t wait because classic men’s items can become nondescript and could benefit from a dollop of Posen’s exuberant, no holds barred taste. We’ll keep you posted…

[Source/Image]

If you thought GOP vice-president nominee, Sarah Palin’s wardrobe expenditure on the campaign was exorbitant, her running mate, Sen. John McCain, blew her out of the park with recent revelations that the presidential candidate has doled out wads of dollars all in the name of aesthetics. And Obama’s supposed to be the celebrity?!

While Palin’s $150,000 campaign wardrobe was all the fuss, it would do us all some good to peep on over to how the potential head-of-state is spending his finances.

When it comes to make-up alone, McCain spent a whopping $5,583.43 in comparison to Palin’s $4,716.49 on hair [...]]]>

If you thought GOP vice-president nominee, Sarah Palin’s wardrobe expenditure on the campaign was exorbitant, her running mate, Sen. John McCain, blew her out of the park with recent revelations that the presidential candidate has doled out wads of dollars all in the name of aesthetics. And Obama’s supposed to be the celebrity?!

While Palin’s $150,000 campaign wardrobe was all the fuss, it would do us all some good to peep on over to how the potential head-of-state is spending his finances.

When it comes to make-up alone, McCain spent a whopping $5,583.43 in comparison to Palin’s $4,716.49 on hair and makeup. Mind you, McCain’s expenses were for make-up alone so we wonder what the bill would have looked like if he fancied some hair primping…oh, we forgot: he’s balding!

Taken together, this type of behaviour from Palin and McCain illustrates that we have a pair of frivolous spenders on the GOP ticket, but then again all this spending is consistent with Republican mantra of “big spending” init!

But on a more fashionable note, McCain’s assumed penchant for superstar makeup crews to swoon over him is a hint to the ever changing face of grooming in today’s society. Neologisms like metrosexual have been thrown around to sketch out this new breed of men who exhibit a concern for their appearance. However, when aged, military vets who spend much of their days on the fashionably dire Hill (Capitol Hill, Washington, DC folks) are cavorting about with star studded makeup crews that consist of Tifanie White (she does tune up jobs for American Idol), then you start to wonder whether men are truly the new women!

[Source]