Two great events in one post? Fashion designer Rogan is opening a new boutique in New York, and New York magazine reports that R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe will be having an art show there, exhibiting some bronze sculptures he did of cameras and music devices. Said Stipe:
“The radio alarm clock … changed forever the fragile state between sleeping and waking, allowing you to wake to your favorite radio station … The polaroid revolutionized photography by providing instant images available to anyone … Cassettes provided portable, compact music, altering forever the influence of radio as the individual became their own disc jockey.”
The items are not for sale but if you show up on the 27th you can pick up a Rogan Stipe T-shirt.
Grant Theft Auto star and fashion designer/photographer Karl Lagerfeld is launching his new book Metamorphoses of an American at a New York gallery opening tonight. It features five years worth of photos of model. Lagerfeld’s attachment to Brad Kroenig is apparently as strong as his attachment to Diet Coke— he’s always on hand.
Maureen Orth yesterday posted a piece on the Lagerfeld/Kroenig relationship for Vanity Fair:
“‘Have you met Brad?’ Lagerfeld asked. Brad Kroenig, a top male mode who, at 6 foot 1, looks vaguely like Matthew McConaughey, was sparkling in the same silver sequined jacket he’d worn to the Met Costume gala the night before. He and Lagerfeld attended New York’s ‘party of the year’ together, and they had just arrived in Paris the afternoon I saw them, none the worse for wear. Kroenig, an easy-going 29-year-old with the uncanny ability to transform himself to look like everyone from James Dean to Errol Flynn, is the American whose ‘metamorphoses’ Lagerfeld has been documenting for the past five years. ‘I thought it would be interesting to follow the physical evolution of someone,’ the designer told me in his rapid-fire German accent. ‘Without him knowing it, he has an unbelievable range. It’s a kind of gift. He knows nothing about these things. It’s fun for somebody to skate on these images and interpretations without being an actor—the characters, the situations, the attitudes, while at the same time to stay a completely modern all-American.'”
Let’s look back at Marc Jacobs’s New York Fashion Week Spring Summer 2008. show in New York had a twist. After the designer took his bows, the show ran backward, beginning with evening dress and then daytime wear. The theme of the night for his clothes was shattered glass perspective. I know Marc Jacobs like having fun and being a “bad boy” in the fashion industry, (being the complete opposite to his partner at Hermès), but unfinished skirts and dresses missing sleeves? Come on!
I can feel the stress of Veronique Nichanian every season when I look at Hermès male line. When compared to its other half, “bad boy” Jean Paul Gaultier, Nichanian is like the big sister who can’t cross the line especially because Hermès has got to remain classy. Even she can use the world’s most extortionate fabrics and materials, Nichanian needs to remain discreet and subtle in her design concept. That’s why you need to look at Hermès design from a another perspective. For instance, this season Nichanian put her creativity in unconventional duos like dark and vibrant colours, raw material and detailed cutting…etc. As if she is taking Jean Paul Gaultier on.
Nichanian intelligently made the male line of Hermès look as if they’re very comfortable, with a pinch of creativity. In case this does not come out as legendary, it would at least work as a fashion “herbal tea”, providing homeopathic stress relief for the fashion audience. I noticed that there are some uneven collar shirts, showing a minor characteristic of a rebellious boy perhaps, or maybe she’s trying to create gentleman with a twist.
Trendpick: Shearling Chic: Shearling ching’s big coats is a new come back, becoming fall/winter’s new love. Hermès, however, focuses on the collar of shearling, laying low yet following the trend.
Juicy Couture is taking Palm Beach California as its muse for the Spring/Summer 08. A lot of colours used to match simple and fitted cutting. It is no secret that Juicy Couture loves their candy-like colours. This season it continues with more hip colours such as jade, day light yellow and rouge to go along with exotic patterns (bringing on the casual summertime feeling aye?)
From what I am seeing, towelling is still this season’s hip item. Other than the classic velvet towelling tracksuit, exotic printing and patterns can be seen on Juicy Couture’s new items. Towelling and velvet one piece and tube top dresses are also introduced this season. Are you ready for a juicy spring/summer?
Going to court a lot made me realize one thing: no matter how great your argument is, it does not matter if the suit you’re wearing makes you look like shit. I don’t care how much drugs the guy was selling, or how he pointed a gun at some guy’s head, it’s total eye sore to watch the prosecutor do his job with a bad suit on. A modern man needs to know how to dress, especially in suits.
General Tips:
It needs to fit- You may not be an intimate guy but a suit needs to fit closely to your body, no over size ok? If they don’t have your size at the store, don’t compromise, go get a tailor-made (Trust me, it’s not expensive these days).
Brand matters little- A Gucci or YSL may be nice, but it’s much more important to have a suit that you’re comfortable in. You are better off with something that suits you than looking weird in a $1800USD Gucci. We all agree that men work better when they’re comfortable don’t we?
Cotton or wool only- Please, don’t argue with me on this
Colours that always work:
Black- It’s chic, it’s New York and it’s versatile. May it be a job interview, a funeral or your best friend’s wedding it works. If you can only have one suit, it’s black.
Grey- It’s plain, conservative and classic. If you want o play safe in an occasion and still be dandy, grey is the choice for you.
Blue- Want something more fun and casual? Blue makes you welcome everywhere you roam. For those who don’t want to look like a dork in parties and gathering.
Jacket
Single or Double? Single-breasted and double-breasted Jacket both work well with most body types. If you’re a slender guy, single-breasted would fit you nicely. Double-breasted would make the broad more appealing.
Those damn buttons-Two is certainly popular. Just remember that you ONLY button the top one. Try look into the mirror with both and you’ll know what I mean. Three is classic and, well, still classic. Either button the middle one only or the top two. Four? Well The Beatles did it… but as for men today, don’t even think about it, at least not this season.
How fit is fit? Again, it has to be close to your body. Make sure it does not wrinkle when you button though.
Trousers
We usually pick the ones that come with the suit. It certainly saves a lot of brain cells from choosing and it’s safe. Do have a back-up pair of pants though so you can change between them once in a while, or, if anything bad happens to it, you still got a spare pair.
Well these are the basics. I can’t assure that you’ll look like George Clooney but hey! At least you will look good in your suit.
Too much reading? Try this video with Calvin Klein’s CEO in it.
Hip to be... 