The Skull that's Almost McQueen...

When this prying eyes spotted something that looks too good to be true, it can do no wrong. The previous visit to SEED has brought me to capture this one shirt amidst the other clothes on the hangers which I jumped to say, oh my, it's a McQueen! The skull 'monogram' that fills all over the shirt is such a mere resemblance to the printed skull on the famous McQueen scarves is what made me grab it to try on in the fitting room that day.

From afar the shirt looks similar to other printed shirts that you see on the the streets, but ogle it closer then you may came across the McQueen element of it. There're other designers who did the same skull monogram such as Commes des Garcons, as they did it on kilts and t-shirts as well for SS11. When I tried this one... it's an absolute perfecto! From the monochromatic black print on white base, the concealed buttons and the slim-fitting form - I have to say there's no way for me to leave SEED without grabbing this one home with me. 

So, I did....(esp after that 20% off with the voucher, how can I resist?!)

Alexander McQueen 'Columbia' Boots

I think I had a renewed crave for monk-strap shoes for the incoming new season. Dunno whether it's due to me seeing my Gucci monk strap moccassins that has been abandoned in the golden box in my wardrobe the other day, or is it because most of highstreet stores too have been filling up their shelves with the same thing - whatever it is, it's great to see the reappearance of the monk-strap footwear for Fall/Winter 2011 once again. 

I know monk-straps are not new coz it's been quite an enduring traditional one for any men to slip their foot into, yet this season there seem to be a minor twist on the strap itself. Not only the buckles are slightly larger, this particular one which I saw at Alexander McQueen FW11 show previously is quite something for itself. If you think two buckles is not enough, how about giving it another one - or better yet, make it a boots instead.

I have to say this 'Columbia' boots by McQueen is really 'up there' in the fashion pedestal. The brown color goes well with the grey wool or tweed suits for the cold season as it elevates the sartorial level even more. I love the fact that though the monk-strap made it look quite classic, yet by reinterpreting it into a pair of boots - it does transform the shoes to be a modern and contemporary version. And for more surprising take, there's elasticated portion on its side that look more like a Chelsea boots which helps you wear it much easier without having to do/undo the buckles. Brilliant and very McQueen indeed.

Still, if you think brown is not your thing; there's always a black Columbia with a hint of golden toe-front for you to give it a go...

[pix from style.com and oki-ni]

Similar Vibes, Different Designers

Many times when I mentioned the statement "great minds think alike" it always brought me to the claim "clone"! Coz somewhere, somehow when you see things are similar in design or in look, they might've been a copycat, right? Maybe yes, maybe no. Kinda like a deja vu.But I like to call it as - they're inspired by each other - that's the less mean statement than 'copycat'. Anyway, imitation is a form of flattery...

On the recent catwalk for Spring/Summer 2012, it seems that some pieces are actually quite similar to what I saw in the previous SS11. From the gradual tones blazer seen on Nicolas Ripoll who walked for Moschino that probably has the similar vibes as the McQueen jacket last SS11, to the cropped leather biker jacket worn by the model at Neil Barrett SS12 which is almost the same as Burberry one donned by Jeremy Young last year. Or in fact, both are seen on the same season, as the azure blue suit on Ryan Taylor in Bottega Veneta is almost equivalent to the Jonathan Saunders SS12, except for the buttons (which is more on Saunder's suit).

Whatever it is, if the clothes work for one season, no reason why you can't make it work again for next one. As long the vibes is good, it doesn't matter which designers did what for their collection. That's fashion : there's no rules!

Moschino SS12 (L) , Alexander McQueen SS11 (R)

Neil Barrett SS12 (L), Burberry Prorsum SS11 (R)

Bottega Veneta SS12 (L), Jonathan Saunders SS12 (R)

[pix from style.com]

Jason Godfrey for New Icon

Jason Godfrey - the guy in the America's Next Top Model promo ad  - has graced the editorial spread for the latest issue of New Icon magazine. Wearing the Spring/Summer collection by Gucci, Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier and Alexander McQueen - what more could you ask for to look good in the new season?!

p/s: Can I have his anti-ageing, please...

Shirt, belt and trousers - all by Gucci

Suit - Versace

Degrade Shirt - Alexander McQueen

Jacket - Gucci

V-neck t-shirt - Jean Paul Gaultier

Ensemble - Gucci

[pix scanned from new icon june/july 2011]

Get some of the similar look at Alexander McQueen and Gucci.

degrade shirt - Alexander McQueen

Floral shirt - Gucci @ Farfetch.

Horsebit-patterned shirt - Gucci @ Farfetch.

[pix from alexander mcqueen and farfetch]

Trendspotting: Neutrals for Summer

Don't you guys feeling the heat these days. While on the northern hemisphere they're now preparing for summer to arrive, right here in the equatorial we're already having the pinch of the scorching weather first hand. Very hot indeed, even the bushes near my house are set ablazed due to the nature's own radiated energy.

Anyway, mentioning hot weather and summer - the neutral tones that blend with the beach are the key to melting into the summer this year. White, cream, sand, taupe and light beige are going to be this season's hot favourites. As summer heat are very demanding, cotton and linen are the fibers to be worn, alongside with the lighweight materials and mesh-knitwear that allows more ventilation to the body.

Talking about beach - I think I need to go to Pulau Perhentian or Sipadan to whisk off this work stress...

Linen cardigan - Dunhill

T-shirt - Acne; Trousers and belt - Hermes; Sunglasses - Raf Simons

Swimshorts - Orlebar Brown

(L) V-neck sweater - Alexander McQueen

(R) Jacket and shorts - Jil Sander; Rope sandals - Dolce & Gabbana

(L) Double-layer sweater and shorts - Dolce & Gabbana

(R) Shirt, shorts and rope belt - Dolce & Gabbana 

(L) Knitted top and trousers - Salvatore Ferragamo; Sandals - Gucci

(R) Cotton shirt - Dolce & Gabbana; Trousers - Louis Vuitton

Cashmere jumper - Maison Martin Margiela, Trousers - Yves Saint Laurent,

Rope sandals - Dolce & Gabbana

[pix from the guardian UK]

Spring Trend: Print Shirts

One of the biggest trend for Spring is print shirts. It never fail to reappear every year since it has become a staple not only in the fashion magazines and on runways, but also in real life by which people wear it on the streets. In fact I think it even started to become a seasonless thing as it also seen in some fall/winter collections.  

Nowadays prints not only focused on the classic florals, but has elevated into diversity. The silhouettes of animals, shapes of flying butterflies, splattered paints, micro polka dots and stars, and even aeroplanes has made its way into creatively forming some kind of prints on men's shirt. Some examples are shown here, taken from Mr. Porter website - showing that men also is no more afraid to look fashionable in prints (just like moi in previous floral shirt).

So, which one is your choice? The one by Richard James looks pretty cool. Kinda have that McQueen vibes in the SS11 collection. If you want something much bolder butterflies, you might find it at Roberto Cavalli (as being worn by Arthur Sales in the ad campaign). 

[pix from mr. porter]

Wear the Art by McQueen

If I could have some pieces in my wardrobe that could be claimed as wearing art, I'll definitely choose these two items from Alexander McQueen's Spring/Summer 2011 collection. The jacket is amazingly cut, and the fact that it has the gradual tones, distressed look making it much coveted piece that is worthy to be kept. And the poppy print shirt in red/black is also beautiful - looks as if you're wearing a bolero jacket on the outside, though it's only the illusion from the flower print itself. Truly magical pieces...

Alexander McQueen Spotlight Jacket Blazer - $4000

Alexander McQueen Poppy Print shirt - $1125

[pix from ssence]

Highstreet vs. High End: 'Offset' Monk-strap Loafers

For any shoe maniac, you must have different types of formal footwear in your shoe closet. Lace-ups oxfords and derby, as well as the slip-ons or sometimes called loafers and moccassins. The advantage of wearing a pair of loafers is the quick-to-wear coz you don't need to mess up with the laces which took most of the time to be done. Especially during emergency, which took forever to take it off or wear it on. With loafers it's easy - you just slip and go!

Mentioning loafers, you too must have different types of loafers in your collection. (You've seen mine right?). You must have one with tassel, one with crossbody strap like the Gucci horsebit or webbing, and also monk-strap loafers - which is characterized by the presence of buckle, either one or many, on the side of the footwear. If you're really crazy enough, then you've gotta have them in many colors like black, brown and neutral, or in different materials such as matt leather, patent leather, exotic skin, velvet..etc etc! (but at the moment, just start with one type first ok!).

Anyway, mentioning monk-strap loafers I like these lots by which the buckle is located slightly offset towards the back of the foot. I love how contemporary it look, unlike the typical one where the buckle is exactly on the side (click here for example). What's out there in the market? On the high-end designer part you got this loafers by Alexander McQueen with slightly rounded toe, giving the look of almost traditional. The price? A mega yikes!! £435.

Alexander McQueen Gable Leather Shoe - £435 @ Harrods

(you can get cheaper at Mr Porter.com, £408)

On the highstreet side, the one by Kurt Geiger looks equally good if not better. I actually prefer this one more coz the almond toe gives a sense of modern and much contemporary look compared to the previous. And of course, it's cheaper and you won't burn a big hole in your wallet - in fact you can get two of those, one in matt leather like this and the other in patent leather - with the price of one McQueen! Talking about chiconomics, right? :)

Kurt Geiger Garret leather loafer - £170.

(there's also another version in patent leather)

Lookbook: White Lovin'

1. Ruch-front t-shirt: Topman
2. White micro-cord trousers - Bottega Veneta @ Matches Fashion
3. Skull neckerchief - Alexander McQueen @ Farfetch
4. Slim leather belt - Topman
5. Canvas tote - Burberry
6. Diamante canvas tote with ostrich leather trim - Gucci
7. Chrono watch in white leather strap - Emporio Armani
8. Chrono ceramic watch - Emporio Armani
9. Padded pleather hi-tops - Topman
10. White brogue lace-ups - Paul Smith

+J Spring/Summer 2011 Collection

Did some of you already enjoyed the new collection by +J - Jil Sander for Uniqlo - that has been out in-store and online last week? I dunno about this time coz I'm not there to experience it either at Oxford Street or Westfield London where the colletion is housed in-store. I heard the reception is better than last year. Yes, last year I'm not really sure how to put it: in short, it's quite a cold response. Though the event for the +J Spring/Summer 2010 is organized by Grazia magazine, there're not many people around. When I stepped in, I think the store is mine. you know what I mean? As I mentioned, quite a cold response, as cold as the winter chill in January 2010.

Anyhow, I'm quite pleased to see good range appear in the collection for SS11. Many light colors and much better fit than before. Though still lots of basics and some is even repetitive like the previous - but thats what you want from +J. Simple, clean silhouette, great cut - and the most important: a touch from a high-end designer without the high-end prices.

Anyway, when I browse thru some pieces I can't help but quite delighted with how it appears to be. Some whites seems to make its way which seems to be abscent in SS10. What is better is, how some pieces looks like they can be a great substitute to the high-end labels.

For instance is the white blazer, which will be in-store and online next March, looks like a good replacement for the YSL seersucker jacket. With just one fifth of the designer price... who wouldn't feel tempted? Or if you're going to an evening event, the tuxedo blazer by Jil Sander for Unilqo looks equally good as the Alexander McQueen one, without the hefty price tag of course.

So, did Jil Sander succeed in bringing her designer midas touch  without the designer price for everyone to enjoy? I don't have to answer that coz the pix could tell it all.

Other pieces that is truly welcomed into the collection is the cropped trousers. Last summer in London I'm quite sceptical to try on the Uniqlo's own range which I think looks quite silly. I thought: cropped pants, who would wear that? But I'm wrong coz being a little 'mischeavous, adventurous' freak myself, it turned out that the cropped pants is something I truly like. Why and how?

Look. I didn't wear any shorts with a hemline that goes higher up above my knees. So, these cropped pants work wonders coz not only it can be worn as its own, I tend to roll it up and voila... I got an instant shorts, without exposing my knees. I thought it was brilliant coz it skims my legs even better than any shorts out there in the market since the fabric contains elastane. And that's why I'm rooting for this +J cropped pants too coz I think it'll be as good as, if not better, than what Uniqlo has done previously.

One more item that I never fail to buy for two consecutive seasons by Jil Sander's +J range is the shirts. White shirt to be precise. I dunno what it is, but I think +J white shirt is the best in town. The fabric is just right - it's not too sheer or peeking, the fit is awesome, and the price is very affordable. Two consecutive seasons (FW09/10 and SS10), I find there's a little tweaking here and there too. It's not the same even if it looks like it. For this new SS11, I saw a different take on their classic white shirt as well. What is it?

Try to look at the pix. Can you see the diagonal hems on both sides of the waist? How's that will change your look, you ask? It'll made you appear slimmer coz it'll make a slim silhoutte around your torso. I can't give much explanation coz you have to try it yourself. I have a couple of shirts with that diagonal-hem feature myself, and that's why I can tell you briefly what it does. Skim to slim. :)

Btw, I love the peak collar of these shirts. They're to die for!

As I said, +J is all about simplicity. Clean and chic, at the same time. The basics that +J offers is utterly seasonless actually coz you can wear it practically all year round. Except for the wool overcoat which is quite heavy (who would wear wool overcoat in summer!?), other pieces can be worn anytime. (Trust me, I have a lot of +J pieces from both seasons myself!). But another word of advice: select carefully coz not all pieces looks good - some can be too tacky (like the utility jacket two seasons ago, yikes!).

Anyway, these are some look in their ad campaign fronted by Clement Chabernaud.

P/S: Think I should head down to Fahrenheit 88 in KL to check 'em out...