Down On The Scene

About a year ago, I started following street style blogs religiously. I started off following The Sartorialist, then Jak & Jil, Street Pepper, Altamira, and Style Sightings quickly followed. I was hooked on the impossibly chic and glamorous men and women. The incredibly skinny jeans, the teetering stilettos, tight jackets and blazers; these people photographed were the epitome of young effortless style.

If my house caught on fire and I was allowed to take one clothing item with me, it would be the leather jacket pictured above. I saw many motorcycle jackets on street style blogs and I was in love. Like on Jared Leto (left), Freja Beha (right) and Lily Donaldson (far right) the jackets were so kick-ass and cool. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a jacket like this in Toronto, so I picked up this jacket while strolling through Camden Town in London. It was originally belted and came with lots of tassels, but some scissors quickly made the jacket more masculine.
The shirt I’m wearing is from the Jimmy Choo for H&M collection, and is my take on the fabulous grey shirts I saw on the Spring 2010 runways (like Alexander Wang, upper left). In hindsight, I wish I bought two, one to wear regularly, and one to put bullet holes in, like the Balmain menswear t-shirts. I’m wearing Levi’s 511 ultra skinny jeans I got at Over The Rainbow (the best place for denim in Toronto!) which complete my street style look. The song which represents the mood of my outfit is a mashup of Jimi Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady” and Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”. The mashup is incredibly fierce, and was mixed specially for the Versace F/W 2006/07 show. What do you think of my outfit? Continue Reading "Down On The Scene"

Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

When I was younger I was the biggest WASP ever. Private school? Check! Tennis lessons? Check! Sunday school? Check! Yacht club? Check! Sometimes I even surprise myself at how much I’ve changed. It’s interesting that my revulsion towards sailing and tennis didn’t fizzle my love for the classic clothing of the sports. My introduction to fashion came from the store Sporting Life (a huge WASP’s nest) where sporting goods and high-end sportswear were sold. I remember one night when I spent hours getting a ski boot moulded to my foot, I wandered over to the Lacoste and Ralph Lauren boutiques. At that point I knew nothing about fashion, but I knew I wanted to look like the models in the ad campaign posters that lined the walls.

I also recall another instance(a few summers ago) when I saw the Ralph Lauren Wimbledon collection, and I immediately fell in love with the white cabled v-neck sweater with a stripe around the neck and an emblem on the chest. I searched all over Toronto for my beloved sweater, and finally was told that the Wimbledon collection wasn’t being sold in Canada. All hope was lost, until last December when my Mom was shopping in Florida and frantically called me on the phone:

Mom:” I’m at Ralph Lauren and there’s a huge sale! Is there anything you want for Christmas”
Ted: “Well do they have any sweaters?”
Mom:”Yes of course, be more specific.”
Ted: “Do they have any white v-neck sweaters?”
Mom: “Yes there are some right in front of me.”
Ted: “Are they cabled? Do they have an emblem on the left breast and a stripe around the neck?”
Mom: “As a matter of fact they do!"

So that’s the (rather long) story of my prized sweater pictured above. I bought the white and blue striped shirt this August at the Gap, after seeing how great it looked on Andrew Cooper in the F/W 2009 ad campaign. The jeans are from Topman, in London. Most of the time I like to dress very urban and sleek, but from time to time I love letting out my inner WASP. The song I chose to share with you today is “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” by Vampire Weekend. I played this song nonstop at my cottage this summer, and whenever it pops up on my iPod, I am instantly transported to a sunny, sandy beach with the wind blowing through my hair. Continue Reading "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"

My Morning Jacket

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When I started blogging my goal was to practice writing, as well as to have a place to put all of my thoughts and feelings. For the most part, I cover fashion as an outsider, and rarely post about myself. I am always open to feedback, and several readers requested that I write more about myself! So for the next little while I am going to write about both my own fashion aesthetics and style alongside covering industry news and events. I hope you will get to know be better as a person, and understand why I love fashion!

This is the first instalment of a series where I will write about my daily outfits, and where I got my inspiration from. Some references and inspiration are very linear, while others are obscure and abstract. To create a multi-sense experience, I will include a song that I think embodies the outfit, so before you start reading, click play on the toolbar! Also, click the image to get a closer look at my inspirations!

My first outfit is comprised of clothes I have accumulated over a few years. The grey blazer was a gift from my parents for Christmas this year. I always loved grey blazers, they are very sophisticated and sleek, but have more warmth and character compared to a plain black blazer. I first noticed a grey blazer in a photograph of JFK and Jackie O. on the cover of Vanity Fair November 2007. Then I saw more grey blazers on the catwalks of Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Michael Kors; I had to have one!

I’ve had this dress shirt for years, and I continue to wear it on a regular basis. I don’t wear much colour, but the burgundy is very refined and contemporary. I like to think the shirt has a very Parisian feel, and reminds me of the Lanvin menswear Fall 2009 show. The shirt also has very subtle vertical pinstripes. Both the blazer and shirt are from H&M.

I got my black corduroy pants from Topman in London, last October on my first trip to Britain. They fit perfect, and are very comfortable. You can wear them with nearly everything! I am also wearing two necklaces. The first is a chain with a few ornaments on it, including a miniature postcard, key, and transit token. The second is an Irish pendant my friend gave to me a few summers ago. I only wear “sentimental” jewelry that I keep for years. I first started wearing jewelry when I noticed how well Johnny Depp wore pendants and trinkets. He always wore special pieces, and kept it very masculine.

The song which embodies my outfit is “Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Part II” by My Morning Jacket. My friend showed me this song a few months ago, and I have listened to it nonstop. I love how the song starts off very basic, but when the instruments are put together it creates something beautiful, modern, and poetic. I like to think that the individual pieces in my wardrobe are basic, but when paired together also produce something modern and poetic.

What did you think of this post? Leave your response after the jump!

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Snakes On A Model?

In the past week not one, but two top models have found themselves tangled up in a reptilian mess! First, in Alexander McQueen’s Spring 2010 ad campaign Raquel Zimmermann posed with dozens of (Photoshopped?) snakes, in all shapes and sizes! The snakes were perhaps an homage to McQueen’s infamous Armadillo heels (pictured), which Lady GaGa sported in her “Bad Romance” music video.

The second model to work with (more realistic) snakes was Anja Rubik, where the slithery creatures played as a backdrop for the exotic jewelry draped on her body! The Vogue Paris editors perfectly paired the colours and patterns of the snake’s skin with the statement jewelry! What do you think of these snake themed photo shoots? Leave your response, and see more photos after the jump!

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Party In The USA!

From Chanel to D&G, the Spring 2010 catwalks were full of references to American history and heritage. For their February 2010 issue, Vogue Russia decided to celebrate the beauty of fantastic (and sometimes rival) nation. Magdalena Frackowiak graces the cover, and plays a bohemian cowboy in a Tom Munro editorial. Magda shows her softer side, clad in destroyed jean, fringe, and fanny packs. Famous for a career heavily centered on runway modeling, Madga proves that she can evoke emotions beautifully, and deserves more print work!

Another editorial features Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr as a pilgrim, wearing full skirts, ponchos and an array of hats. Photographed by Willy Vanderperre, Miranda shows the high-fashion side of her, which we see rarely. After seeing both beautiful editorials I am left with one question: For the America issue, shouldn’t Vogue Russia have featured American designers and models instead of international counterparts? Leave your opinion (and see both editorials in their entirety) after the jump!

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Balmainia Hits the Y Chromosome!

For seasons, women across the world have been obseossed with Christophe Decarnin’s sexy designs for Balmain. It appears a number of fashion conscious men have also caught onto the trend of “Balmainia”. For Fall 2010 menswear, Christophe Decarnin combined several elements which made his womenswear collection so popular, and reinvented them for men. Shrunken blazers? Check! Tattered and torn jeans? Check! Leather bomber jackets? Check! Bullet-hole shirts? You bet! Christophe pulls off all of the reinvented womenswear inspired looks without a touch of femininity, and men are going to love his designs! Check out my favourite looks from the Balmain presentation, after the jump!

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Reviewed: Lanvin Fall 2010 Menswear!

Alber Elbaz’ designs for women at Lanvin are famous for the technical and constructional genius, while retaining the appearance of simplicity and sophistication. It appears Lanvin’s menswear designer Lucas Ossendrijver has learned from Alber’s style, producing his best collection in recent history. From the new proportions of the suit to the bias cutting of the jackets, Lucas’ designs were on trend, yet seemed to go above and beyond anything else we’ve seen. Belted jackets and overcoats constructed new shapes, while fitted jackets and trousers contrasted with rugged boots, backpacks, and military fabrics to create the perfect collision between gentleman and danger man. All of this, of course, was surrounded by Parisian touches, like the bowties, ruffled shirts, and fitted knitwear. Lucas Ossendrijver did what every great designer can do, evolve their brand in a sensible way (and remaining true to core values) while keeping effortlessly on trend. Take a peek at my favourite looks from the collection after the jump!

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Exodus At Givenchy!

Riccardo Tisci's menswear and womenswear collections for Givenchy are always full of raw religious eroticism, but never before has it been so obvious. Exodus was the name of the Fall/Winter 2010-11 menswear collection, which drew heavily upon Catholic symbolism in a very conspicuous way. Models wearing thorn crowns and leather Jesus sandals (for Fall?) were just the beginning of a collection chock-full of religious references. From a “Jesus Is Lord” shirt, to nun’s hoods and underpinnings of bibs, this collection attempts to redefine Monk-chic. Although the vision may be weary, Riccardo proves he still knows how to cut clothing. The slim pants and double-breasted jackets fit beautifully on the model’s bodies; not too tight, and never too loose. When dissected, Tisci’s latest collection will provide customers with redefined classics, but not much else, that is unless that customer wants to dress like a 21st century Jesus. Check out my favourite looks from the collection after the jump!

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