Take a look around

Monday, September 26

On my list - Mark McNairy for Tres Bien Shop

Mark McNairy is a man I've been paying very close attention to. His recently revealed New Amsterdam apparel collection really had me excited because it showed a real forward thinker, someone not tethered by trend. I paid particular attention to his ability to mix patterns yet at the same time being able to make an outfit look classic and understated.

I've really wanted to own a pair of his footwear because that's what really got him his name and from what I've heard and read they are the pinnacle of quality. This particular pair have been made in conjunction with Swedish boutique Tres Bien Shop and though they are out of the realm of possibility for me now but I'm willing to wait and save to own these.


Mark McNairy for TBS Navy derby, 100% Suede leather, Goodyear welted natural crepe sole
Crafted in England

Tuesday, September 20

Fit And Flare


The BFC Fashion Forward winning duo Peter Pilotto's Spring/Summer 12' collection was simply mesmerising. 
As your immediate attention was brought to the fantastically bold prints you couldn't help but focus on the tailoring and shaping details. I felt a very architectural flare running throughout within the asymmetric cuts and shapes, although femininity was not lost. The classic pencil silhouettes and nipped in waists whispered back to trends of the 40's although, modernism was definitely key with the use of print and open work  fabrics and embroidery. I would say this collection had a strong tribal , exotic edge with a daring dash of surrealism. ( referring to shadows and silhouettes of indigenous flowers and white waves ). 
The duo certainly tied this collection in neatly with the earlier Pre-Spring collection. However the flower power prints, kaleidoscope graphic digital use and sexy open work combination made it for me. 




Ultimately the drama the flounced flared skirts and dresses bring shouted volumes. 
These designers know what their women need!
  “She is beyond pure classification of age or style, just like the clothes themselves.” 
 -  Peter Pilotto. 

x

Monday, September 19

Saturday, September 17

LFW Pre-Party

Here's a couple peeks inside the Pre-party at London's Mayfair hotel on Wednesday 14th September.





Ohhh the hotness

Jeffrey Campbell whose shoes make me go oooooo. The Fall/Winter 2011 lookbook (specifically for Downtown girls) captures the effortless style of the fashion forward. Rightly so, the editor remarks "she'll  no doubt be influencing the fashion landscape for seasons to come!". "She" of course is the Downtown girl, the girl influenced by everything and anything around her. She's unapologetic, fierce and legendary. 

The metallic collection of scooped ankle cowboy boots scream innovation alongside the platformed Creepers. This brand knows how to roll with a trend. It was obvious that the traditional brothel creepers weren't just any old fashion-fad , they are here to stay. Gucci certainly thought so. Their Lana Fab Platforms in red Tartan have me feeling the Christmas cheer already. What really gets me about this brand, is their consistent style and quality. Family owned and small they've quickly made their name known in the industry, I think they are definitely gonna be around for another 10 years. Here's hoping. Oooooh the hotness.




Download the lookbook at jeffreycampbellshoes.com 

Monday, September 12

Sunday, September 11

On my list - Fall Essentials

Autumn is fast approaching. I can already feel the drop in temperature and have noticed it getting darker. A change of season means of a few things - school will be starting soon and it's time for a new wardrobe or at least a rejig of what you already have.

I'm definitely in the market for some new pieces to add especially items that I can layer and that I can wear in snow, rain whatever this fall winter throws at me. I can say in all honesty that I'm definitely a layering virgin, not to say I've never tried but I don't think that I've ever succeeded.

Footwear
Red Wing Style No. 875 6 inch boot
I've been eyeing up this pair of Red Wing boots specifically the 875 style for a little over a year now but I can never get enough together to buy a pair (they run at £199+). I look at these shoes as an investment, when I finally get around to buying them I'll just close my eyes and hand over my debit card because I know I'll have these for a long time coming. At times I've worn shoes that've hurt my feet after walking in them for a while but when I tried these on in Office for the first time I made a mental note that they were probably the most comfortable boots I'd ever worn. They're made with a crepe sole which is really light and can give me the height boost and support I desperately need. The colour also helps because it can practically go with everything. Bottom line is having these will mean dry, comfortable and warm feet for a number of cold seasons to come.

Bottoms

I learnt about Lands' End a while ago, an established brand that while affordable provides excellent quality. I've been looking over their wares and found a pair of slim fit cords in merlot (a purple-y red colour). These would be a great addition to any wardrobe due to the fact they're in a colour that people may avoid because it may be a bit 'loud' and they look roomy enough to wear thermals underneath should the weather be a bit nippy

Lands' End Canvas slim fit cords in merlot

In desperation I ventured into Topman late last year (more on why it was an act of desperation in a later post) to acquire a pair of black jeans because I had none and back then my denim collection was small. I still have them to this day but after a mishap bleach ended up getting on them, near the hem leaving an orange spot. I have been searching for a pair of quality black denim jeans but I've learnt that this can be a rarity seeing as most dye indigo jeans over and over which means that when/if they get washed they will fade to blue. So I began a long and fraught search to find black denim and I found them in the form of these A.P.C. Petit Standard jeans. They're constructed using unwashed selvedge black denim meaning that over the lifetime of you wearing them they form to your body and crease along your creases and really become your own. Should you need to wash them they won't fade as fast as a pair you might buy from somewhere like H&M. They're definitely on my wishlist for FW because I know that I'll have them for a while and becoming a student it'd mean worrying less about possibly having to acquire a new pair of jeans because my cheap ass skimped and they get torn or something.

1. A.P.C. Petit standard jeans black 
2. A.P.C. New cure raw indigo
Warm stuff

This is bad but I've never actively sought knitwear or anything along those lines, coats have always been my best friend. As time has gone on I've realised that I really need to invest in stuff I can layer because wearing a t-shirt under a coat isn't always the best look.

I've found this as a cheap option to get me started. It's a wool blend Uniqlo shawl collar cardigan

Uniqlo heavy gauge shawl collar cardigan (brown)

There's a YMC crew neck with leather patches that has caught my eye but that price woah I'd have to wait until sale time. I'd love a workshirt and some more flannel to further warm my body.

Outerwear
+J is in it's final collection and there's a particular coat I'm swooning over. Additionally Barbour has some great jackets, as we know and I'm drawn to one that's in the new Steve McQueen collection.

Uniqlo +J wool pea coat

Barbour x Steve McQueen Mulholland Quilted Jacket


Other bits and bobs

I recently bought 15 (yes fifteen, one five) pairs of socks 5 pairs each of thick black and white socks and 5 white sports socks. I really want some coloured socks which I've decided are the Uniqlo ones I mentioned in my Colour post and perhaps some of these if I can get a hold of my Red Wings.

Beams+ Japanese marl socks
I hope you like my Fall Essentials as much as I'm gonna enjoy them when I get a hold of them.

Saturday, September 10

New York Fashion Week 2011


New York Fashion Week 2011 is in full swing and there have been many great and strong showings this year from a number of designers. I'll be working to look at each collection individually, looking at them critically as well as updated the tumblr with images for you all to look at.


One day OMAS will be at Fashion Week bringing first hand experiences and content. Just gotta work harder, get out there.

On my list - Martine Rose x CAT boots

These boots are awesome, something very different. I like the mix of textiles and the contrast of colours. The strap and the fastening are great details.

A closer look: leather toe caps, grey felt

Friday, September 9

Colour Part 1

I've been mulling over the contents of my wardrobe for a while now paying particular attention to colour. I've always been a sucker for simplicity in the spectrum of colours in my wardrobe, I'm drawn to blues, blacks and whites. These can form the foundation to build an outfit around but in my case they'd be my outfit. I can count about 5 black tees, a mix of plain and ones with graphics (the latter I've been meaning to get rid of), 6 white tees plus 2 plain white shirts, these are a mix of v and crew necks, long and short sleeve.



Wednesday, September 7

Pointer



Pointer bag made in conjunction with Sandstorm who work with National Geographic so they feature Kenyan leather and are manufactured outside of Africa in Portugal.




At the Jacket Required trade show early last month Pointer showed their latest offering.

Gareth Skewis, one of the founders of Pointer Footwear, has decided to tier the brand into three different lines ranging from the highest price point called Rivington to a more widely accessible price point, they've done this in order the branch into new markets, working with different designs, price points and manufacturing facilities hoping to, in his words "become a proper footwear brand".

Pointer's take on dress shoes is represented, vibram soled desert boots and vulcanised shoes also (manufactured in China).

I am excited to see the collection in full and perhaps own something Pointer made myself.

Tuesday, September 6

Beams FW11 Lookbook





More Vanishing Elephant




Vanishing Elephant SS12 preview @ Jacket Required



Vanishing Elephant is a brand I've been watching for a few seasons now. I was initially drawn to it due to it's eye catching prints, something I hadn't seen much of apart from some collections at Liberty. What excited me even more was the fact that this was an Australian brand a place I feel that is under represented in terms of great menswear.

I for one am excited to see what this innovative brand can do to further differentiated itself in what's becoming a very saturated market.


Elephant embroidered shorts and trousers 
are featured in this forward thinking collection






Nubuck oxfords


A great example of what Vanishing Elephant is great at - bold and unique prints


Cap-toe woven oxford in great shades of brown


Nubuck ankle boots