Casely-Hayford for John Lewis

 

John Lewis has launched a new designer collaboration teaming  up with Joe Casely-Hayford.  Joe Casely-Hayford has been a designer since the mid 1980's , producing both men and women's shows in Paris, London and Tokyo.

Aswell as being a creative Director in Italy, and selling his ranges in prestigious stores world wide,  since 2005 he has also been the creative director of Gieves and Hawkes (the 200 year old Saville Row house).  He also launched a new brand called Casely-Hayford , a collaboration with his son Charlie Caesly-Hayford in Spring/Summer 2009. The brand philosophy reflects the Casely-Hayford spirit which spans from 'English Heritage to British Anarchy', with an emphasis on 'Slow Fashion' and 'Innovation Through Tradition'.

The exclusive John Lewis  range consisting of thirty pieces, and demonstrates unique British style to its best. Launching in March, this is set to become a huge success, with alot of press coverage on this already. Trench coats, blazers, knitwear  shirts and sateen trousers ranging from £60-£400, all of which are beautiful cut and design.  The Brogues have only 30 being produced, and are numbered, so i predict these will be a sought after purchase.

with new exciting new designer collaborations like this, John Lewis demonstrates that it is  a major player in high street fashion.  A key destination for quality beautiful designs, and im sure theres more to come...

 

“The creative process behind this collection was both novel and challenging. John Lewis has perhaps the broadest customer base I have ever dressed, and so I relished the opportunity to create original, yet wearable clothes with cross generational appeal.” Joe Casely-Hayford


http://www.johnlewis.com/

Alexander McQueen

Lee McQueen died aged 40 years old on Thursday 11th feb morning just a week after his mother passed away. I remember looking at pictures from his fashion shows when i was at school doing an art project, and being amazed at his spectacular performances, his shows were like a dramatic theatre experience.  I also liked that he didn't take the 'fashion bubble' too seriously , but always maintained who he was, and had strong opinions, and a sense of self, his interviews were always really interesting. Heres just a couple of his fashion images.

"Alexander McQueen was a true maverick, a revolutionary who had an extraordinary eye for tailoring."

 

OUTFIT OF THE DAY;

Aubin and Wills Cape £249

Rebecca Taylor Knit jacket £250

Truly Madly Deeply  'addidcted to love' tee £28

Balenciaga skinny navy Jeans £189

Urban outfitters ankle socks £7

Aubin and Wills Boots £349

My friend directed to me a new website Aubin and Wills which is the sister company of Jack Wills.  Preppy casual shops like this are not my usual shopping destination.  However looking at this website, i definitely could be persuaded. I have fallen in love with the chocolate check cape and Brogue boots. There styling shots are the best attempt on the high street in a long time, and should definitely rival Gap in the casual wear front. Have a look at;

http://www.aubinandwills.com/Outfits.aspx

Silver Lining

Heres a peak at Chanels Spring Summer 2010 couture show. Silver highlights are key feature. I love the space feel of the silver shoes and details, and crazy big hair, and im glad that is a change from the usual signature look we often see in Karl Lagerfeld's  shows. The styling and pieces are in keeping with the nature of Chanel couture customers, pure fantasy one-offs.

Burberry Prorsum

Looking at the menswear shows from Milan, i have decided that i just love Burberry Prorsum  menswear. It has been critisized by some for being a but bland in terms of colour pallette-mainly khaki and beiges and navy's. But thats partly why i like it. The detailing and cut are the show stealers, and i found it one of the most inspiring, alongside Etro and Alexandra Mcqueen.

Admire the fur lined massive black boots, and the military overcoats, they remind me of a classic world war film with old school English style.

Androgyny's back!

Brian Molko

David Bowie

Phillipa Brown of Ladyhawke

Patti smith

Limi Feu Ready-to-wear 2010

Limi Feu Ready-to-wear 2010

Limi feu Ready-to-wear 2010

Limi Feu Ready-to-wear 2010

Limi Feu Ready-to-wear 2010

Androgyny is a term derived from the Greek words ανήρ (anér, meaning man) and γυνή (gyné, meaning woman) and refers to the mixing of masculine and feminine characteristics, as in fashion or hermaphroditism.
Androgyny has always been present in fashion and music alike, well especially for mine and my mums generation. From the early attributes in the 1950's acts Elvis and Little Richard. It provokes a spectrum of reactions, most of which I think are positive, and can create a sense of anarchy and inspiration among people.

The emergence of the glam rock scene in new York, with the New York dolls, T-Rex and Roxy music started a whole new look in the music industry which filtered quickly into British acts like The Rolling stones. Influx of androgyny into popular music in the 80's was also displayed in acts the such as Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Michael Jackson and Boy George, and more recently, Crystal Castles, Placebo, Marilyn Manson and Phillipa Brown from Ladyhawke etc etc etc all display various degrees of androgynous looks, most of which aren't that revolutionary or shocking today.

I was recently at a party where pretty much all of the men were more than happy to let me apply black eyeliner on them, and this definitely wasn’t there first time, not sure if they would have worn a feminine blouse or a skirt that may have been a step too far for most of them. But there here is something really alluring and appealing about a man in makeup, David Bowie is a brilliant example of how his alter ego Ziggy Stardust appealed to both men and women in his overtly androgynous persona on stage.

More and more men wear makeup, and skinny girl jeans from topshop and more women by men’s clothing and accessories, be it brogues, oversized jackets, or chunky boots. Makeup brands are even capitalising on this huge market with male targeted campaigns such as Yves saint Laurent, Jean Paul Gaultier, Mac and Clinique, (and yes this is for straight men too). I was in New York in October and a woman who owned a vintage clothing shop was discussing how she just saw the most beautiful person ever, and that they was so strikingly beautiful in an androgynous way, she didn’t know whether this person was male or female. 'Oh I just LOVE that androgyny is back!' she exclaimed, touché!.

Limi Feu's 2010 ready to wear collection is a perfect example of modern androgyny. She also featured male models wearing her women’s wear on the catwalk.
The show featured characteristic men’s details such as large collars, lapels, and pockets.

Band Of Outsiders

Really liking new LA based hipster label Band of Outsiders menswear SS10 collection. Designer Scott Sternberg has produced a range of menswear capturing an addictive mix of nautical with sharp tailoring, welcome to French new wave. Take a look at there website which uses 70's style polaroid images, which i LOVE.

http://band.bandofoutsiders.com/