Fendi‘s winter took inspiration from the Nordic aesthetic for their upcoming fall/winter collection. Its aesthetic is reflected from the heavy furs and wool due to the region’s in-climate weather. Chunky knits, parkas and Icelandic fisherman’s coats were showcased in earth tones. The garments were also accentuated with great textures. To soften up the approach of the collection were the wool suit layered with slim topcoats and satin-lapeled tuxedos.
As today is the final day of 2012, it is safe to say WE ALL HAVE SURVIVED!!! Today, a particular word has stuck in my head, reflect. It is safe to say I have grown alot compared to 2011. This year I have been taking my aesthetics about life into another level! From martial arts to styling and parenting, for the first time I truly feel like I have something to offer to the world! Progress is indeed a slow process, but this little dragon will be breathing fire to every end. There are many creative works (also personal content) will be displayed more next year. I challenge everyone to “reflect back from this year” and see what they would honestly want to improve.
Once you have figured out what this is, make IMMEDIATE ACTION. Evolution is the word for 2013. Never let any one tell you can’t do anything. As long as you have the vision and will power, you can move mountains. Doesn’t whether if they are big or small, all it takes is a little push. Find people who share the same vision as you or share the same work ethic, and remember dreams can’t work alone; if so, that would require a miracle.
As we “reflect” for 2012, lets “evolve” for 2013.
“Iron Will”
I was not expecting this at all! Kenneth Cole Collection for 2013 is definitely dope! This is truly a stylish, yet possess functional pieces which could appeal to a contemporary men. What attracted me the most about the collection was the lovely detail from woven stripe knits to the leather tops. The tailoring screams a fine line between American and European. If you are thinking about the Kenneth Cole at your local department, you must be mistaken. He has decided to upgrade ya (style wise and price wise). These designers coming with bus drivers uppercuts with their fashion tactics. Gotta love it!
image source: GQ
Maison Martin Margiela‘s spring/summer collection became an all white party! When it comes to the spring/summer, you can not go wrong with all white everything. The contrast of the “all white” everything were every model were black. I must say I really don’t see this often on the runway; however, I think it’s a good thing. On the other hand, a bit of diversity would be nice. Sure it is very hard for Black models to gain acknowledgment in the industry, but it was too saturated. The correlation between hip hop artists began to mention “Margiela” is a form of thank you. Personally, I don’t know! Race was not an issue I really wanted to discuss about this collection presented. Being a black man, I am only curious what was the angle.. Despite my opinion, Maison Martin Margiela is one of my favorite designers!
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Givenchy has been on a extreme demand through out the fashion world. With Megastars such as Kanye West, Jay Z, A$AP Rocky, and among others truly branded the fashion label into the hip-hop world. Givenchy’s creative director, Riccardo Tisci has decided to continue his noir aesthetic with a slight alteration. Out of the entire spring/summer 2013 collection, the winner was the graphic t shirt. Naturally graphic t shirts are not really the main hype of collections. If you are considering the iconic YSL t-shirt, that’s a classic must have fashion essential. Tisci’s fascination with his Christian roots is breathtaking, nevertheless. Its rich choice of fabrics and color made a statement. I sense the emotion inspired from Baroque art. This particular style of art is my absolute favorite period because of the emotion the images deliver. Overall, this is my favorite Givenchy collection (minus the Salmon skirts.. negative). Tisci has become a great asset to the brand, which this collection will prove to be one of the must haves on the streets next year.
Salvatore Ferragamo‘s 2013 collection has taken a different direction. This collection has featured significant amount of eye-popping colors from rusty orange, aquamarine, and cobalt appeared on piped lapels and color-blocked pockets. These concentrated hues, and even intermixed through the use of sheer V-neck sweaters. I would advise to use only a few colorful pieces and work your wardrobe around those (it doesn’t have to be from this collection). Because this is a colorful collection does not meant it should not be taken seriously. The Ferragamo brand certainly made sure there was no ounce of elegance being diluted with its full volume of color.
Neil Barrett‘s spring/summer 2013 collection is a complete knockout! It is often hard to find a collection you could personally love from start to finish. However, this is not the case when it comes this designer. Unfortunately, his name isn’t one of the first people the laymen would think about when it comes to fashion. In some cases, I believe that is a good thing because it shows more concentration of the designer (not the name). This collection has an array of very beautiful constructed pieces without losing its subtle masculinity edge. The baseball jackets were perhaps my favorite of them all. The versatility can easily be juxtapose from euro to street urban. Overall, the collection has something to offer that contemporary man who admires simplicity or wanna take it another level with a hint of metallics.
Desert Chic – For resort 2013, BCBG Max Azria displayed some color blocking with a hint of Middle Eastern inspiration. Floor-length dresses matched with boxy blazers set the tone for the season in shades of electric blue, canary yellow and vibrant turquoise. Billowing kaftans in long and short lengths offer a sexy twist to the elegant staple. Accessorized with aviator sunglasses and a colorful shoe, the Max Azria woman looks ready for a laid-back outing come resort time.
Riccardo Tisci and Givenchy will be advancing its menswear collection for Resort 2013. Taking pointers from the fall runway collection, the preview of the Resort 2013 range draws its inspiration from similar military tenants and elements. Although this is incredibly noticeable to be Tisci’s work, the Resort 2013 line looks like something which has been designed from the previous collections. I would honestly think this collection is a slight remix of “watch the throne” or whatnot. The collection is not bad if its suppose to define the Givenchy menswear, so be it. Based on the arrangement, I was expecting a different direction.
Swedish retail giant H&M has confirmed that it’s planning to open a new brand in 2013.
While the company wouldn’t characterize exactly what price range the chain will occupy, CEO Karl-Johan Persson said in a press release that the new chain is part of a plan to secure H&M’s future as a major player in retail.
“We have many different projects in progress and already next year we will be launching a completely new store chain,” Persson said. “Like Cos, which today is very successful with good profitability, the new chain of stores will be independent and complement the other offerings from the group. We have great faith in this new brand and we see considerable potential for further initiatives.”
Cos is the highest priced and most fashion-oriented of the many brands H&M owns and operates, and if that’s the brand that compares best with the new business, it’s possible that next year will see the launch of the rumored luxury line.
Rumblings of an H&M-backed luxury line started over the weekend after the Swedish financial newspaper Dagens Industri reported that the company would venture into high-fashion territory. Representatives for H&M did not respond to requests for more information about the new line by the time of this post.
>> Update: An H&M spokeswoman told Fashionologie that the new brand will cost more than H&M, but is not being classified as a luxury label. “A new store chain will be launched in 2013 under a separate brand with a higher price point,” she said. “It will not be a luxury brand, but it will be a retail chain that will follow the same ambition as H&M, to offer our customers the best price for a comparable item.”
