Out of all the jewelry choices for men, rings
are clearly the toughest sell. Besides the fact that most men acquaint
wearing one with being shackled (as in wedding ring), there’s really
not too many designs out there to satisfy both our need to floss and
our fragile machismo simultaneously. Even J.R. Tolkien had the foresight of man’s reservations with rings when writing Lord of the Rings, and we all now what happened to that piece of ‘precious’ jwerelry at the end. But thank goodness for David Yurman’s ring collection.
He’s figured out a way to make a piece of metal that we can wrap around
our fingers without any abject emasculation. And although the Jasper, African Agate, and Tiger’s Eye stones are thoroughly testosterone friendly, we have our targets set on this bad boy: Exotic Stone Dinosaur Bone ring. Cause, there’s nothing more manly than wearing a hunk of petrified pre-historic lizard marrow, is there?
Walk It Off Text by Kerasia E.
The warm weather is finally here, and that means it's time to match your new summer duds with some spruced up accessories. For the more style oriented man, that better mean holding off on the Vans, and
investing in the brilliant new choices for shoes! If you prefer loafers or moccasins, you'll have plenty of chances to prove your
fashion sense this summer. Everything from colored shoes, slip ons, as well as more classic styles to fit
every look were featured on the runways and have already hit the streets.
Some of our faves:
Isaia's collaboration with Superga gives us the Superga's
popular 2750 model revamped with everything from calfskin, python, crocodile
and ostrich, as well as Isaia's exclusive Aquacashmere fabric. You can even
have a custom pair created to match your fave Isaia duds, made from any Isaia
fabric - get them at Neiman
Marcus and Barneys
New York.
Hush Puppies as were featured on the R. Scott French runway collection this
past New York Fashion Week. Classic but cool...
Paul Smith leather lace-up espadrilles, $320, available at Paul Smith boutique New York, (212) 627-9770, www.paulsmith.co.uk.
If you're on a tighter budget there's plenty of options with loads of style behind their friendlier price tags:
Sperry Top-Sider blue point tri-tone boat shoe, $90, available at sperrytopsider.com
Spring Kicks
Slap on these sneakers this Spring and look your best! Prada and Gucci show off their sporty side with these cool looking kicks.
Image:
Paul Smith does Camo
Just when we thought camo was phasing away, here is something quite unexpected from the English designer Paul Smith: camo trunks. We just came across his latest swim trunks and they are now available in camouflage. There is one longer more technical and another shorter and simple available now in the Paul Smith online store.
Color Me Spring Text by Kerasia El.
Put away the drab colors of winter and the heavily styled coiffures of the biting cold. Starting with Spring and bringing us into Fall, menswear lightens and brightens up! For the most part, the runways and retailers are featuring lighter and more colorful men's looks than in previous seasons. Layering vibrant colors and lightweight fabrics, utilizing neutrals like grey to compliment neon bursts, Spring seem to be the season to take more of a fashion risk.
Hermès, Dsquared, American Apparel
Hermès blouson with ribbing in navy herringbone, $2,375, available at Hermès stores nationwide. Dsquared printed tank, $115, available at Saks Fifth Avenue Stores; American Apparel nylon taffeta slim-fit pant, $32, available at www.americanapparel.net.
Dries Van Noten, spring 2008
Helmut Lang, DKNY, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Gola Helmut Lang raincoat , $530, available at Helmut Lang NYC, DKNY dust linen wide-stripe crewneck sweater, $145, available at dkny.com; Marc by Marc Jacobs neon-yellow stovepipe-leg pant, $290, available at marcjacobs.com; Gola sneakers by Jonathan Saunders, $220, available at Bloomingdale's stores.
Remember- the color trend can be applied for the more tame hearted through accessories picks!
Stylish sandals
Birkenstock, $69.95, available at www.birkenstockusa.com; Miu Miu bright blue and green leather sandals, $345, available at Jeffrey New York; Prada dark brown leather sandals, $350, available at select Prada Boutiques; Marni blue and brown domesticated sheepskin sandal, $390, available at Marni L.A., and Car Shoe sandal, $260, available at Car Shoe, NY.
Nike x Junya Watanabe Vintage Project shoes, $340–$385, available at Comme des Garçons.
Etro, spring 2008
by the way...this is an example of taking a trend overboard instead of combining a key piece into your wardrobe. Comme des Garçons spring 2008
This isn't a splash of color- it's a deluge.
Making WASP Chic COOL Chic....
Text by Kerasia El.
The signature item once again for spring, the old stand by that can dress everything up-- the BLAZER. Most designers looked to the classic Navy take and showed it does not have to be that "classic" anymore. With men’s ready to wear lines improving when it comes to fit, the newly slim navy blazer style can be sourced at a bargain price tag with a designer look. Making its mark on most designer runways, from the more affordable Ralph Lauren to the more high end take by Etro or Dsquared, the navy blazer will be your best investment for Spring/Summer 2008. It's time to dust off that boy's school uniform or invest in a well tailored version that fits your needs-- think a hybrid of a fifties American ad man and an English schoolboy!
Spring 2008 Men's Tommy Hilfiger, Blazer $325
Spring 2008 Men's Michael Kors
Banana Republic Muted Navy three-button blazer $325.00
Urban Outfitters Shruken Twill Blazer $49.99
Envoys of Turkish fashion
Text by Andrea Malavolti
LTB, initials to remember, is an original Turkish brand that
nurtures an ambitious project, now well underway. The protagonists of this
fashion miracle are two young brothers, Fatih and Reyhan Cakoglu, so close in
age they are almost twins, with clearly corresponding, identical ideas on how
to approach business and expand their family run company. But lets hear what
Fatih Cakoglu, on the board of directors, has to say on the matter. “The LTB
brand – says Fatih – was launch by Cak, a pioneer company in the Turkish
Textile sector with factories in Istanbul and Adapázari in 1994 and my sister
and I currently run the business: I deal with the trade side of things whilst
Reyhan is responsible for the creative aspect and through accomplishing
important aims we are now considered as ambassadors of Turkish fashion all over
the globe”. Are they inspired by Turkish or cosmopolitan sources? Fatih replies
without hesitation: “Although we were born in the globalization era we are
still proud to be Turkish. Thanks to studying in the top American schools,
where I specialized in Management and Reyhan in International Market, we are
never short of ideas and stimuli for developing on an international market, and
we are also well prepared to internationally manage a brand which, starting
from denim, has evolved to elaborate a remarkably complete collection and
commercial philosophy”. This attention and inclination towards
internationalism, accompanied by a strong attachment to their traditional
Turkish roots, is confirmed by the talented “twins” shrewd and spot-on decision
to sponsor Mittelmoda, thus endorsing the LTB by Littlebig brand as a leading
fashion business.
Stores around the world without you stepping foot outside
MORE OF FASHION PARIS JUST A CLICK AWAY. www.colette.fr If you cannot visit the bit fashion house, which is the Parisian store colette, then use the e-shop on the web. This is where you will find everything cool like the camera designed by the White Stripes.
I WANT TO HAVE A MUJI HOUSE. www.mujionline.co.uk or muji.com Ikea and Habitat are history now; take a look at the house of muji. This Japanese company of interio zen is really big in France and Germany.
FROM NY OR ANYWHERE IN US WITH STYLE www.urbanoutfitters.com Now you don't have to go to LA, NY, London or Dublin to shop at Urban Outfitters; now you can do it from the comfort of your living room in your robe. Enjoy all the sales and gift certificates.
A SELECTION OF DESIGNERS www.yoox.com A major site where you will find the today's fashion designers stars of the season. One can find everyone from designers like Armani to D&G and difficult ones you can't even find in New York or Spain like Kim Jones.
GADGETS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD www.yoquierounodeesos.com If there is a website where you can find any hallucinating gadget this is the one. This site has the best prices in the market and all the gadgets you will need.
Cindy Crawford Launches Cindy Crawford Home Collection
From a vibrant red living room to an intricately carved dining set, her furniture collections appeal to a variety of lifestyles. Crafted of exotic woods, luxurious leathers and carefully seleted fabrics, Cindy Crawford Home is the perfect marriage of fashion and value. Cindy still has it!
A spacious bath for two blends urbane, old-world elegance with a touch of old Hollywood style.
A classic example of classic 20th-century traditionalism, yet perfectly
in place in a contemporary home, this bath designed by Brian Covington
and Oscar Shamamian of Ferguson & Shamamian Architects, LLP, in New
York combines the warmth of old world style and materials with
up-to-the-minute modern fixtures.
The mood of the room is calm and relaxing, the style sedate yet not
overly formal, evoking a timeless elegance. Stodginess is averted
thanks to modern details such as fiber-optic overhead lighting, which
adds a bit of Hollywood-style glamour to the space.
This bathroom’s expansive size, plenty large enough for two, reflects a
trend that Covington says he’s noticed recently. “What I’ve been
hearing from lots of couples who each have their own bathrooms is that
they end up leaving the doors open so they can talk to each other while
they’re getting ready. I think that feeling has evolved to people
feeling very right about using the same bathroom again. People are very
busy, and [time in the bathroom] is a little more time that people can
have to be together.”
The room expresses a refined yet tactile sensibility. The linear French
boiserie-style oak paneling echoes the clean, pared-down shapes of the
fixtures themselves, including the leather-covered, tapered legs of the
vanity table and the bold geometry of the rectangular tub. The warmth
of the paneling sets off the sleekness of the fixtures. And although
the black-and-cream floor is highly polished, its hues are soft. These
features lend a somewhat grainy character to the room’s backdrop, not
unlike the texture of an old photograph.
While heavily influenced by 30s French decor, with a smidgen of Louis
the XVI thrown in for good measure, the bathroom doesn't rigidly adhere
to one style exclusively. Says Covington, "I think we wanted to kind of
blur the edges a little bit because that seemed to be what the fixtures
were capable of doing — fitting into a lot of different settings."
The bathing features, including a steam-generating shower and whirlpool tub, offer tension-banishing
luxury that’s enhanced by the tub’s elegant black marble surround.
Details like the schoolhouse window shades and framed prints from
Hollywood’s heyday add a touch of whimsy and romance to the room.
“It just feels like a very quiet space that gets people feeling relaxed” says Covington. “And to me, that is graciousness.”
See designer Brian Covington discuss this room. click play below
kenstruzTd
‘I want Men to say and think “I’m a new man who is very fashion conscious and want to look good whether I’m dressed up, in casual clothes or just bumming it out”,’ says Orlando Valladares, creative director of kenstruzTd. Orlando has always been in the fashion industry whether it’s been in publishing or designing for other well-known designers; he is now ready to introduce his brand to the world, kenstruzTd with a company motto “constructed to be trusted”.
We asked him why kenstruzTd. ‘I admire the way Germans design; whether it's graphic design or fashion they do it really well. Plus I love German cars! So when combining the two words constructed and trusted I came up with kenstruzTd, which looks similar but shorter than konstruiert - constructed in German.’ Says Orlando. He doesn’t care that the name is difficult to pronounce because ‘if you want it and like it you will learn it. This is a brand for those who have great taste, not for someone who wears loud and cheesy names. Although there may be some similarities to some designers, you can assure kenstruzTd is done with the utmost grace than your other brands.’
‘The challenge for me right now is to do something that’s wearable, trendy but timeless at the same time’, says Orlando. I myself enjoy wearing classic pieces, which don’t go out of style and last forever. However there are those times when we just have to have that hot item even if it’s only worn for a couple of seasons.’
‘I want to express male sexiness in a different way,’ he says. ‘It’s all about provocation and when the t-shirt line comes out one will see what I’m talking about. I design real clothes,’ Orlando says. ‘These are real clothes that anybody can wear. I want to connect more with somebody that could be a real customer. It is so important to connect.’
Orlando Valladares will be introducing kenstruzTd with a limited edition line of caps being sold exclusively on www.kenstruzTd.com and www.kTdshop.com and says selective distribution will begin Spring 2008.
Loro Piana
Timeless elegance created with select yarns and
fabrics, refined details, meticulous search for quality, and the
perfect combination of beauty and function: this is perhaps the best
way of summarizing the philosophy underlying the design and manufacture
of the Loro Piana products, all of which have been developed for
high-profile consumers who put uncompromising quality before the trends
of the moment.
Want to look your best this winter season in some classic pieces? See below Pinstripe’s recommendations for some Loro Piana outfits.
