My education into menswear continues... The Prada Man aka the stylish über nerd

Always one to offer an alternative aesthetic, Prada, has once more delivered an odd form of brilliance with its recent NY menswear collection for autumn/winter 2013/14. 

Muiccia's focus on 'perfection' for this collection was certainly evident in individual pieces; jumpers, jackets, trousers, were excellent renditions of staple menswear items but viewed all together and the look is evocative of a mathematician in his fifties on Redbull. Smart, sure, but clumsy. Oh and I'm pretty sure the fifth model down the catwalk was Mr Gilbert from my old secondary school.

In persuit of mathematical perfection Prada autumn/winter 2013/14

It would be wrong to call the Prada aesthetic weird. Charmingly odd perhaps. Whatever you’d like to call it, Prada certainly has a knack at capturing the audience’s interest, albeit in a 'I can't quite help but look' kind of way. 

Don't get me wrong, I liked parts of the collection. The above-ankle pleated to perfection trousers, the slightly iridescent black/blue wool jackets. 

I also loved how Muiccia used typically punchy punk colours and patterns (blood red, blue and yellow checks) and managed to make them look so, well, uncool; which of course, unequivocally and by its very definition makes it cool. 

Thanks Prada, for making me appreciate the unexpected. 

And may the über nerd live long and prosper. 

v

How the boys do.

So in the process of thinking of another blog post I found myself asking my other half what I should write about. Of course, the inevitable... "Write about me." Said he.

Of course, I laughed off the proposal. Not that I wouldn't love to tell you all about my beloved; his funny little ways and lovable nature, but that's not really the purpose or intention of this blog. "Hmmmm, I don't really write about men's fashion." I replied, dotingly.

Which got me thinking. Why don't I write about men's fashion? Is it because I'm a woman? Is it because it's just not as interesting as women's fashion? Am I close-minded? Never.

Women's fashion is itself never-ending, an engulfing black hole of astounding creation; do I have time for men's fashion? My brain constantly whirs with fashion's transient images and starry names. Isn't the draw of women's fashion already too much to fathom? 
 
The answer to that is yes. But, that said, it is in my very nature to find out more; to immerse myself in new wonders of creativity and style.

So, I took delve into a world of testosterone, quiffs and chiselled bone structures. And what with the men's collections in London taking place just last week, what an apt time to embark on such an astute and exciting learning curve.

I started with the London Collections: Men. Autumn/Winter 7th to 9th January 2013. Here's a little of what I found, stay tuned for more:

I thought I'd start with familiar territory (you know, because new things can be scary, so best to stick with what you know) and perused Christopher Kane's A/W offering for our friends with extra body parts.

Putting a bloke in a skinny jean or aristocratic smoking slipper can be problematic... a dash too girly, or a tad too gaudy. However, Mr Kane has totally rebuffed any notion of over-feminising the collection with gothic colours of sewer grey and bat black, not to mention the use of classically scary Frankenstein and Dracula amid animalistic prints.

Nicely done too, because the collection, as Christopher Kane manages so wonderfully with women’s clothing, is wearable. A little geeky, dark and gothic perhaps, but casual and toned down enough to transfer to the high street. Topman will be jam-packed with literary horror references come Autumn 2013 without question.

Scary monsters at Christopher Kane London Mens Collection AW 13/14

And me, I'll be secretly hoping the other half buys his very own snake-skin clutch and monster-print hoody, so I can borrow them. And wear black lipstick. And totally rock.


And if like me, you need to know more about how the other half dress, watch this video from the London Collections. Interesting and David Gandy makes a cameo. Nuff said.

http://www.londoncollections.co.uk/men
v

Milan Fashion Week - day 3

I'm off to Milan in two months time for 3-months of maxed-up stress for my MA final project. Two months late for Milan fashion week. 

Bummer.

However, I am enjoying perusing from afar this week's offerings. 

Blumarine. Thank you. Autumn/winter 2012/13 and there shall be colour. The Italian label's collection for the solemn winter months began with a cascade of bright fluffy coats over virginal white trousers and stark polo necks.

We as a nation, nay, as lovers of fashion, seem only too keen to shun colour as soon as the first leaves begin to fall. This is silly. 

Now who knows how I'm to feel when summer has ended and the winter months start to draw in. But I can bet I shall be thankful for the small glimmer of sugar-coated, e-number filled colours Bluemarine have just shown as part of their autumn/winter collection 2012/13.

Screw black. Forget khaki, grey and brown. If it would be hideous as an interior paint choice, I'm wearing it.

Oh and don't forget about trusty old metallics. They're still around in a big way it seems for next autumn/winter. Blumarine, Anya Hindmarch, Maria Grachvogel, Matthew Williamson have all shown metallics during the recent big four fws.

So, zesty colour for unzesty autumn and winter... yep, I'm with the Italians on this one.

ACCESSORIES UPDATE: Chokers

If like me, chokers throw up images of the gothic side of the populous, it's time to think again.

Not that I have anything against gothic dressers might I say. There is certainly something very bracing and courageous about wearing whatever the heck one darn well likes and being proud of it.

Anyhow, I digress. Chokers.

Bottega Veneta

Valentino

Valentino

Undercover at FarFetch.com

The chokers that have been gracing the slender necks of Valentino and Bottega Veneta models are softer and more ethereal than the slick tight black velvet versions we may associate with the accessory of the early nineties.

Beading, delicate, feather-light fabrics and muted tones make chokers a very modern and ultra feminine alternative to necklaces, and the accessory of this Autumn/Winter.

v

TREND UPDATE: Ladylike

I'm writing this as riots continue to mark heavily on the UK's city communities. The rampaging fires, smashed-in shop windows and countless acts of violence are a far-cry from the escapism of fashion and even more far removed from the ladylike trend I wish to write about. Love and peace to the families, business owners and communities affected by the senseless rioting in the capital and elsewhere.

Onto brighter things, I mentioned in my last tweet the summer Ladylike trend that began in the spring/early summer months. I'm hoping the trend for elegant style and grace manages to eek it out a little longer...

Ever since the handsome Prince William married his belle Catherine Middleton in April this year, an air of ladylike elegance has perfumed the summer air in all its sweetness and gentility. And about time too I say.

What with the Saturday’s Royal wedding between Zara Philips and Mike Tindall, and numerous other weddings and romantic garden parties either in the public eye or for friends and family, dressing like a lady would has certainly been soup de jour.

Pretty florals, ivory lace and elegant cuts of summer dresses – skimming the silhouette and hemlines just above the knee and no more – have proved perfectly apt for the current feeling of political and financial austerity as well as the renewed interest in all things Royal.

Dolce & Gabbana

  

And, as the austerity climate continues, calf-length or mid-length skirts and dresses will still be the order of the day.  Loose-pleated midi skirts or a new shape of pencil skirts worn with soft silk blouses in neutral, warm shades will continue with the sense of Ladylike demure that has wonderfully filled the summer wedding parties and formal occasions of the past few months. Here's to femininity, grace and style.