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

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.

TREND UPDATE: shimmer+shine+sparkle... Christmas 2011

If Christmas is anything, it is sparkly. That is why I am so pleased the fashion gods have created a plethora of glittery, gleaming and glamorous outfits for this most shimmery of seasons.

If you dare to wear all out metallic in curious, Christmas card cut-out shapes a la Stella McCartney, I applaud you. Here, coats and jumpers are objects placed onto to models, not haphazedly draped or wrapped. These items of beauty are art, the wearer, the canvas.

Gareth Pugh

Stella McCartney

I cannot encourage this look enough. It is otherworldly, stunning in the most organic sense. Gareth Pugh's morphed robotic metallics are for the more adventurous but are equally divine.

Balmain

And it doesn't have to be gold. Balmain, one of my favourite favourites also worked the metallic, shiny trend in tones of pewter and icy cold ocean blue.
There is no time better than Christmas to try out this trend.

You have permission to sparkle unashamedly.

v

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