Nicola Formichetti

Christopher Makos for Interview Russia

Vogue Hommes Japan

This shot of the Nico Panda by Christopher Makos for interview Russia is just fantastic. Nicola Formichetti is by definition a creative genius. I had my first glimpse of Formichetti in 2008 when Ash Stymes was on the cover over Vogue Hommes Japan. But it wasn't until 2009 when I found out he styled Lady gaga for an awards show with dresses by Gaultier and McQueen. At that point I was hooked. His creative style is beyond amazing. I don't watch award shows unless Lady Gaga is there because I want to see what she is wearing. The same goes for talk shows. If she's there I'm going to be watching. The meat dress, the human embryo, the amazing music videos that are "Bad Romance", "Alejandro", "Telephone", "Marry the night" which had a very interesting clay "Muscle dress" by Leeroy New. It's all wonderful. I felt a since of validation after he put her in Paco Rabanne and only days before I raved about that collection. My favorite shoot to date that Formichetti has styled was a shoot for Supreme shot by the one and only Terry Richardson. So simplistic (kind of) it was just great. I don't condone biting a Birkin bag. I do condone going naked with a skate board in one of the most amazing pair of shoes known to man. The "Lady Vase" 17 inch high heelless heels created by none other than Noritaka Tatehana. The picture of Lady gaga is one from the shoot done by Terry Richardson with the the Noritaka Tatehana heels.
Formichetti has indirectly educated me on a few designers I have never heard of until he put their stuff in the online collection he did for Gilt Groupe.

Supreme by Terry Richardson

Thru Formichetti I have found people such as Kermit Tesoro who like Tatehana creates avant-garde shoes with No heel. I love them. I find them to be innovative. Not futuristic like some people to think. Just because something is new, cool and strange does NOT make it futuristic. I hate that word.I feel as if that word used in fashion is people saying our time isn't good enough for something or that it is to strange for today. In truth people need to stop being afraid of fashion. You don't have to go out like Lady gaga everyday but try something new, different, crazy!













-Austin

A very fashionable holiday.

Givenchy

The holidays are fast approaching and I was asked about buying a gift for a fashionable person. Like most people we know someone fashionable and amazing with great style and a lot of whimsy! Sometimes it can be difficult buying a gift for them. But have no fear because it's actually really easy! You find the most success in rarity. You can go buy someone something fabulous and expensive but if it's easily attainable it's not as special. If you can get something rare it doesn't even have to be expensive that's what makes a great gift! For example you could buy an easy to get Louis Vuitton bag, not very exciting, and it will be a nice gift. Getting something as rare as like an alligator backpack from 'The Row' would blow them away. That doesn't mean anything you get them has to be rare. It's the thought that counts (kind of)! So pay attention if your best friend has been lusting over something every time you go to the mall with them buy them that! Just hope nobody else buys it for them also. A few great pieces would be the Givenchy barking dog shirt or scarf which ever you like. It is the must have T-shirt. It goes along with the idea something rare can be extra special. One of the best gifts you can give even if they already have one is a Alexander McQueen scarf. The McQueen skull has always been a huge hit. It is relatively obtainable but they are just so great nobody would be displeased with one. 

 

-Austin

Versace for H&M

About 3pm Yesterday I started seeing tweets about people lining up for their pick at the collection. I think the collection is great but I don't think it is worth spending the night in the cold streets of NYC. Then the people that are reselling stuff they just bought...
I read that someone bought a leather jacket for a hundred and fifty dollars then turned right around and sold it for eight hundred. That is not okay. I agreed with Tom Ford when he said he Didn't like to see people wearing something exactly the same as he had it on the runway. Now I'm sure some people are just a little over excited that there is finally something Versace that is more affordable. Moderation is key.
I'm not saying you shouldn't buy the collection. Because you totally should it's fantastic! Just don't go crazy. I ordered the silver tank top, leopard green shirt, black and white shirt and the black shorts which are amazing! I'm really excited because some of it is very summery and fun which I love!
If I were going to wear any of it I would go with the leopard shirt, short shorts and a nice cute pair of gladiator sandals. That is going to be just about all I wear in Italy next summer. I am just a little bit disappointed that there aren't any gladiator sandals like the ones from the Versace SS 2012 collection. I haven't been able to find them anywhere so my chances are still pretty slim seeing as they are still only available in one collection.


-Austin

Arm Party! (The Man Repeller)

Leandra Medine is a fabulous blogger who coined the term "Arm party" I have always thought that wearing things wrist accessories could make or break you outfit and it does! Some people can do it amazingly well. Leandra is one of those people. I have never really worn anything on my own wrist other than multicolored friendship bracelets. Their is one bracelet I have wanted for years. The Collier de chien homme by Hermès! I just find it amazing. One day I'll buy the 18 karat gold version that cost 69,000 dollars. Even though it is made of gold the leather and silver one is just as cute! What are you suppose to do in the presence of a bracelet that cost more than most cars? But back to what I was trying to stay before I went on a tangent thru my fairyland. You can look good with bracelets or really bad... Accessories are important. You can (but should never) walk out in public with a Chanel bag and animal bracelets... Never. Things that don't mix: Couture and plastic/rubber.  This next piece by Hermès is on my personal must have list! I love it! My favorite colors are Hermès orange and yellow! So naturally I would love this. The first time I saw this on a man (it's made for women) was in a picture where he had it on one hand another type of bracelet on the other have and a Hermès belt on. Personally I would never wear a 'H' logo on my wrist and waist. To me it screams try hard... If you can really put a great outfit together you shouldn't have to rely on a designer for more than one piece. If you can't shell out anywhere from 500 dollars to 69,000 dollars on bracelets start small. Ralph Lauren has some great leather bracelet that are surprisingly cheap  some of them start at like 49 dollars! They actually have one I want.. It's a leather quad wrap bracelet and it's amazing.


http://www.manrepeller.com/ - Leandras' fabulous blog!

-Austin

Paco Rabanne.

I didn't even watch the Spring/Summer 2012 show until today but when I did I loved it! The whole time I was sitting watching it I was in love with the silvers and blue colors! The 2012 summer show looks like Alexander McQueen, Chanel and Giuseppe Zanotti had a fabulous baby and gave it to Manish Arora! I love studs! As long as they are used in moderation. Then you had the very closely put together almost pin like pieces. It looked like pieces of Raw crystals it was fantastic! However I did not enjoy the over whelming metal pieces. I thought they were a bit much. I respect them as a piece of art but they are so non functioning nobody would ever wear them.
Clearly there is McQueen inspiration here what's so great about it is how well it was carried out! People don't just go out and try to recreate something Alexander McQueen created... They can't. Usually. This piece just exemplifies how some people can get it right!
I love this dress because it is a more bold version of the simple Chanel dress.
Obviously I love the way Chanel does it but sometimes you want to wear a shimmering metallic dress! Adding some complexity, even if it's one outfit, makes you a bit more interesting. Especially if you don't go all out and crazy all the time. The dress on the left is a fantastic representation of my idea of adding a layer of originality and difference! I don't know what all that blue stuff is but I love it! I honestly think it's just something to make a simple dress pop and look amazing.. It does a really good job. If you went to a party in that I'm sure you would be the only one looking that amazing. Now on to the shoes. Normally I don't like shoes that seem to much like another designers shoe. I feel as if there was a bit to much use of inspiration. This collection of shoes did have some resemblance but they look better than just being copied and adding some minor detail and calling it your own. I thought the shoes from this show were fabulous! The whole collection was very robotic and metallic but the shoes were just great! I enjoy mechanical looking shoes. Who wouldn't want a pair of shinny silver snake skin heels like these? I also like the platform on most of them. There is texture with the bumps and spikes. You can see the resemblance to Zanotti but looking at the shoe you know it is Paco Rabanne.







-Austin