We all know about Schiaparelli's revival and if we don't why the hell not?
I know I've mentioned it and since Marco Zanini becoming creative director I've been waiting in anticipation of what he'll create and the direction of the brand. Recently massively exciting news has come to light about Schiaparelli!
Schiaparelli are set to show during Couture Fashion Week!!
Schiaparelli with Marco Zanini have been elected as a guest member of the Cambre Syndicale, the S/S 2014 schedule is set for January 20th to January 23rd.
What can we expect from Schiaparelli?
Will Zanini intend to continue where Lacroix left Schiaparelli or will he take the brand in a completely different direction? I can't wait to see what happens and where we end up with Schiaparelli! Sadly we're now just going to have to wait until January.
We think of models, striking and beautiful people of a level of 'perfection' to most or a strange beauty perhaps but they're there and we all know that it's almost like another world. Obviously sending out these messages also delivers a completely misconstrued version of health and a healthy body.
I don't really want to post about how models affect our visions of ourselves, more so about how society as a whole enforces such strict rules and guidelines of what's considered normal or beautiful especially when anything that's not to the norm is completely disregarded. Reading this Guardian post //here// by Casey Legler made me considered a real issue here, why do we feel we need to pursue anything different with such conviction?
Casey Legler being a woman cast onto Ford's male model board, I love as an idea and not even so as a gender issue I just think it really works the whole idea that she as a woman can model just as well as a guy. I think she's brilliant! It works and obviously men have done the same and modelled for women's clothing too.
Rather than saying it's an issue to gender I see it as more of an identity issue, love the idea or hate it Casey Legler works perfectly for male modelling and I see that as more so a part of her identity. Another example of this is Carmen Carrera famously known from her participation on RuPaul's Drag Race who then transitioned into a woman, she walked in the Marco Marco runway show below alongside other drag professionals.
Since this video was released online I also noticed a petition on change.org //here// called "@VictoriasSectret: Make Carmen Carrera the first trans VS model", if you watch the above video you see Carmen Carrera walking, amazingly I might add. My problem here is again people don't seem happy about it or claim it's a gender issue however IF Carmen Carrera was biologically born a woman would we be having this discussion? Probably not.
All you need to do is take one look at both Carmen and Casey to realise they're good at what they do, forgetting gender it's irrelevent. So why the issue? Casey in her article says "There is a historical tradition you should know about and it is certainly not about gender. It is about being fierce." I mean does much more need to be said, the fashion industry should be there to break conventions and help socially.
It should be here to educate people and promote self love and individuality, by people having a problem with either of these two people you're sending out the complete opposite message. I LOVE the look of them both, they're both fierce and definitely sources of inspiration and role models proving difference isn't a hinderance. Look at campaigns such as All Walks, promoting equality in fashion we're in the 21st century here yet still something needs to change.
Identity.
It's all we strive for and aim to achieve and personally fashion should see that they're there to help guide them, fashion's soul focus shouldn't lie in trends. It should be in belonging, finding yourself and helping you find others who feel the same just as you would music.
I think both of them are wonderful models and by doing what they're doing they break social norms but I respect them for promoting inner beauty and self love, something fashion could do with learning from.
So something I've seen a huge amont of press talk about is Diesel and it's reboot which is being headed up by none other than Nicola Formichetti! Formichetti previous head of Mugler has taken the reigns at Diesel, honest opinion here I think it's going really well.
Talking about his new work at Diesel Formichetti has made comments about his work "Before Diesel, people used to tell me to turn down the volume...but Renzo always tells me to crazier. No one's ever said that to me before." So clearly things are going well at Diesel and everythings encouraged but I something about their work seems to shine and highlight how much Formichetti is enjoying the position.
With the new Diesel tribute now in stores, Formichetti is definitely delivering what I'd expect to see! FINALLY SOMEONE GETTING IT RIGHT! Diesel is being given new life, it's bold and different whilst still upholding everything they stand for. If I could I'd have to shake Formichetti's hand I think what he's done here is brillaint, denim we all know is a staple and he's still managed to give it a fresh feel.
Using the Diesel archives in his search for inspiration, I think it's brilliant also bringing names like Brooke Candy and Mykki Blanco into the mix is of course going to help. I love them and why wouldn't you, they're part of something new bringing brilliant appeal and change. Honestly I think Diesel Tribute works because it's fresh and real, it's not a mimic or a fake and I love that!
Asides from me I want to see what other people think, the majority of people's reviews/comments seem very possitive. People like where he's heading with Diesel and I can definitely see why, perhaps his move to Diesel from Mugler was really for the best? Let me know your thoughts and opinions in comments!
If you haven't heard yet there's a brilliant collection being released soon! Coming November 21st is something i'm super excited for, after their 2010 collab with Topshop the eccentric and wonderful Meadham Kirchhoff are releasing another collab "The Cherries". After their various magical different shows "The Cherries" will probably be a dream for any girl who loves the fabulous duo!
Meadham Kirchhoff's S/S 2014 Collection
I have to say how much I love Meadham Kirchhoff I think they always have such an interesting collectino with a brilliant theme running through out. I can't wait to see where they take their new Topshop collaboration which is apparently going to consist of a massive 60 pieces! I think their style's matured and grown a lot since 2010 so it'll be fascinating to see where they take this venture. All I can say is I hope it's everything we love from Meadham Kirchhoff bright and bold whilst still feeling romantic and stylish!
A few images of Meadham's 2010 Topshop Collaboration
For anyone who loves a designer highstreet mix then this is something you need to have in your wardrobe! I'm definitely excited to see what they bring this time around and hopefully they have something everyone can hope for especially just before Christmas! I think it'll sell really well though, especially seeing how anyone with a keen eye for fashion seem to love Meadham Kirchhoff.
NEWGEN MEN sponsered by Topman have released the names of the three menswear designers who they're going to support this season:
// Common // Kit Neale // Diego Vanassibara //
Ahead of the upcoming LC:M A/W 14 in January the BFC have revealed these names, these brands will already join the brilliant designers already supported by NEWGEN. The current list reading as so: Agi & Sam, Astrid Andersen, Lee Roach, Martine Rose, Matthew Miller, Nasir Mazhar and Shaun Samson.
The brilliance of NEWGEN is the fact it's helping London fashion and Menswear blossom, which in my opinion is very important. Being a man I know where menswear lacks and by supporting these brands it's going to help menswear become something more than just clothes for men, it's exciting to see.
Personally I can't wait to see what's going to happen from these brands, especially Kit Neale as he's someone who's collections I love and his style stands out really strongly. I definitely think he's working his way into my heart and becoming one of my favourite designers.
I'm definitely excited to see what everyone presents next LC:M, NEWGEN are definitely collection the best of menswear and intend to nuture something really special. I can't wait to watch NEWGEN grow and all these designers growing as well.
Definitely something to watch for anyone interested in London's menswear!
As October draws to a close we move into November which seems to be the most boring month ever stuck between Halloween and Christmas it leaves us all stressed, bored and uninterested. Thankfully November brings the rise of Movember which if you don't know what it is where have you been hiding?
We all love good facial hair and I guess Movember whilst serving a good cause, raising awareness just leaves us with some real beauties to look at (not that we need an excuse). Whilst growing facial hair the real purpose of raising money and awares for prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health. Last year they raised an amazing £92 million!
Check out their website for more information //here// which I have to say is looking amazing! Props to whoever designed it!
Hopefully through out the month i'll be able to bring you guys lots of great images of brilliant facial hair from all over London! Movember is such a great idea and especially being a guy it really reflects the importance of getting men to talk about health, I know myself guys aren't great about talking about these issues.
I'll deffinitely be checking up on Movember and finding some of my favourite people and I'll be able to show them to all of you! Also if you know any people who's facial hair is impressive let me know too!
News spreads like wild fire in today's society and sadly recently the news we've been given is that of the death of Velvet Underground icon Lou Reed last week. Lou Reed famous for his music we've definitely lost an icon, although I guess one of the greastest things is how many people I've seen pay their respects to him. It really shows how many people his music reached, influenced and inspired.
Looking back at Lou Reed, you've got a guy who can be linked to so other many great names such as Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgewick, Candy Darling and the whole of the factory crowd. I think it'd be hard to come from such a crowd and not have a reputation, with so much creativity flowing from all the characters involved.
The infamous factory crowd although a place are something I love the idea of, it's a place a time and a feeling. The whole movement of it all. Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground have made some of the most famous music of all time even allowing for the undertones and second meanings in his music. Song's like I'm Waiting For my Man and Perfect Day having all the expected rock connotations of drugs yet I've also seen his music described as "the exact opposite of what he was expected to do" and "songs of real tenderness".
Obviously music art fashion and culture all go hand in hand and I think this is why it's important to remember Lou, look back on his life and reflect on that. What I love is how this picture above is just another example of evidence and proof of how his work touched the hearts and minds of people everywhere and not only of his time. Clare Barrow designed this jacket as it says "a personal shrine to her hero" obviously a young desinger reflecting her respect. Proving how far his reach stretches we've really lost a very special musician and inspiration.
Let's hope people continue to be inspired by him and his music even after his death.
