Viktor & Rolf Spring RTW 2010 at Paris Fashion Week.

Horsting and Snoeren did a fantastic job on their credit-crunch couture dresses. The marriage of remnants from the masculine tuxedo and layers of (chopped) tulles was not only fabulous in concept but also displayed impeccable execution. The contrast creates an irony of a soft yet defined line-work.

The scenography was designed by their great friend from studio job where Róisín Murphy performed on a pedestal at the back of the runway in a tulle skirt dress that hid her pregnant belly.

Issey Miyake - Sushi Please

Issey Miyake recently debuted the S/S 2010 line during Paris Fashion Week and is now creating a different type of buzz with a print advertising campaign for Pleats Please. The fabrics were used to create pieces of sushi and sashimi.

Genius huh?

Images via gradient magazine

Jean Paul Gaultier Men's Spring 2010 Collection - Paris

Black, White, Orange, and *eh-hem* denim "chestier" (male version of a bustier).
Clearly, Gaultier's Men's Spring 2010 was involved in some kind of gender games, sending down male models in man bras worn underneath jackets, halter tops, striped cloche hats and sun-ray pleated skirts.

Men's Jeans - YSL by Stefano Pilati

Stefano Pilati is brilliant.

YSL - White and grey denim jeans
Fall/winter collection 2009-2010 by Stefano Pilati

Buy them here for € 385.00

Spring Break in Paris: [Photograph]

Catalago in Paris

Via: Lung Lung Thun's Facebook

Valentino's Swansong

~ "Business is ruining fashion"~

Tears rolled as the rumor from last July became reality on wednesday.

White goddess gowns, sherbet-shaded suits, signature red hue dresses, were all the highlights of the swansong catwalk.

Jason Schmidt, NY Times

Celebrities, socialites and fashion editors were all jostling for the first (and last) view of the final collection from Italian grandfather of fashion, Valentino Garavani, after a tremendous 45 years of contribution to the fashion world.


One of the few surviving haute couture labels around these days, Valentino was one I research extensively during my days as a fashion student alongside Paul Poiret and Jean Patou from the 1900s.

His intricate beadings, and flattering cuts for the body-conscious are far and above today's couture lines. The very reason why he is very much sought after on red carpets by stars like Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, and Halle Berry.

The infamous vintage gown that won him free publicity
The Oscar, 2003
Source: www.smh.com.au

Valentino's signature lipstick red from 1960 donned by America's sweetheart, Jennifer Aniston
Premiere of Along Came Polly, February 2004
Source: www.instyle.co.uk

Anne Hathaway, 79th Oscar 2007

Though he is parting in happiness (I would too if I were him), yet, the entire fashion world is in mourning, even his seamstresses from his couture workshop in Rome had to wipe away tears, as decades of close collaboration came to an end.


Valentino may not be around in the design studio anymore, but he is scheduled to hit the big screen in a documentary directed by Vanity Fair's ediotr-at-large Matt Tyrnauer.

Retrospective, Ara Pacis in Rome
Source: NY Times

You can watch a short clip of his finale here

Ciao!

Related Stories:

• Oprah goes to Paris: The stars and Valentino
• Guru Valentino retires in true exuberant fashion
• Valentino's Last Show - Gallery

Men's fashion leather bags

Today a friend of mine ask where's a good place to buy nice men's leather bags.

He did not want the usual staple brands like braun buffel or gucci for that matter.
So with a budget at about $300, he could get a pretty decent men's leather bag at almost any other stores.

When asked, the first label that came to my mind was agnès b. Started as a menswear fashion label, agnès b (and my friends, for the 1,760,215,214,434,296th times, it's pronounced as "anes bay") have done a line of watches with seiko, cosmetics for club des createurs de beaute, and in 1993 a series of leather goods known as "agnès b voyage".

Their bags are often monochrome, simple, yet classic; a case of "typical french". You could easily get a poly-mix duffel bag for SGD$100++ or a leather brief-case for SGD$300++.



From France, to Italy...



Though more known for its highly durable synthetic fabric, mandarina duck also produces a fair share of classic leather bags that isn't too ostentatious for the local corporate scene.

Prices range from $100 - $400 depending on the size and complexity of the bags.
This brand is stocked up in the bag section of Takashimaya. The only concern is, they might have retracted the men's collection since it may not be too popular among the red dot society.

Otherwise, get them online from redapples.





Internationally known for it's high-quality bags, Porter International is my next best pick.

Located on the 3rd level of Wisma Atria, their latest outlet stocks up a variety of durable bags for leisure, work, and travel. You may not find as many leather bags here as compared to their flagship store in Taiwan, but Porter International offers timeless pieces that suit almost every occasions.

Always, if you have extra money to spend, then my all-time favourite men designer brand, Paul Smith, will do the trick.

Trendy, fun, yet stylish,

Only highly-esteemed metrosexuals or ubersexuals with great amount of personality will get my drift.

Source: www.paulsmith.co.uk

Yet, refraining from signature psychedelic stripes isn't too hard for the man. His men's collection of leather bags can take on a serious side pretty well too.

Shop at Ngee Ann City or coggles.




Also, check out style salvage's entry on joey's purse.
He recommended a London-based label ,Doors by Jas M.B. ,which sells pretty neat leather bags. International delivery is available at £40.

Source: www.doorsbyjasmb.com

Or read masqline's men fashion blog heres.