Design Major: CDG Skate Decks

-Another step in the seemingly more popular trend of approaching skateboarding as an element worthy of premium design, Comme des Garçons has released these three skate decks.
-The iconic Japanese label's decks are being released in accordance with the opening of CDG's L.A. Guerilla store, Thursday Jul 10.

source: slamxhype more

Design Major: Follow-up KVA Kicks

-Fittingly, right after our review of the KVA Spring 09 show, in which I mentioned his use of sneakers, Hypebeast informs us of the official KVA sneaker release. Like I said in my earlier post, the fact he's doing innovative sneakers really illustrates his age against the more storied designers. I'm surprised by how divergent the forms he's using are, most designer labels make a white sneaker and throw a logo on it and charge $300 for them .
-However, I don't know if I'd choose these over some Common Projects if I was planning on dropping $300 on designer sneaks.


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Design Major: Paris Spring 09 Kris Van Assche

-I've already mentioned how KVA is one of my favorite designers, and how we pretty much predicted his miraculous ascent, but this show was a bit of a disappointment. Don't get me wrong, it is a solid and unmistakably KVA offering, I just expected a bit more in the way of progression. It's definitely interesting to note the contrasts between KVA's own line and his work for Dior Homme. The latter tending to be a much more Euro-centric, slim silhouetted, and dreary in it's aesthetics. Despite a bit of disappointment, I've selected a few things that kept me hopeful for future collections from KVA.
-As always, photos and analysis of our favorite looks after the jump.


-The sheen and the vest-trouser with no jacket combo is pretty stock KVA, but the rolled pants, belt, and the way the vest is buttoned are all nice accents. I also really like that KVA uses sneakers in his shows, it's a real sign of his youth among so many well-established designers.


-Again, a classic shirt/trouser combo amped up with a colored belt, rolled pant legs and sneakers.

-Unusual belting like I've mentioned in almost every review this year. I'm still undecided about it. I'd hate to see a repeat of the ties as belts trend.

-I really love the athletic pants cut as a trouser, these could be worked into so many interesting outfits, this one is a little lackluster but it lets us do the imagining.

Overall, I'm looking for more in the future and not losing faith in one of the best young designers around today, even though this and the Dior Homme show didn't excite me much.

All photos by Marcio Madeira via men.style.com















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Design Major: Paris Spring 09 Jean Paul Gaultier

-When I think of Jean Paul Gaultier, I think of Christian Bale (as Patrick Bateman) stuffing a body into the trunk of a taxi. When a passerby recognizes Bateman and begins talking to him, the audience wonders how Bateman will explain his actions. Our fears are relived when the acquaintance asks where Bateman purchased the immense piece of luggage in which he has hid the body. "Jean Paul Gaultier," Bateman replies. I also am reminded of the line that mentions JPG in Mickey Avalon's "So Rich, So Pretty." Neither of these associations do credit to the iconic designer, but you can't fight intertextuality. Anyway, despite the terrible Brett Micheals reminiscent hats in this show, JPG gives us a western inspired rock collection.
-You know the drill, photos and analysis of our favorite looks after the jump.


-Like I said in the intro, the hats were terrible, but lets not let that distract us. Like many of the other shows, this look has what seems to be more than one belt, but it doesn't stand out. The belt, and the necklace over the tie, are two little accents that make an otherwise boring look unique.

-Cut the head off this look and its brilliant. The way the vest is scrunched and the sleeves on the large patterned shirt are rolled up, with the chain, it's a very solid look without trying to do too much. I would do the top half with jeans, these pants aren't really something I'd rock. Kurt Caywood would murder this outfit.

-In looking at these photos again, I'm starting to realize that I don't like any of the whole looks, but I love little pieces from each. Mainly the accessories like the western inspired neckerchiefs and jewelry.

-I'm always looking for way to rock a tie in an innovative way (anything besides straight up shirt and tie). I put a shirt/tie combo under a henley or a T-shirt, and here is another adaptation of the same concept.

-Lose the jacket and the huge cuffs and you've got genius somewhere in there. Like I said above, little pieces, like a well-fitted vest and neckerchief standout, but the overall production was a bit amiss.

all photos by Alessandro Lucioni via men.style.com

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Art School: Fresh to Death

If you are in Seattle at all this summer, we highly recommend you check out Dario Robleto's Alloy of Love exhibit at the Frye Art Museum. Robleto gathers inspiration from DJ culture, using records and other everyday objects to create morbid oddities such as this mourning dress, which is made out of love letters from dead soldiers and dust from every bone in the human body. The Stranger calls Alloy of Love "a pop-culture-and-death-obsessed mindblower", and when else are you going to see a mixtape made of human bones? The show is free, and runs through September 1st. more

PoliSci: The Battle of Los Angeles

-Surely by now you have seen evidence of American Apparel's Legalize LA campaign, as the slogan has been emblazoned on billboards and shirts for the past few months. The effort to reform immigration laws has been fronted by AA founder Dov Charney, who happens to be an immigrant himself. The company's anti-sweatshop stance and logoless clothing have turned it into a cultural phenomenon, and now AA's trendsetting power is being used to support what is, in our opinion, a very worthy cause.
-The shirts are free with any purchase (at most locations), and you can learn more about immigration reform at the American Apparel website.

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Design Major: Paris Spring 09 Moschino

-Moschino hasn't really been on my radar but this was easily one of my favorite shows. What the set really gave me was a sense that masculinity need not be lost in Spring, even among the bright colors and light fabrics. If you've got confidence in your fit and assembly, heed need not be given to naysayers.
-By now you should know, photos and analysis of our favorite looks after the jump.


-Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm really digging the intensely patterned trousers that were everywhere this fashion week. I'm pretty sure they'll be rare enough with American men that I'll standout when I rock some. Also, this show, like almost every single men's show, had hats. Hats are my thing, it's whatevs.

-I love the green here (and in the main post pic). I've never had a lot of green in my wardrobe (aside from my vintage military jackets), I'll have to look into Spring greens next year. The shoes are shmeh here, but cardis and shorts of a correct length are always a good combo for Spring.

-I really like the similarities and differences between the photo about and below this text. Both are a take on a sort of 50s 60s Americana meets Brit formal. Both these looks seem very Fred Perry to me. It's amazing how a detail like the white lining on the jacket in the photo above can change the entire feel. The photo below is a more punk rock take on the same thing. I'd probably rock either the vest or that pants, but not together. The flower pin is a great accessory.


-I've been kind of avoiding suits in all these reviews, but this is one I really like. The pink check is just a subtle enough flair. Again, I really like the lapel pin.

-I like this one because I am often drawn to looks where attitude and fit overpowers the femininity of the clothes, kind of like saying "Yeah, these are flowers, fuck yourself."

This show really established Moschino as one of my favorite labels, I'll definitely be taking note of what they do in the future.


All photos by Marcio Madeira via men.style.com

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Design Major: Paris Spring 09 Paul Smith

-Paul Smith was another one of the shows that ranked somewhere in the middle for me. Overall it left no major impression on me, but there are a few standout looks and a few tactics I could see myself working in this spring. The tell-tale Sir Paul stripes were omnipresent as expected, but an undertone of heroin rock kept the collection fresh.
-You know the drill, photos and analysis of our favorite looks after the jump.


-This look seems to fit with the 80s renaissance thats happening lately (for better or worse). Or maybe I'm just in that mode because I just watched American Psycho. Either way it's spring.

-This look is a little more my taste. I love the tie tuck, I think it is hands down one of the most under utilized tactics. Be mindful though, it only works with a wider tie, and one with sheen. So try it when you're not rocking the hipster ultra skinny neckwear.

-This is pretty ridiculous, but I included it just because, it's ridiculous. I would rock the pants.

-I really like the hint of casual nonchalance with the rolled up suit pant and colored socks. This is just a great three piece, I'd probably lose the jacket. This is another example of a look you might be able to achieve for a fraction of the price if you went with a brand like Ben Sherman.

-Again the rolled pants are innovative (with a suit) and I like the denim shirt and air tie breaking up the monotony of business. Also, there has been a lot of unique belt action this spring, I don't yet know how I feel about it. You'll see more what I mean when we do Etro.

-I've never seen a double-breasted cardi, that's pretty fresh.

-Of course I'm loving the boat shoes, Sperry makes them in this same color for about $60. I was just looking at my seersucker today thinking of ways to utilize it. The top and scarf here are a bit feminine for me but the ideal of a light scarf and a light seersucker is great for spring/summer.

-Word.
All photos by Marcio Madeira via men.style.com

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