I know, I know; Topman has become a bit of a regular feature on Brandish but when I noticed this look on the label’s website during my regular internet trawl, I couldn’t resist commenting.
While I’m not too sure about the rather peculiar Alice Dellal haircut (as highlighted in a previous Brandish post.) I think he gets off with it due to his incredible look- brash patter shirt, acid-washed jeans and skinny belt…but messy enough to avoid the overly-manicured style of the 80s fashionisto.
More to come on Topman’s ‘Motel Arizona’ look soon!
(Shirt, £25 on topman.com)
Topman have a new mini-collection on their online shop and the look is ‘Chelsea Arts Club.’ The high street label (beloved by the Brandish team,) tells that “this smart trend is influenced by a sophisticated age where actors, artists and sartorialists mixed in exclusive members clubs…the overall look is quirky.” For me, this translates as unusual textures, subtle details and wow-factor tailoring. My fashspirational men are Bob Dylan, Gregory Corso and Pablo Picasso; men who looked effortlessly awesome in rolled-up trousers and paint-stained tees.
Why not buy basic items from Topman and try your hand at home-made accessories? Prepare yourself for beads on string, paperclip tie bars and old woman’s brooches pinned into buttonholes.
Pick up a Murakami novel, write a poem and carry a wicker basket- this summer is all about your inner artist!
At the Store press day recently I came across an unfamiliar brand, Garbstore. Their ethos is ‘unfamiliar vintage’ and it fits right in with What We Like on Brandish as well as being bang on trend with the workwear feel. Garbstore have a store in Portobello which stocks labels like Bedwin and Rittenhouse as well as their own label.
Some typical picks from their store includes the ’50s Locker Cardigan with chenille patch, (£125) and their Warden coat, (£150) based on a 1956 design from the north of England. I have a feeling this is just the start of a long love affair, so expect to see a lot more of Garbstore on the site!
Today marked the launch of the Umbro England kit, with a special preview for press. The kit is being officially unveiled tomorrow at the England vs Slovakia match, but take my word for it when I say it’s pretty special!
We caught up with the trio behind the innovative design today and grilled them on the creative process behind this launch. David Blanch is the creative director for Umbro and an ex-footballer but his love of fashion runs deep. He has worked at the RCA which also was home to Savile Row tailor Charlie Allen for a while before he launched his own label.
In our second video, after the jump we interview critically acclaimed designer Aitor Throup who takes us through his body and movement focused approach to design.
Last summer I was down at Shiny Towers and the gloriously hot days were spent writing, chatting with my fellow Shinies, trying on Drop-Crotch jeans and touring the streets in search of aspirational street style. But despite all the joviality I didn’t quite anticipate the weather (although I refuse to take the blame for that one- when was the last time we had a proper summer?) and ended up the innocent victim of SSS (that’s Skinny jeans in Summer Syndrome.) This summer I am determined to get it right, which is why I have compiled this list of fashion needs (okay, wants.)
1. Lots of Extra-Hold Hairspray
Since Christmas and a happy accident haircut, I have been living with a bit of an 80s asymmetrical style. My super-thick hair means that I have to use extra-hold products which are effective but grease-free; the wet fro is never a good look! I will need lots of hairspray to combat the heat.
The Spring Summer issue of Numéro Homme is out, and for the non-francophones among us they kindly include an English translation of all the interviews at the back of the mag.
Philip Utz spoke to Alexander McQueen who, with typical forthrightness called Utz up on his interview skills, called fashion journalism a “thinly-veiled exercise in marketing” and then proclaimed that “the British Fashion Council doesn’t know what the fuck it’s doing.”
In a particularly explosive comment McQueen said: “Well what do you make of Hubert de Givenchy? He was only ever any good at ripping off [Cristobal] Balenciaga”
Week on week, the NY Times T Style Magazine delivers a fabulous fashion spread. Sometimes the editorial is womenswear-based and on occasion, we are provided with incredible style spark. This week’s magazine features the ‘Landed Gent’ editorial and with its vintage, Grey Gardens feel and stunning photography, I felt I had to share it!
Styled by Bruce Pask and photographed by Matthew Brookes, check out the gallery by clicking on the image below.
For me, the Sartorialist is often ‘Hail or Fail’ in that sometimes I want to literally hunt down the people in his photographs to steal their outfits and sometimes I just want to hunt them down and …hurt them? Anyways, I can’t decided with the photo to the left. While I love the proportion play of the trench and tight, knit waistcoat and the relatively baggy trousers tucked into the boots, I’m not as convinced by the Autumnal colour scheme.
Am I the only one who thinks this fashionisto needs a pop of bright colour? Vote Yay or Nay after the jump.
The latest issue of American GQ looks set to be an exciting issue. While not the most fashion-forward of magazines, GQ manages to provide consistent style advice and it usually has at least a few good features.
In this issue, we have Justin Timberlake posing in a variety of stylish albeit bland looks and one of the most interesting looking features looks set to be their ‘Top 10 Most Stylish Men in America’ feature. Check back soon for the entire list with pics!
In the later months of last year, the Brandish team began to see previews from the Jeremy Scott Loves Ksubi denim collection.
Now, upon Lady Gaga wearing the orange love-heart suit in Sunday Times Style magazine, we are pleased to tell you that the line will be in-stores this March.
This is the fifth time the two labels have collaborated and as with previous collections, Jeremy Scott Loves Ksubi 2009 toys with the idea of Scott’s brilliant, brash prints with the achingly cool shapes of Aussie-label Ksubi.
Trashbag Aesthetics have reported that the line will be released in shops in March and we have already begun sharpening our elbows!
The floral-print denim at left is the only menswear we have so far seen from the collection but those hardcore fashionistos will no doubt be rocking the woman’s Nu-Rave orange ASAP.
J.W Anderson is a fringe designer who is fast-becoming one of the edgiest and coolest designers on the menswear scene. His Spring/Summer 2009 look-book is styled around themes of religion and from the title, ‘An Eye for an Eye,’ to the rosary beads and ornate headdresses, his theme is strong and bold. The look-book is full of subtle allusions to places of prayer; the smoky incense of Catholic churches to the opulent prayer mats of mosques.
The look above is second last in the look-book and please enlighten me (pardon the pun!) as to how you couldn’t like this shot. The intensity of the model’s stare and the contrast of plain shorts and extravagant crown works to create an utterly brilliant look.
More ankle boots from Unconditional, can we make them a menswear staple for autumn?
Sportswear influences made bondage trousers and knitwear look current while neatly avoiding cliché. Tailoring and asymmetric coats added to the simple, classy, look while laidback jersey pieces perfectly capture a youthful stylishness.
Click image to start gallery
Effortlessly cool is not really a phrase you want to bandy about recklessly but Tim Hamilton’s show had cool in spades.
Featuring everything a man could want from a wardrobe, neat tailoring teamed up with quirks like harem jogging bottoms (better than they sound!), jackets with layered panels and zip up ankle boots resulting in a collection that was by no means unadventurous but eminently wearable.
Click image to start gallery
Since I started on Brandish just over a year ago, I have repeatedly examined how trends begin in womenswear and eventually make the leap to menswear some few seasons later. Well now the Ombré trend worked by womenswear designers such as Jonathan Saunders and Prada almost three seasons ago has been dished out in rather glorious spades by designer Robert Geller.
Geller has managed to take the trend and work it in a way that is masculine and edgy (a rare occurrence in the world of menswear) and this shirt looks set to make my WISHLIST as soon as it hits the shops in a couple of months.
What do you think of Ombré? Tell us on our Facebook wall!
As we move to New York with our menswear coverage, the entire Brandish team has begun searching the shows for particular looks, gossip and moments that have caught our attention. And if there is one designer who has so far got people talking, it would have to be Duckie Brown. This label, designed by Steven Cox and Daniel Silver, has been trend-setting in previous seasons and over the last eight years it has definitely become one to watch for editors and writers alike.
So, with that said, what do you think of the label’s latest headwear designs. Loud, outrageous and not just a bit odd, would you be willing to rock this monumental millinery?
I know, I know; Topman has become a bit of a regular feature on Brandish but when I noticed this look on the label’s website during my regular internet trawl, I couldn’t resist commenting.
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