When American Apparel president Dov Charney tells the press that he’s “not sorry of expressing myself,” it usually means that he has done something involving hip fashion, knee-high socks and models who are dubiously dewy-skinned. However, in this case, Charney is responding to reports over his recent legal battle with infamous director Woody Allen over American Apparel billboards featuring a screen-cap from Allen’s well-known film, ‘Annie Hall.’ The ads showed Allen in Rabbi clothing and the director has stated that he did not give any permission for the image to be used. Originally asking for $10 million, Allen was today awarded half of that for the supposed damage the ads have done to his reputation (?!)
Let’s just say that if American Apparel wanted to put up a billboard featuring a picture of me I wouldn’t be complaining!
We’re so glad Neville Staple has ditched the dodgy mid-90s dreads and is looking shipshape for the (partial) Specials reunion. Proving that the Rude Boy look is timeless and stylish, Neville sports a hat and check shirt. Simple and effective. Ape the look by sticking to vintage or quality new and trying to keep everything as fuss free and classic as possible.
The Specials staged their comeback at London’s Brixton Academy this weekend, jump through to see Terry Hall et al performing on the night.
“The parties tonight are great, but they don’t compare to three days ago, when I sat by the Seine on my own and smoked cigarillos. It’s my favorite thing in the world. I smoke this brand La Paz–they’re cheap but it’s what I always buy. And then, I peed into the Seine. It’s the best thing I did all week.”
It seems like Oliver Theyskens is enjoying his downtime after stepping down from his post at Nina Ricci as he talked to partygoers at the Met Costume Ball afterparty. Theyskens has been replaced by Peter Copping at the Italian fashion house, but it doesn’t seem to have bothered the Belgian-born designer.
Since turning up at the Met’s Costume Institute Gala with a trinity of her Hollywood girlfriends, Stella McCartney has had a whirlwind week involving everyone from Simon Doonan (creative director of Barneys) to Michelle Obama.
While chatting to the gloriously over-the-top Doonan, Stella was asked about lending her ethical hand to a menswear collection. “Yes, I would love to!”- so what can we expect? I’m hoping for vegan-leather brogues and penny loafers, baggy suit jackets, chunky patterned knits for men, modern shapes and shirts in innovative fabrics.
McCartney, herself, spoke recently about her love of menswear: “I’ve always been a bit obsessed with men’s tailoring. When I was in St. Martins, I’d take time out at night and go work on Savile Row. I was always influenced by my mum and dad’s wardrobe and they always had really cool bespoke suits.”
André Leon Talley turned up in a voluminous cape with a great mayoral style necklace. Note the jewelled pumps, we can only dream of this trend filtering onto the high street. Next, sweet-faced Alber Elbaz, who we love as much and as unreservedly as Michelle Obama. The suit and trademark bow tie all pass muster but the clogs need to go, maybe him and Talley can go shoe-shopping together?
As you can tell the collection takes inspiration from Williamson’s mix of traditional Brit and colourful hedonism, with brights, seersucker (a brilliant summer fabric) and tie dye. “I have aimed to incorporate a styling juxtaposition where global inspiration is fused with quintessential English style.” said Williamson. It might be a little much to wear all together, but the seperate pieces will definitely give your summer wardrobe some pep.
Andrew Chen from 3sixteen kindly sent us over a sneak preview of their A/W range. I know most of us are just getting our summer wardrobe sorted, but it never hurts to be prepared!
Shot on the streets of New York the collection is neat, grown up and functional. There’s a lot of grey, which we always love, but the real treat is the mix of textures like chambray, denim tweed and knit. Look out for details like toggles on jumpers and quality leather accessories, can’t wait to see the lookbook.
David Beckham is already promoting Adidas’ athletic and football ranges, and now he is chipping in with design too.
The football star has teamed up with cult sneaker expert James Bond on a range of menswear for Adidas Originals. Beckham is a known regular at Bond’s Undefeated store in Los Angeles and after a little matchmaking by Adidas, the two ended up working together. The collection take timeless sportswear styles and updates them with on-trend details and luxe fabrics like leather, silk, and cashmere. Similarly the footwear is an updated take on the classic Adidas models and the range also features accessories and thermal layers.
Chances are if you’re a Brandish reader then you’re already well aware of the importance of menswear, but today Jean Schneides in WWD did some catwalk investigating and concluded that you need to keep one on the menswear collections at all times, if you want a preview of what the womenswear collections will look like a few weeks or months later.
We’ve already discussed that womenswear trends like ombré filter through onto the menswear catwalks a season or two later, but take a look at the gallery to see which designers have been looking to their menswear collections for inspiration.
Celebs already make us jealous with their post-Christmas holidays in the Carribean, the Bold and the Beautiful have been out at Coachella, the first festival of the summer.
From David Hasslehoff to Jared Leto the US stars were out in full force, having a lovely time but we also had some Uk slebs representing, with Agyness Deyn and Henry Holland putting in an appearance.
Dizzee Rascal is back, with Bonkers, a track which sees him collaborating with Armand van Helden. The naysayers have been saying it’s half-arsed or a bit cheesy but I like it, whether I’ll still be saying that come summer when I’ve heard it more times than I’ve seen checked shirts on the tube.
But this is Brandish, so enough about the music lets talk about the clothes. A shark suit! A chain necklace! A leopard print blazer! It’s a fantastic little whirwind of fancy dress, prizes for who can name the object at 0.19… A disco-glitter animal stole?
Acne Outlet store, where have you been all my life? Selling prime pieces from the beloved label at discount prices Acne Outlet instantly made onto my bookmarks.
Take their classic Wide Dots shirt reduced to £96, the Liberty print is distinctive without being twattish and it makes a good alternative to ubiquitous check. The fabric is fairly lightweight and it’s so summery it may as well come pre-stained with blobs of Twister and Calippo ice lollies. Wear now with jeans and a blazer as they’ve styled it on the site, and come summer roll the sleeves and team it with a pair of pale chinos. Top it off with some oxblood loafers or coral deck shoes to provide a satisfying focal point.
We all know that by now shorts have staked their claim on the fashion map, and rightly so, until men can wear skirts in the street a la most recent Fantastic Man issue, the options are fairly limited.
So praise be to Angus Young for rocking shorts since before I was even born, which is a very long time. I’m not a 100% sure the utilitarian Clarksalike trainers and white sports socks is what I’d team his suit with, but not everyone can understand a trailblazer. You’ve now got a model to copy for summer, go forth to the office in your shorts suit!
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!
Sander Reijgers’ sex doll hoodies have been a mini-internet phenomenon and it’s not hard to see why. The hoodies are witty, but sympathetically so, which probably goes some way to explain their popularity, but we spoke to Sanders himself to find out more.
Your blow up doll hoodies have been a great success, what do you think it is that struck a chord with people?
I think the elements of humour, surprise, sex, also that it’s something new and unique, and not forgetting the simple fact it’s nice to look at.
How long have you been designing clothes, and tell us a little more about your past work?
I’m a painter, I have done the art academie (The Royal Academy of Art in the Hague). But for now I’m more interested in working 3d. The hoodies are an example. I’m using fashion and sex as a means to make objects. I like to operate in the grey area between art, design and fashion.
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When American Apparel president Dov Charney tells the press that he’s “not sorry of expressing myself,” it usually means that he has done something involving hip fashion, knee-high socks and models who are dubiously dewy-skinned. However, in this case, Charney is responding to reports over his recent legal battle with infamous director Woody Allen over American Apparel billboards featuring a screen-cap from Allen’s well-known film, ‘Annie Hall.’ The ads showed Allen in Rabbi clothing and the director has stated that he did not give any permission for the image to be used. Originally asking for $10 million, Allen was today awarded half of that for the supposed damage the ads have done to his reputation (?!)
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