Back when she started out, Karen Elson had her eyebrows infamously off-ed at the suggestion of Steven Meisel. She catapulted to international fame fronting high-fashion campaigns and covers from W magazine to Italian Vogue. All this would suggest that the loss of one’s eyebrows is actually rather beneficial- a debate being started over on the Daily Mail website. In the latest Givenchy advert, model Adriana Lima shows off a pair of bleached brows and the Daily Mail is as always on the attack.
Unfortunately for my now traumatised retinas, the newspaper made up a few of Britain’s biggest stars without eyebrows (image above.) I’m not a fan; waking up without eyebrows would be one of my worst nightmares. I can understand that on someone staggeringly beautiful and Elson-esque, a lack of eyebrows would only increase allure. However, this is most definitely one trend I pray does not make the leap from womenswear to menswear. Let’s leave it to the models!
Winter is often a season of necessity versus beauty. Unless one has enough in his wallet to buy a piece like this Alexander McQueen (a cool £1,095,) fashionistos are left to settle for cheap and not always stylish alternatives. The gilet (or body-warmer) is a fickle fashion item and this season it has been made-up in enticing chambray by label Wings + Horns.
Gilets often look awful; after all, the Michelin Man-look has never suited anyone. However, when worn over-sized and unzipped with skinny jeans and leather brogues, your padded-tube of fabric becomes the key component of a high-fashion look.
I would say ‘Yay’ to the idea of a gilet- simply follow Brandish’s style advice and you’ll be looking awesome anyway!
Nickque Patterson is setting the London fashion world alight- slowly but surely. As a stylist, DJ, designer and all-round fashionisto persona, Nickque is one of those people for whom every street is a real-life catwalk. Whether in front of the camera as a model or working behind the scenes orchestrating an edgy editorial, Patterson knows the trends and makes fashion happen.
Ever so fortunately, he was excited to be interviewed for Brandish and after the jump we have his full interview. Prepare for shoes described as ‘elite,’ Nickque’s self-decided role as the “Jesus of Fashion” and grooming-secrets (just check out the hair!)
We love him!
The Times has a feature at the moment detailing the changing size of the common tie as we go through decades of economic change. Apparently John Lewis has announced “a dramatic inch-loss of nearly 25 per cent in width over the past six months” with its most popular ties. Charlie Allen, the famous tailor Brandish recently had an exclusive sit-down with over the new ‘n’ improved England kit, told the Times that “the impact of economic turmoil on tie design can be traced back through the previous recessions of the 20th century. While postwar Britain and the Swinging Sixties embraced exaggerated prints and widths of up to 5in, the downturns of the 1930s and 1980s saw sizes reduce to as little as an inch.”
See after the jump for my Top 5 ‘Skinny Summer ties’- on the cheap for your enjoyment! (They’re all under £10)
When my English teacher announced we would be studying ‘A Streetcar Named Desire,’ I have to admit to a light leap of the heart as I reminisced on John Galliano‘s ‘Blanche DuBois’ collection of 1988 and Marlon Brando in all his retro glory; oozing sex appeal and hard-edged fashion prowess. With these thoughts in mind, and a bit of time spent re-watching the iconic film made in 1951, I set about creating an outfit based on the look of Stanley Kowalski.
I’ve mixed a pair of amazing chino/casual-esque trousers with a bit of a vintage feel and a thin leather belt from with a basic tee from Topman and a pair of roughed up plimsolls from New Look. This is simple and seemingly effortless but the look as a whole is incredibly effective at turning you into a rugged, alpha-male icon. Now, with the fashion bit past, can anyone do a good New Orleans accent?
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)
Mickey Boardman is the infamous columnist at Paper magazine as well as a social butterfly and fashion extraordinaire. He is also the proud owner of a rather distinctive and intriguing look. Boardman blends paired down basics in block colours (Lacoste polo shirts, chinos, simple cardigans in luxury cashmere,) with extravagant costume jewellery and accessories. Chunky necklaces and lavish loops of gorgeous beads add a high-fashion touch to any simple look. But I worry it might raise a few eyebrows (and maybe a few fists) down at the local supermarket.
The Fashionisto has reported that Oki-ni is redesigning their website today and he has a quote from Pete Hellyer, Oki-ni Design Manager.
“While the products and mix has been constantly evolving the site has remained pretty much the same. 18 months on from the re-launch, what worked then…now doesn’t. We felt that it was time for a change, an evolution that puts the site on par with the products. And we hope that you agree.”
Prepare yourself for brilliant new labels, a blog, fashion archives and designer profiles. All exciting stuff, for sure!
The latest issue of VMAN was released a few days ago and it has two, bright covers. Models Jake Madden and CJ Hancock pose in fab suits from designers Calvin Klein and Givenchy and the covers are brilliantly fresh- perfect for the economic moan-athon we are currently suffering!
CJ and Jake are the joint winners of the VMAN and Ford Model Search and from these debut covers it looks like they will go far.
See after the jump for a full review of this issue with pics included!
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.
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?
Men.Style have just posted this hilarious video of self-confessed ‘Lo-Head’ rapper, 88-Keys. Don’t panic- I too had absolutely no idea what a ‘Lo-Head’ was but all is revealed and it turns out that this term is colloquial for someone who is obsessed with the Ralph Lauren Polo clothing.
What do you think of these label loons. Do you go ga-ga for Gucci? Are you bonkers for Bottega? Vote Yay or Nay after the jump.
The third episode of this season’s Skins is out this week and the series is already proving that the youthful fashion beacon has been passed onto a new cast. From the over-sized tees and shrunken dungarees of Freddie to the vintage sportswear worn with careful nonchalance by the fabulous Cook (on the right.) Channel 4 has launched a full on media campaign with the launch of a new season and this includes a weekly report from costume designer Edward K Gibbon.
Follow this link for the E4 website and see after the jump for the low-down on the style of the new Skins fellows.
Denim has been revolutionised in recent times and the last few years have seen denim be used by menswear designers to make a true statement. Whether skinny, twisted, acid bright faded, torn, studded, boot-leg: some might say that ‘jeans maketh man.’ And they wouldn’t be far wrong.
So, what would these jeans say about a male? They lace up (with white leather might I add) the side and turn up at the bottom. The have a diamond pattern detail on the back pockets and come from one of the coolest labels of the moment.
Yay or Nay my friends? Vote after the jump.
Back when she started out, Karen Elson had her eyebrows infamously off-ed at the suggestion of Steven Meisel. She catapulted to international fame fronting high-fashion campaigns and covers from W magazine to Italian Vogue. All this would suggest that the loss of one’s eyebrows is actually rather beneficial- a debate being started over on the Daily Mail website. In the latest Givenchy advert, model Adriana Lima shows off a pair of bleached brows and the Daily Mail is as always on the attack.
From:Higuain too! Chelsea now chasing the same strikers as Arsenal and Real