Do it like a brother/ Trend update

By Neslihan

I feel like the dudes are being discriminated on this blog that's why I dedicate a blog post to all the fabulousness out there for the males. Becuase you've got to admit: those a/w 2012 collections are to die for! Those suits, shirts, pants, shoes make me wish I were a boy but then again I don't have to be a boy to wear men's clothing...

1 )Printed shirts (Dries Van Noten): Van Notens autumn/winter collection contained a lot of shirts with quirky prints and texts. I know how difficult it is to style a crowded print like this but there are always two ways to combine 'em. Or you go for a sober result by combining it with a pair of black/denim trousers or you go over the top and mix it with other prints. You can find shirts like these in a bunch of second hand/vintage shops.

2)Fur (Maison Martin Margiela): it's hard for a guy to wear fur and not to look like André Leon Talley but I think MMM pulled it off quite well. The beige colour neutralizes the bombastic effect fur usually causes. I wouldn't go for the furry handbag at the same time or I wouldn't go for a furry handbag at all. It reminds me of those stuffed animal rucksacks I'd used to wear to kindergarten. Realising a bit afterwards my orange juice had run out again. Sticky days recall sticky memories

PS: growing a moustache/beard seems to be the new artsy thing to do. 

3)Military (John Galliano): spotted on Van Noten's spring/summer catwalk but a little earlier in Galliano's collection: khakis, browns and camouflage prints should wake up the warrior feel. Going over the top like they did at Galliano is not necessary though, you can also go for a couple key items like a parka, boots, khaki pants or a camouflage printed shirt.

4)Pastels (Walter Van Beirendonck): faded rose, purple, yellow, those are all tones that are not easy to combine as a brother but I appreciate what Walter did. Combining pastels with pastels  is deffinitely the way to go. 

5)Layering (Ann Demeulemeester):  Ann's a/w collection was a true ode to layering. And you can interpret this quite widely. She layered with lengths, materials, prints (tie dye/ombre)... She made her men wear long knitwear and coats, which looked utterly luxurious. As if her models had escaped some dark, modern version of a 19th century novel. The boots made the totality look more dramatic.

6)Florals (Comme des Garçons): Rei is a fucking hero because not alone did she make her garçons wear skirts but also garments with enormous flower prints. Raising her middle finger once more against conformism. I know that it might be scary to wear an obvious print like this but I can tell you you'll love it. It's an instant energy boost. If you're still not ready to look like a fashionably justified rose garden, you can start off with something small. Fold your pant legs and wear flower printed little cute socks in your brogues. 

7)Knitwear (Raf Simons): don't you love to wear your cosy, oversized jumper once autumn has started? Wool, snow and hot coco make an excellent threesome. That's also what Raf thought while he was creating his a/w collection. Look at that wonderful clash: short pants combined with a mustard-coloured pull over! Also in love with the beanies in this collection.

8)Greys (Pringle of Scotland): once it starts to rain more often and the wind is omnipresent and our moods are effected by less daylight, our closet starts to get effected too. Grey is this kind of colour that never gets out of fashion. You can never be underdressed in grey. It's like black but the more sophisticated, snobby and depressing version. 

9)Velvet (Burberry Prosum): is there anything more rich than velvet? The soft feel of this royal fabric is the ultimate weapon against harsh winter temperatures. A velvet blazer is an absolute must this season. Ideal for the holidays to come.

10)The suit (YVES Saint Laurent): there are some irreplacable formalities in life and one of those formalities is the impeccable black suit. A lot has been written and said about it but Yves Saint Laurent still is the King of all suits. This one is amazing in all its simplicity but the leather collar makes it edgier in a classy way.

Check out the whole collection here. 

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Take a closer look

By Neslihan
Hi there fashion lover,
Sometimes fashion is about mixing the craziest things together. Brands of which you think, no I won't ever be able to combine this with another brand or prints that are just too fickle to wear with other prints. I somehow think that fashion isn't about dos and don'ts because these little rules truly make you unhappy. And they also limit your artistic fashion spirit which is- excusez le mot- a huge don't when it comes to expressing yourself through your outfits. You should know what goes great on you or what you really like and go for it. Of course this has to happen in some kind of sane way because without guidance we are savages in this enormous fashion jungle. The most horrible things could happen if you don't respect your body structure and above all your personal style. Yes, personal style to me is very important. It's an identity one should never desert or fake. You have to stick to your guts even though you get strange looks in the streets for the pair of shoes you wear or for your exentric glasses. Don't give a damn. Feel like everything is possible when you're standing in front of your wardrobe. It's such a liberating thought but it's of course more easilly said than done. Go for a couple of signature pieces like earrings or a scarf and try to put them together with those amazing pair of pants you bought earlier or the most incredible tee you ordered on the net. Don't wear what you're told to wear because that would be like changing your name because your friend doesn't like it. If there's one lesson I've learned up to now (read: my still juvenile age of 17) it's sticking to your style in whatever situation you are. Let that be a wise thought on this Sunday noon.
As for this blog post I assembled two of the most outspoken and controversial designers of our era. Those two names do not fit together, they're just too different for that. They're like water and fire, that's how dissimilar they are. The first detail pics are from Rei Kawakubo's (Comme des Garçons) RTW show for this season and the second group of pics belong to Roberto Cavalli's show. I know, I know, relax those eyebrows. Mister Cavalli is to be found one of the most tacky designers of all times if you group him up with Versace and Guess (is Guess a high fashion brand?) but Versace for H&M showed us that it's ok to be tacky once in awhile. And looking at his pictures it's the most mouth watering tackiness I've ever seen. I mean look at those animal prints mixed up with florals and goldy glitters. It's bombastic but I adore it! And let's not froget Kawakubo's Comme des Garçons show, pretty please! It was one hell of a collection. So sculptural, rough but also poetic at the same time. Kawakubo is one of those designers who doesn't give a flying f*ck about wearability. She puts the F to fashion and creates art with her collections. The crispy white dresses and those big flowers sewn onto the dresses were just memorable and will be used in lots of editorials of trendsetting magazines, that's for sure. The whole collection also reminded me of the edgier version of Marie Antoinette. It was a delightful freak show. Cheers to that!

Comme des Garçons

Roberto Cavalli