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. 

Source

Freja Beha X Zara

By Neslihan
I love, love, love Freja Beha Erichsen. She is just perfection. Her face, her hair, her androgynous body, everything is perfect about this kick ass chick. Her accent is marvelous too. And if you still aren't convinced then go and watch this Zara movie, you'll be enchanted.  She describes the Zara woman for their Autumn/Winter collection. Just as elegant and sensual as in 'The Tale of a Fairy'. GO GO GO!

Defending Raf

By Neslihan

I felt like defending Raf Simons for his first Dior collection because I've read so many negative comments on the internet. I think it's injustice towards Raf's talent and simply unrespectful towards his art. So that's why I'm focusing on a couple of those reactions in this blog post:

"Raf's collection for Dior was a copy of his last collection for Jil Sander."
This is just bullocks. Okay, this collection had that strong, refined, minimalistic Raf stamp but that's what it was supposed to be. That's why they hired the man. You've got to integrate your own vision while respecting the authenticity of the brand. Dior isn't just a brand it's a history lesson in fashion. It's a hard thing to stick to your own style but also respect what Dior originally stands for: femininity, craftmanship and class. Femininity isn't so much about cleavage, glitters or extravagance. Raf stresses on the polished side of being a woman with his sleek cuts. It basically comes down to this: when Raf left Jil Sander, he did take his vision with him. So, the next time you whine about Raf being too simplistic or minimalistic, take a second and maybe think that that's what it actually has to be.

"This Dior show wasn't couture. It looked like ready to wear!"
Can we please get over the fact that couture is only about gaudy luxury? The luxury of Raf's designs for Dior lies in Raf's impeccable sense for tailoring. Have you seen the modern version of Mister Dior's bar jacket? It was the most perfect taloring ever!  And what about the cut out dresses used as tops? I mean the embellishment was breathtaking. The voluminous dresses were another tribute to Christian Dior's style. This collection was actually something like back to basics. Back to what Dior stood for. The poppy colours and elegant pantsuits proved that. Couture isn't so much about showy, crazy extravagance but ir's about smooth fits and amazing details. Or that's Raf's motto.

"We want John Galliano back."
I'm sure we all have to get used to Raf's vision but give the man at least a chance before you start to judge. You can't compare Simons to Galliano. That is just impossible. Galliano is all about theatrical, eccentric, romantic, 20's glamour while Raf is the embodiment of less is more. He's romantic but in his own way (hence  his last Jil Sander collection). You can't expect him to be a Galliano rip off. That would be boring as well. This collection shows us that a new era has begun because Raf ends the Galliano episode and makes the industry ready for poetic minimalism. And I can't wait until the next collection!

Luckily Raf received also lots of good comments. He invited a lot of fellow designers like Alber Elbaz, Pierre Cardin and Marc jacobs but also celebs like Marion Cotillard and Sharon Stone. Even Charlene from Monaco was there. Isn't that the most amazing guest list? The Belgian and Dutch readers can read some of the reactions here. As for my other beloved readers, I've translated a couple thoughts. Scroll down to read them.

MUGLER FALL 2012 RTW

by Simon


Hi guys! I'm still alive! I promised this one was coming soon, but soon turned to be al little less sooner than expected. Things are pretty crazy for me (for example, we're getting new floors and the house looks like we're moving out) but I found some time to finally write this report. Ready?

The show started with some white looks, trimmed with fur (which is extremely popular this season!). The dresses were cute, with some classic Mugler details such as the shoulders and the pannelling, but with some fresh ideas as well, think fringes and cut-outs taken the next level. The shoes, also white, were designed by Christian Louboutin and they are cute to look at but are probably impossible to wear (unless your name is Lady Gaga).

The next part of the show brought some sculptural dresses which really took the Mugler classics to a more futuristic  level but they simply were too short or too bare for a fall collection. Formichetti attempted to use some color but the orange two-piece look was one of the only succesful results of that. The others looked like they had orange ink spilled on them.

Then the collection sort of collapsed. The Louboutin shoes turned from iconic to tragic and so did the clothes.  Fur patches that looked like they were stapled on the clothes, a foul not orange nor yellow "dress" and zebra print, yes, zebra print. Oh boy.

The last part of the show left me divided: an amazing embellished dress made my jaw drop, as well as an outstanding skeleton-like print gown. The last ten looks however were so dull and repetitive, you can't even begin to imagine how bored I got. The ninja-like looks that seemed to be made from fabric leftovers didn't do anything for the model's bodies and just weren't exciting to look at. Sadly, the final look was one of these craft projects as well.

Conclusion: a collection fit for the Mugler vixen-woman, full of good ideas that needed some serious editing. They did, however, keep me interested to see what they'll come up with next.

Miu Miu RTW F/W 2012-2013/ Details

By Neslihan

Hello there fashion lover,

I know the last thing you want to read about is a fall/winter collection when we're all impatiently waiting for summer, I mean spring. Still I couldn't hold myself from posting those pictures above. I mean how perfect are those shoes? They look so incredibly chic and very autumnal. I love the first two pairs because they're masculine but still have a little height. The blue ones from the second picture are just absolutely divine! The last pair remind me of my mother's 80's boots. She also had a lot of bags made from fake snake leather. And when I give her my disapproving look, she always says disillusioned: "What? That was fashion back then!" Well mum, I've got some great news for you: it's making a comeback (unfortunately).

Pictures: Vogue Paris