NYFW | A Gentleman's Game - Michael Bastian SS14 Review

Inspired by French fashion, Michael Bastian has moulded his collection on arguably the most stylish man in the world. The pieces are quirky and fresh while still retaining the gentleman quality of menswear. This is charisma in fabric. You can see the collection here.

It's great to see fun but still classy prints - one of my favourite is the backgammon sweater although I have no idea how to play it properly, I just click it randomly on the old Windows game. The collection is not just prints, the textures make the garments much more refined.

NYFW | Snakes and Flowers - BCBGMAXAZRIA SS14 Review

I have to push these out like crazy cos London Fashion Week started last Friday and I really want to post on those too. Some of my favourite labels are there :D

BCBGMAXAZRIA at New York Fashion Week started the show off with a more light and natural palette and turned it up with deeper colours towards the end. I love the reconstructed pieces which were loose-fitting and the more sheer garments were strong with the lighter colours.

You can check out all the looks here. My friends and I love BCBG ;D

NYFW | Young Heart - Marc by Marc Jacobs SS14 Review

Probably the hottest line right now for younger fashion consumers. Marc by Marc Jacobs at New York Fashion Week showed off what being young is about. The stylish twists of varsity and cheerleading inspired outfits along with some statement novelty pieces were interesting. The use of pastels and satin was innocently youthful. Clearly, this line knows its demographic. Most garments were loose fitting and youthful. The energy was very high in the red pieces and the show ended with large star prints. You can see all the photos here.

The collection boasted some interesting pieces and their form was stylish but I felt underwhelmed by Marc by Marc Jacobs this season.

NYFW | Summertime Freshness - beyondcloset by Tae Yong SS14 Review

I was super excited to see beyondcloset to be at New York Fashion Week as one of the strongest emerging menswear brands from Asia. The label works with bright and bold colours, something I love about Spring/Summer seasons. Awesome awesome awesome. Check out the photos here.

The pieces also have a strong emphasis on shape and prints, making it one of the most interesting labels visually. The really playful colours and the runway looks were very well put together. I like this a lot. It's great to see menswear with much more creativity and bright colours. Menswear doesn't always have to be serious, and this brand shows the fun and more naive side.

NYFW | Look Good, Feel Good - Kenneth Cole SS14 Review

One of my personal favourite shoemakers, Kenneth Cole presented his SS14 collection at New York Fashion Week. The collection boasts casual streetwear and a flashblack to Harlem in the 80s. I think Kenneth Cole is trying something new this season but I'm not too sure about some of the clothing and colours. Some of the studded items were a bit outdated. However, I was very excited about the accessories. The necklaces, 'Feel Good' and 'Look Good' were great and some of the bracelets were the most interesting that I've seen from Kenneth Cole. The photos are here :)

NYFW | M is for Sexy - Michael Kors SS14 Review

Michael Kors is a favourite for many and I really enjoyed his SS13 so I was looking forward to seeing this collection at New York Fashion Week. Of course, the runway looks are all selling the bags and shoes. It's great to see that he matched the shoes to every outfit, something many designers overlook at the runway. It makes the whole look complete.

Michael Kors' pieces were well structured and feminine with smart cuttings for tops, and pleats for skirts. The leathery look is great but I'm not too big on the fur. He had a lot of fun with the collars of the look which often created an 'M' and I couldn't unsee it in the rest of the looks after I noticed it. All the runway photos are here. The show had everything you could ever want, leather, fur, florals, sheer, knits - you name it, and all very sexy and sophisticated.

NYFW | The True New Yorker - DKNY SS14 Review

DKNY at New York Fashion Week was a reminder of 90s New York flavour and urban sportswear. The brand showcased its strongest points in creative streetwear. The items were also updated with more pastel colours and the bold DKNY logo. Just in case it wasn't New York enough, the iconic yellow taxi cabs served as a backdrop for the show. It was well put together with large DKNY letters covered in graffiti. The photos are posted here. Street culture of the 90s was definitely a big inspiration, celebrating 25 years of the brand. Of course, headlines were of singer Rita Ora closing the show.

NYFW | Rustic Genius - Billy Reid SS14 Review

I first came across Billy Reid through K-Swiss because I love their sneakers. They have very interesting styles and they feel very 'me'. I'm sure you have all come across brands which reflect you the best. Billy Reid's SS14 is very texture and print oriented. You can find all the photos here. The show New York Fashion Week (NYFW) was really nicely produced to reflect the ideas of the collection. Especially loved the plants and railway of course.

There are really nice casual shirts that I would definitely wear. I love the materials that he used to create the looks. The pieces are more rustic but at the same time structured. Besides texture, prints seem to be the focus of the pieces. Gone is minimalist and the pieces feel much more retro and homey. The jumpers have really cool prints and texture which work excellently with shorts. The collection also goes a bit experimental with an extremely loose camouflage outerwear and an updated light camo jacket. The blazers all have really interesting prints or textures for the single colour ones. Contrasting panels in terms of materials used are very clever to create different textures too. Menswear has never been so interesting!

NYFW | Breezy Oasis - Diane Von Furstenberg SS14 Review

My first post for New York Fashion Week (NYFW)! NYFW is so different from all others because you get a really strong sense of American glamour. It's great to see modern luxurious styles and you're always bound to recognise a few very famous faces on the catwalk. New York Fashion Week to me is spending central - the trends and styles you see are always very marketable.

One of the most interesting womenswear designers is Diane Von Furstenberg. I focus more on menswear but I would always take note of what goes on at DVF. The good thing about womenswear is that the runway looks are very nicely styled because they can use more accessories. Sometimes the look is really well put together and you don't know where to look! It was also surprising to see Naomi Campbell close the show for DVF ss14. The superstar walked down in a beautifully detailed gold and black dress. Just shows how much work designers put into an outfit. All the photos are here!

Fast-Fashion World - Swedish Retailer H&M to Launch in Australia!

Earlier this year, H&M expressed interest in launching a concept flagship store in Australia. It will be the first in the continent adding to the wave of fast-fashion retailers (ZARA, Topman, Topshop) flocking here. Speculations of where that might be between Sydney or Melbourne are finally (and unfortunately) settled. The new flagship store will be in Melbourne's GPO next year. So jealous right now. I think fast-fashion has really revolutionised the way a lot of people shop. It's great that everyone can have good access to current trends and ideas for affordable prices (especially for menswear). I love their collaborations with some noted labels too like Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Maison Martin Margiela and Viktor & Rolf.

H&M The Icons (Hi, I love Liu Wen)

H&M Mens SS 2013

The new store will be one of the largest stores globally as H&M anchors its position in Australia as a top retailer. The store will be around 5,000 square meters over 3 floors. I want to get lost in it.

I love how H&M is marketed, working with noted designers to lift its own brand as well as provide the general public with access to clothing by those high-end designers (which are great at generating revenue at this more economic level). I hope there will be pieces which are Australian exclusive.

hm.com

Melbourne is getting everything :( with Japanese UNIQLO also wanting to set up its flagship store there. I want Kuroki Meisa all over Sydney instead please.

Being a Watch Guy - Obsession with watches

I always think accessories are the most important things in an outfit. They give hints about so many stories, so many stories of you. The thing is, because it isn't like a piece of clothing and it is chosen specifically and individually, accessories tell a lot about what is conscious as well as sub-conscious about a person. Currently I am really obsessed with watches. I love their look and I also like how they are practical things. I know a lot of people think why would you wear a watch when you have a phone to check the time, but watches are more than just practical things. Using something as what it actually is has long become a thing of the past. Everything these days can be a fashion statement or serve another purpose. I wish I could afford to collect watches (although not in the sense like some people who collect vintage Rolexes and Chopards for investment purposes but) to wear and to look at and keep at home - I want to collect these 'fashion' watches which aren't really expensive but still, it's time to work hard $$$. I really like the boxes that come with the watches too. I don't know, I want to be a watch guy haha.

Sean O'Pry is too cool. Patrick Demarchelier is crazy good. Maybe I'll get one from Calvin Klein just cos they're cool.

Instadigest | 2013 Winter

It's Spring time, although Winter wasn't relenting this year at all. I actually had quite a lot going on and I couldn't pick out only 6 photos from my instagram which represented this time completely, but I guess I had to make a decision and here are some of the most characterising moments for me this Winter. Plus, I kinda blogged about other lifey things in the Op-shop and Cologne diaries.

(30+ days x 3 months)/ 6 photos = 15+ days
So I guess mathematically, each photo should represent more than 15 days.

Left: Birthday month takes priority of course ;) Thanks to everyone (especially my mum and sis for flying to visit me), and especially for the love from all your shrivelled up black hearts :D

Right: Hanging out with Chrissy around The Rocks and The Observatory! The day was pretty tiring actually but it was super fun and one of the many good days I had during the break from uni. More photos here.

Left: Splurge day. Hi Pierre Balmain. I am very poor now but this jacket is an investment and leather jackets last forever anyway.

Right: The launch of SUCK IS FREE at +ESTATEofMIND. A great party and launch of a Sydney label. Check out my post here and the outfit post here. I had such an awesome time!

Left: Shooting with ensofoto! It was really thrilling and embarrassing doing this in public LOL. It was much more challenging then I thought. The finished photos are here and the outfit post is here.

Right: At the NOKIA Lumia 925 Launch Night. The dress was also showcased at Vivid Sydney 2013. Awesome night and super great planning. Check out more about the night here.