LCM | Structures and Textures - Christopher Kane FW14 Review

One of my favourite and most excited for designers in menswear (although he likes to do ladies fashion more) is Christopher Kane. A designer praised by Donatella Versace, his collection at the London Collections Men AW14 follows on with his obsession of science and chemistry. I've enjoyed large digital prints since a few years ago and recently they've gotten very elaborate. Christopher Kane's collection is a little bit more understated which is far more approachable and enjoyable.

LCM | Punk and Punch - Katie Eary FW14 Review

Katie Eary's collections are always loud and fresh. This season's strong punk influence rocked the show at the London Collections: Men for AW14. The fall collection was stylish in mixing up the strong in-your-face elements with fashion. The Mickey motif was brought back to life with new pieces like Mickey Mouse shaped braces. I enjoyed the colours used because red and black are one of my favourite combinations. I also really love the label because it's so good with its Facebook updates, always dropping hints of what it's going to do next.

Some of the best and wearable pieces were the graphic digital prints, printed on shirts, t-shirts and jumpers. The contrast of bold colours on black and white showed what the daring label is all about. 

LCM | 5 Trends at London Collections Men - Wrap up for Menswear FW14

To begin I'm really sorry to myself for falling behind not updating the blog, especially at a time like this, where the biggest menswear shows are being held. I guess I felt overwhelmed by the potential content I would have to cover. But I shouldn't be and I'm not. This blog is all about passion and hard work is it's own reward. Recently I've also been involved in working on a fashion magazine/journal for University students in Australia as the menswear editor (super yes please) and I will definitely give it more than 600% for that. It's great to be able to have some sort of input into some form of media as well as be on set shooting for the magazine. Also, I have found a photographer who wants to shoot on a more regular basis for my blog and I'm sure it would be helpful for the magazine too. I guess this month was very much a preparatory one with more things going on behind the scenes. I will always have time for everything because my dad always told me that you can always make time for things you want to do.

Check out these posts:

Burberry Prorsum

Christopher Kane

Hardy Amies
Jonathan Saunders

Katie Eary

Lou Dalton

Oliver Spencer

Topman Design

Beginning with London Collections: Men, notable mentions for AW14 go to Lou Dalton, Burberry Prorsum and Jonathan Saunders. View the collections here.

LCM | Drenched in Style - Topman Design FW14 Review

Topman Design is definitely one to watch for in the London Collections: Men. In recent years, the label has had major international success. AW14 opts for functional pieces to create style. The use of materials and colours reflect the water themed show. You can definitely see the influence of London weather in this.

New Year

- Can you believe it's the New Year already?
- I didn't feel it until last night.
- Remember to spend it with people you love.
- Or people you want to love.
- And include those you want to be a part of your lives.
- And just enjoy where the world takes you.
- Look for things you want to do.

Instadigest | 2013 Spring

Well that was fast. A huge chunk of it was just uni. I wonder how Summer will go since it's ALL holidays. The last weeks of November were terrible. I'm still quite sick. Fix me pls. And work, well work is just work.

The good thing about Spring is that I spent a lot of time blogging about NYFW, LFW and MFW (I loved New York's the best). I should do PFW too but it's been too long and I'm still sick. Yes that will be my excuse. There were a few things going on in the last week of November too in the Sydney fashion world but I was too drained and tired to go. Nonetheless, I had a good time at the End Of Year Parade of Sydney's Fashion Design Studio and meeting the founder of Bailey Nelson Eyewear.

I've been watching a lot of Mad Men. It's such a great drama. Every episode leaves me very content even though sometimes not much really happens. The show is very surprising actually. I thought it would be much more sinister (like full of schemes) and once in a while, something very light hearted happens. Like the foot thing. Thanks Bambino for lending me the DVDs. I really liked the more sophisticated style of the earlier seasons.

Also, Spring in the gaming department meant the release of Pokemon. Which I spent a LOT of time on during the course of Uni. I play before class, in class, after class, whatever time I had. Also spent about the same amount of time for Animal Crossing... Then it got a bit boring so I studied a bit more (not really, it only got boring AFTER my exams.. yay.) But I've bought a lot of other games too. I hate PS3, such a terrible system with no good games except Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3. The only reason why I even bought a PS3 in the first place.

I finally got my PONY shoes. Although the sizing was annoying, so I basically bought two pairs of the black suede and I'll give the smaller pair to Arch and the white ones don't fit me that well. Oh well, I quite willingly suffer for fashion. Speaking of purchases I've basically got most of everything I wanted so I'm good with no shopping for a while, maybe just 1 watch left. But yeah, I NEED to save now :)

Also, had a great time at the birthday parties of my friends in Spring. They were probably New Years celebration and Valentine's Day babies.

The Cologne Diaries - Just for Him (Just Cavalli) Review

10 November 2013

When I heard about the release, I was really excited for it because I love supporting the Cavalli brand. Just Cavalli is great because it's for the younger market with really cool and casual pieces. I love their elaborate casual t-shirts and sometimes dressy shoes. This scent is supposed to be daring and sensual but it's a bit too sweet. I can see ladies liking it more than guys. The best part is the leathery base note. It goes really well with the bottle and packaging design with the snake skin.

It's a good scent and ok for everyday wear although nothing too special. The top note has to be the most recognisable because that's what people smell first. Overall, I was expecting a little more from Just Cavalli. It does look great as a gift however since the bottle and packaging is so great.

I do really like the ad campaigns though. Marlon x Georgia May Jagger. Maybe that's because Marlon is the Chico's bestie (also).

Top 5 Sunglasses for Guys and Girls 2014 - SAFILO GROUP

Sunglasses are always the most stylish form of luxurious accessory. They are the incorporation of style and creativity. I always love accessories more than any other item because they tell a story about someone's personality. Before the exams started I was invited to a showing of the eyewear of SAFILO GROUP. The biggest labels in sunglasses like Gucci, Carrera, Marc Jacobs, Dior and Saint Laurent launched their newest range. The best thing was to see the styles on the runway right in front of me. The main trend seems to be reflective lenses and Havana tones. It's really good to have a first hand look at sunglasses because you have to look at the details from all angles. Lots of touching occurred.

Some of the most stylish and outstanding sunglasses for ladies and men.

Top 5 for guys:
5. Gucci: GG 1051/S (Black) - smooth edges and stylish accents with the iconic t-bar hinges.
4. Marc by Marc Jacobs: MMJ 386/S - retro colour-blocking in D-shaped frames.
3. BOSS: BOSS 0556/S - retro design in a natural palette.
2. Pierre Cardin: P.C. 6790 - retro inspired pilot shaped sunglasses with amazing detail.
1. Dior Homme: Blacktie 177S - the translucent blue acetate and aluminium frame make a look effortlessly stylish.

Top 5 for ladies:
5. Carrera by Jimmy Choo: Glitter (Black) - bold luxury.
4. Max Mara: MM Diva - distinctive shape and colour.
3. Gucci: Web Ribbon - chic smooth rounded edges.
2. Bottega Veneta: B.V. 1000/S/S - unique with the signature Intrecciato.
1. Dior: Fashion Show Sunglasses - straight off the runway, oversized butterfly shades by Raf Simons.

There were so many great lines at the showing:
Alexander McQueen, BOSS, BOSS Orange, Bottega Veneta, Carrera, Dior, Dior Homme, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Marc Jacobs, Max&Co., Max Mara, Pierre Cardin, Kate Spade and Saint Laurent Paris.
Keep reading for more pictures. If you can see me in the reflection it's because I am very skilled in the art of composition in a photo. Yes.

Now or Never

Sorry for the lack of updates, but I'm going to type up a huge chunk of stuff right now. As with this time of year, it's the wonderful exam period. Only 2 more years of this to go (hopefully). I really hate studying, it's just been so slow this semester and I can't seem to sit myself down and block out distractions. I really do think I have dumbed down but that's my fault. I haven't stimulated my mind and I have tried to avoid it. Just something really small I noticed that I haven't been playing games that can critically stimulate my mind and make me think and make me frustrated. It's because I know that in certain scenarios I will be so annoyed and I avoid it completely. Wrong mentality. Really, I should have thought about tackling the problems and trying to solve something instead of knowing that I don't want to do it and avoid that sort of anxiety. You know patience really defines a person so I've lost myself there a bit. Ok, back to studying... Although arduous now, I know I'm going to miss it because I'm the sort of person who acts very wise and pretends to enjoy the experience. Well not pretend but I tend to try and appreciate it more and then I do. I know I'll miss it because any change to me is refreshing but at the same time, a reminder of how great something else was. This kind of really hits me at my current job. I haven't been adjusting well to the new job and all in retail. I really wanted to be more involved with clothes and fashion doing retail but it's nothing like that. Retail is just selling garments. There's almost no fashion element in the job so far. I have had one register experience selling watches though and I do think that's much more what I want. I guess I just want to be associated and work with those brands. But I think I have settled on the mentality that it's just for the money right now. Okay, it's not like I make billions of dollars but it really isn't bad money for the job market right now, for something just part-time on top of study. Work is however, repetitive, non-stimulating and with a low sense of achievement everyday. I've never had a job before where I was in it just for the money. I'm always looking to fulfil my soul. The other day I got an e-mail about some fashion PR companies in New York that were looking for interns. I started daydreaming. Actually first of all I don't even know WHY I would get such e-mails because I'm all the way here, but yeah, I started daydreaming. Wouldn't it be amazing to go to New York to pursue something you've always wanted? It's just like a scene out of a movie (which I will create one day based on my memoirs - not). LOL anyway, so many things in life to me are just scenes out of a movie but they NEVER seem to end the perfect way like they do in there (so many times I can't even). But it's still fun to speculate and have a mental plan of what will I do and how I would face challenges. I was daydreaming about applying and getting it and making my way there in the belly of the beast doing something that would be fun to me. Then I just chickened out because I knew how difficult and expensive everything would be and went to sleep. Ha! Oh well, I know one day I will be ready though. When I am, I will do my best.

'It's now or never, daydreamer.'

YUI

Ever Style - Kai-aakmann SS14 Review

Kai-aakmann takes the strengths of casual wear into the new season with its cool and fresh looks. Showcased in September, the collection boasts some notable pieces in patterns and contrasting panels. The earthy palette is contrasted with brighter tones like purple and blue. Visually, these make the collection refreshing and innovative. Into the mix, asymmetrical panels and the peek of neon green add so much more flavour to the looks. The looks are very well put together with print clashing and I really liked the thick belts which visually separated the sections. It really helped in creating a well-put together showing.

I'm very excited for the new season because I do have a navy colour block jumper and a quilted top from Kai-aakmann. The structure and fitting are very relaxed, great for SS and the kaleidoscopic print is on trend and fresh for 2014. Cuffed trousers and jeans work well with the relaxed fit of the light outerwear. It's great because the jackets and blazers are both laid-back and structured. This collection is very appealing to the always stylish.
Check out some of the high res photos below.

The Cologne Diaries - DARK OBSESSION (Calvin Klein) Review

22 October 2013

Super late entry because uni just got really hectic suddenly (I don't know why, there aren't many assignments due, maybe just the stress of exams). Also, work is quite demanding, I have to go in 4 days a week and the other 3 are at uni. Anyway, I wanted to post this review a while ago.

I really wanted Calvin Klein's DARK OBSESSION when it was released earlier this year because it came with a bag. I think the bag really sold it to me at the time because I needed a holdall and I collect fragrances anyway - but then I missed out. This is my second Calvin Klein fragrance after IN2U for him which was very summery and young. I was interested in SHOCK and I loved the ad for it but I never got it.

For this one, the top note of the scent is quite recognisable and strong. The scent is very masculine. I do enjoy this one but my favourite is probably the mid note. The scent is a bit clearer.

I would have to say that the down side of the fragrance is that the top note is much stronger than the mid. This makes the fragrance feel that it's too strong when you first spray it on but it doesn't last long enough because once the top note is vaporised, the rest is hardly noticeable. To me, it's important for a fragrance to remind me that I'm wearing it. Like having subtle waffles of it throughout the day or at least an hour or two. The lack of longevity of it made it hard for me to write this actually. I wanted to write about it on the days I wear it but I often forget that I wore it or that I couldn't find anything too noticeable about it except its top note. Overall though, it scent is nice - quite fresh and it becomes woody dry.

The packaging is really nice because I love the feel of the matte finish. But DO TAKE CARE OF IT. The bottle got really scratched up by the stuff in my bag (keys and coins etc.) and now I've ruined it :(
It looked really nice with the matte finish before it got scratches all over it. I also like that it's quite flat, so it fits well in my iPad case (yes I often carry fragrances out).

MFW | 5 Trends at Milan Fashion Week - Wrap Up for SS14

The overtly sexualised Milan Fashion Week toned down quite a bit this year with more emphasis on art than previous seasons. MFW always showcase some of the most well recognised and provocative brands like DSquared2, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci. Although many labels still had sexy pieces and cutting which complimented the feminine silhouette, what I found most interesting were the very bold accessories. These statement pieces were definitely the highlight of the shows and got me checking out the photos over and over again. The great thing about having great accessories at a show is that the whole look is for sale and so well put together. Check out my other posts for London Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week.

Photos will be uploaded here.

My favourite show was probably Roberto Cavalli, followed by Versace and Giorgio Armani.