LCM | Fade into Fashion - Lou Dalton FW14 Review

A stand out in the London Collections Men for AW14 was definitely Lou Dalton's ensemble. The show showed the versatility of different materials with injections of modern elements. The creativity and clashes of ideals in the collection between farm life and contemporary style was surprisingly wearable. Lou Dalton's pieces worked with faded colours, heavy duty corduroy, sophisticated suedes and luxurious cashmere.

LCM | THE Silk Scarves - Burberry Prorsum FW14 Review

Such strong and unstructured looks from Burberry Prorsum is so perfect for LCM AW14. Autumn is the time when trees shed and it seems that the runway is doing the same while remaining warm. Oversized and unstructured pieces draped over and under create such an interesting look. The models were like flags for Burberry Prorsum. Victory of menswear at the London Collections: Men.

Bailey Nelson Eyewear - The Freshest Frames and Boutiques

Over the break I got to know a bit about Bailey Nelson Eyewear from one of their founding fathers Scott. The label offers really cool and trendy frames and sunglasses for a great price. I think I'm pretty much in love with many local businesses in Sydney just because they have so much flavour and inspiration in what they do. Bailey Nelson offers eyewear at good prices and some of the frames and styles are comparable to designer glasses like Wayne Cooper.

The most interesting thing about the sunglasses is the idea of 'cutting the crap' to offer customers with good prices and stylish designs. I rather have a few pairs of different styles and colours rather than having one that I have to wear (end up always picking something black) for a long time. Also I find the store concepts really cool. Each boutique has a different make and decor so it is actually quite fun to have a look at all their different stores. My favourite is probably the one at Westfield CBD. Hmm, or maybe their first one in Paddington on William St. Actually I can't decide because they're all so different and cool in their own way. Looking at specs is a whole new experience.

Each pair starts from $95 and all their sunglasses are all polarised. I learnt something that day: if you place two sunglasses lenses behind each other and turn 90-degrees, and they turn opaque then they're polarised. Actually I noticed the same when I turned my phone sideways. Oh yeah, each pair comes with a 'Certificate of Awesomeness'.

Bailey Nelson 

Official Website/ Shop Online

Facebook

LCM | The Layering Game - Hardy Amies FW14 Review

Modern and luxurious menswear is the game at Hardy Amies. The AW14 collection at London Collections: Men is the epitome of London mens fashion. Winter really gives everyone the opportunity to layer, playing up with textures and prints. These looks based on traditional designs and colours give the label its sophisticated style which is effortless and classy - iconic items such as suit jackets and trench coats are more 'London' than any other piece in menswear.

Contrast lapels work really well in heavily textured looks because it gives them a more crisp and clean edge. Pocket squares are trendy but the most interesting pieces are probably the textured leather bags. It's a great utilitarian size and nicely embossed. I can't wait to see the ad campaigns - they're always very inspired.

The Cologne Diaries - GUESS Night Review

23 January 2014

This fragrance is easily likeable for guys as it's quite masculine and woody. I like the top note - something more peppery but the fragrance itself doesn't last as long as I would like. The middle and base notes are almost not there, or at least I didn't actively notice it after many wears. The pepper is probably most interesting as it's quite a dry and common scent, especially from GUESS - it's similar to GUESS Seductive Homme.

I like my cologne much more interesting because I guess then it becomes associated with me among my friends and I. For a gift, GUESS Night is not a bad choice, going for a safer option.

The bottle design is simple but very interesting. A clear and blue bottle with accents which make it look very modern for a younger market.

LCM | Jonathan's Colours - Jonathan Saunders FW14 Review

Some shows at London Collections: Men boasted colours and for AW14, Jonathan Saunders did an excellent job continuing on with the bright and playful nature of clothing (as per his previous collections). Prints, colours, edges and choice of materials impact his design greatly. There was so much going on, with the print clashing and colour blocking. Meanwhile the collection stayed sophisticated with great shoes, suits and sweaters. I would like those giant speakers at home thx.

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.