Picture postcard: Channelling Pablo

Hey-ho Steve

Today's image is courtesy of my new favourite street style blog of this exact moment, Stockholm Streetstyle, and any rambling that takes place is courtesy of my poorly, poorly brain. I'm going to be completely honest with you here: I'm probably just loving this quite so much because it reminds me so much of our man Pablo Picasso.

This is such a good look for the mixed-up weather we're having at the moment. The lightweight trousers make a nice alternative to shorts and means when it starts raining (again) you don't look so ill-prepared. I think the bag really works here too, somehow toughening up the look (it would be ideal for stashing away a scarf, too, for if the weather got REALLY mean). It's the top half of the look I like the most though: really like that stripy top (and looking for one similar for myself at the moment) and completely enamoured with the colour of that jacket, it's just lovely. I do very much like his hair too, though I'm not entirely convinced that it totally suits him. I can't believe I'm saying this but I think I've grown a bit tired of the medium-length shaggy indie hair that almost every boy seems to have nowadays- short,sharp haircuts like this make very refreshing change.

Anyway, I'm going to drag myself to bed now. I hope your weekend at home is going well and I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say on this matter when you get back on Sunday.

Bisous,

EJ

Hey Eliza,

Oh I apologise for my silence. I am chomping at the bit to get back into blogging action. First things first Stockholm Streetstyle is a great site and I really enjoyed the sartorialist's recent trip. However, when I went to Stockholm I really didn't see as many interestingly dressed guys. I saw many well dressed guys but very safe and at times very dull. That said, the sartorialist found some great dresses so my style eye must be a little short sighted or something whereas the sartorialist has 20-20 vision.

Now onto the image and the reference to one Pablo Picasso...Pablo is THE Man (although, upon a recent quotation search I stumbled across this, which I'm sure you wouldn't approve of... "Computers are useless. They only give you answers"). I've dabbled with the Parisian look and I love it. This look would be complemented by a small weekend bag as opposed to the satchel currently worn. I managed to find the perfect black and white horizontal stripe t shirt in Hurwendeki (back when it was my favourite shop, sadly the amount of menswear on offer has fallen in recent months!). The jacket works really for this guy, the fit and colour are perfect. Like you say this is great dressing for the upcoming months where it can be hot one minute, cold the next with a monsoon downpour during the interim. The trousers are cool but I tend to avoid light coloured trousers mainly because of the high probability that I will spill something on them in the first few moments of wearing them! The overall look would be better if he was wearing similar trousers but in a darker colour that complimented his jacket. Now onto the haircut, I think the shortness of it has been forced upon him due to a receding hairline but it looks good and I doubt think there's too many other options for this chap.

I will leave you with another example of Pablo's wise words and of course a lovely image of the great man.

"Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working."

Look at him here with his thick stripes and deep in thought pose. He is everyone's dream grandad.

JACKETS: PART 2: Everybody In Great Grey Coats!

A follow-up post to my grey coats post, part I from the other day, in descending order of prostitution location.


Turnin' Tricks At Soho House:

(Apprx $1248 USD, Alexander Wang, Brownsfashion.com)

Via Catwalkqueen. This coat by Alexander Wang, who is fucking everywhere right now is a work of art. I wouldn't know whether to wear it (and risk dripping coffee on it, as I so inevitably do on the walk to the train at least two out of five mornings a week) or have it mounted and framed and hang it above my bed.

Turnin' Tricks At The Time:

($594, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Bleuclothing.com)

Also a thing of pristine beauty, although nowhere near as gorgeous as the Alexander Wang jacket. It could be winter forever if I had that to keep me warm.


Turnin' Tricks At The Hotel On Rivington:

($232, Plastic Island, Blondette.com)

So simple and little girl chic without being too barfy cutesy pie.


Turnin' Tricks At The Times Square Hilton:

($139, Asos.com)

I absolutely love this jacket, both because and despite the fact that it's named for my favorite trashionista namesake, Lindsay Lohan. And it's waaaaay cheaper than a Mike & Chris, which it totes looks like.



Turnin' Tricks In A Port Authority Bathroom:

($68, Roxy, Tillys.com)

Roxy would usually never be my thing, but this plaid grey coat is too cute. Tillys and Roxy -- who knew?

Footwear Friday

Okay, here's a Freaky Friday Fun Fact: I really don't like ice cream much. Something about the salt content and how all that soda makes me crave gallons of water for a freaking fortnight. But what I DO like is cone heels. So, let's begin, shall wes?

Ahhh the Lanvin cone heel -- the daddy mack of them all. J'adore! They're not easy to get your hands on, but I did find a pair of the blue ones, and if you're a size 40, you're in luck.

($567, Lanvin, Marissacollections.com)

Sure, they're totally unwalkable, but if you're spending that kinda cash on heels, you probably can afford cabs. There are also a handful of pairs on eBay.

($278, Hugo, Zappos)

A gorgeous alternative to Lanvin, and they're patent leather too! Two trends for half the price of one!

($75, Na Na, Piperlime)

These are gorgeous -- and gorgeously priced -- in black too, but the olive is really unique.

($125, Vince Camuto, Piperlime)

The snakeskin, peep toe and chunky heel combine to make this shoe a sexy stunner.

($398, Tapeet, Zappos)

Another great chunky-heeled version in a metallic.

($28, Delicious, Lulusfashionlounge.com)

Simple, sexy, super affordable = sold.

($17.99, eBay)

Really can't argue with the price here.

($175, Report, Piperlime)

Simply beautiful.

($171, Fornarina, Zappos)

I'm not too into snakeskin, but I could certainly make an exception for these.

($138, daniblack, Zappos)

And I could absolutely make an exception for these...

($201, Via Spiga, Zappos)

Love the cut of these. They're sorta '80s rich-girl prepster in the best possible way.

($72, Pink Studio, Lulusfashionlounge)

How can you even tolerate how cute the polka dos are? Normally rosy tan and light blue is so vomitoriously kountry kitchen, but it works so perfectly here. A great work shoe.

($185, Miss Sixty)

I could probably do a week's worth of posts on Oxfords alone, but these are also great work wear.

($442, Costume National, Zappos)

As are these. Ultimate power bitch banker heel. Woo!

($89, Thom Browne)

And her opposite, the fun-lovin' hippie kid sister who comes to visit for the weekend and leaves crumbs everywhere.

($171, Fornarina, Zappos)

Fun and festive.

($25, Abate For Payless)

My Lord I love high-end/low-rent collabos!


... And finally... my two faves...

($175, Report Signature, Piperlime)

Oh yes. Yes yes yes. Oh yes indeed.


... And...

($625, Pucci, Net-a-porter.com)

Possibly the most best shoes ever in the universe and history of all shoes forever and ever amen.

Calvin Klein's Secret Obsession: Not So Secret, Actually When You Spray It Like Ten Times In A Row. Oops.

The friendly folks in charge of Calvin Klein's fragrance PR sent me over an advance of the new Secret Obsession fragrance -- the one Eva Mendes went nudie for and then the pilgrims over at FCC Puritan HQ got all Victorian on us and banned that commercial, probs because it reminded them of the sex they weren't having.

Anyway, Secret Obsession is STRONG, people. Because a lot of the fragrances I prefer tend to be sorta weak, I tend to spritz more than a few times. Bad idea. I nearly suffocated myself and my houseguests after I sprayed this one like six or seven times. This is a seriously musky, mysterious (hence "SECRET") fragrance, so be forewarned: just a dab'll do ya, kay?

It evokes a very glam, old Hollywood, sorta Cheetah Club, late-1950's feeling (I've been watching a ton of Mad Men -- think Christina Hendricks as Joan Holloway). Very musky and erotic, with very strong notes of orange, jasmine and mucho tuberose, very seductive, nighttime fragrance. Don't wear this to high holiday services, okay, or else you'll have lots more repenting to do.

Check out Mimi Mimi Frou Frou's highly sophisticado review of the fragrance.

It's available in 1 oz, 1.7 oz and 3.4 oz sizes, and honestly, I'd probably recommend the smallest size because a little goes a LONG way here, ladies.

Eva Mendes- Secret Obsession Banned Commercial
by CelebriNet2

A conversation wirh Aitor Throup

Whenever I mention Throup, Susie never fails to mention that he's good looking.

As mentioned in my previous post I was fortunate enough to listen (and scribble notes) to a conversation with Sarah Mower and Aitor Throup at the V&A. It was an intimate setting, in room 40 of one of my favourite buildings in London (where one can wander for hours...or just go to the ornate foodhalls and have a scone or two...), just Aitor, Sarah, a laptop and 30 odd people (including the inspirational Charlie Porter) listening intently.

The sentence which sticks out from the aforementioned conversation is "Artists create problems, designers solve them", Aitor couldn't recall who had said this originally (Google didn't help me fnd the true source either but who cares really?), he has however adopted it for himself. After hearing him talk about his work you really can see how he is both an artist and designer, solving the problems his mind creates with focus and attention to detail and thirst for processes - his comic book scrawlings transform into reality for the runway (or however he so happens to choose to display them). Throup gave great insight into his design process and what he said only made me marvel at him more. Menswear for me isn't as trend led as womenswear, it needs designers like Throup who approach the design process in a different way, pushing textiles and techniques in new directions...challenging the typical and accepted way of how a jacket should be made.

Throup's comic book drawings evolve in to fashion pieces through moulding and sculptural processes.

Mower seemed desperate to discuss Throup's background whereas the man himself gave the impression (albeit extremely politely and eloquently) that he had said it all before but nevertheless went on to describe his youth and how it might have shaped his view on the world and most importantly for us, his design aesthetic. Throup was born in Argentina and lived there up to the age of seven, he then moved to Madrid with his family and stayed there for five years before moving to Burnley. Argentina and Madrid to Burnley. I've never been to Burnley myself but know that it's a northern town and it's not the best place to be when you're different. There can be little doubt that the racist tension of Burnley informed his work on some level but it was the passionate, devoted folowing of the Burnley Football Club which had the greater effect.

Burnely FC - a crowd which inspired a youthful Throup and still does today

As mentioned previously, Throup's MA collection at the RSA was titled "When Football Hooligans Become Hindu Gods”. It is a three-dimensional comic that communicates the story of redemption and transcendence told through fabric structures that are based on a platform of the football casual.

Phil Thornton's book on the 'Casuals' - the cover image showing one of Osti's finest designs.

Due to football hooliganism within this country during the 80's, the clothes which were adopted by 'the casuals' have had lasting associations with brands such as Stone Island and CP Company. Within this island (far greater than the rest of Europe) these brands were the labels of choice of the hooligan and have become something of a taboo. These brands have not had the respect and attention that they deserve. Throup has made me think twice about them and instilled a desire to read up on the subject. Throup left the audience with a piece of news, he has just signed up with Umbro (one of the biggest footballing brands in the UK) in a creative consultant role, I look forward to seeing his influence on a brand which was an important part of my youth. I hope he continues to both create and solve many more problems...

Aitor Throup related news:

• I've just been informed by EJ that the Throup design for Topman's Black Trouser project have now sold old out...I was too slow. These trousers were the first Throup designed product to be released and I missed out on them. Has anyone managed to get a pair?
• The Independent ran an interesting piece on Throup, the piece can be read here.

August's Style Inspiration

MICHELLE WILLIAMS

When it comes to this month's style inspiration, I have quite mixed feelings. Not because I doubt the gorgeous Michelle Williams' style (we all have to admit that she definitely knows how to get dressed in the morning!), but because I feel quite bad posting some of these photos. In general, I don't really like to post photos where celebrities are clearly being followed by the paparazzi, and where they seem very uncomfortable and distressed. After Heath Ledger's death, both Michelle and their daughter, Matilda, have been a feeding frenzy for the paparazzi and I must say that I feel quite sad about of this. They should be left alone, and not be harassed to this extent.

Still, I have always been told to find the positive in everything negative, and the only thing positive thing about Michelle being taken lots of pictures of is that all of us stylehunting people can be inspired by her many outfits. Her style isn't all new and original like for instance Mary-Kate Olsen (though Michelle does own a few shirts that I bet MK would love to get her hands on) or all out there like Dita Von Teese. Instead, Michelle is the "everyday it-girl"; someone who's style is easy to follow, yet still someone who oozes a certain charm and beauty which is not that easy to follow. I just really wanted to make her August's Style Inspiration because she did an outstanding job in the Boy by Band Of Outsiders lookbook earlier this month, and because I do think that she is one of the few celebrities who's absolutely true to her own personal style.

And I just have to say that I do believe that Matilda will grow up to be just as stylish as her mother is and her father was. I have never seen someone look gorgeous in crocs before I saw the photo (no.8) of Matilda wearing a pair. She is adorable!

Images: JustJared, The Fashion Spot, Boy.Bandofoutsiders.com

Men Represent: Style Icons of yore

When Steve and I first met (way back in 2002, it feels like a century ago) his style reminded me of a certain Mr David Beckham. This was no accident and it was no bad thing. David Beckham always seemed comfortable in his clothes (once he'd gotten past the overly-matching-his-wife stage) while continually looking sharp. As Steve and I got to know each other, our shared admiration for Mr B continued: we went shopping for suit jackets (to be worn with jeans, naturally- we drew the line at sarongs though), we googled for new pictures of the man and admired his love of tailoring.

The thing we loved the most was that hair. Yes, it changed a fair few times, but when it was good, DAMN it was good. The main thing that Steve learnt from DB's hair was how appealing touchable hair was (I'm not exagerrating when I say that the ladies couldn't stop themselves from stroking Steve's hair). Behold!

Apologies for the terrible scan- yes, this photo was taken before I owned a digital camera - dark times indeed.