NO. 44 MENSWEAR BRAND

No. 44 is a new menswear brand launched by LCF Tailoring Graduates Katrin Salem and Sam Rook. They are experimenting with classic menswear style and playing around with their designs to create something fresh and unique, a form of experiment that also holds strong elements of street style.

The collection preview shows masculinity, consideration of the male silhouette and sharp edges which all work nicely together to perceive a timeless range of designs. As I study each garment I can see a kind of architecture to each one that shows how much attention has been paid towards detail.

I'll be looking forward to what No. 44 have in store for the future.

DL

THE DEVIL MAKES WORK FOR IDOL THUMBS

After months of sending endless emails and applying to various publications for writing positions, I am pleased to say that I am now a fashion writer for IDOL Magazine.

IDOL is one of my favourite publications, personally I feel like I can relate so much to it and it is completely on my wavelength. That is something that is very important for me when writing and contributing whatever it may be is concerned. I like to feel a connection with the vision, the aim and the inspiration that goes into the magazine. 

With IDOL, I get exactly that. It holds a strong sense of individuality, a quality that separates it from other quirky publications - an attitude almost that perceives it as a superior force. Nothing about IDOL is dated, it isn't particularly current either - but it hits the bullseye straight away. That's the beauty of it, for all the creative individuals in the world that have a vision slightly different from what we see in a modern fashion magazine, it's spot on. 

I feel privileged to be contributing and I'm beyond excited to working with the IDOL team and for everything it has to offer. I'll be posting updates about my time with the publication (and Boys By Girls!) and anything that us worth sharing here on the blog.

DL

NASIR MAZHAR / READY-TO-WEAR BIZARRE

Fashion designer Nasir Mazhar is preparing to release his first ready-to-wear collection. His menswear collection was showcased at London Men's Collections earlier this year and since then Mazhar has had major recognition.

The inspiration all comes from what Mazhar finds wearable for himself, despite how outrageous the collection may seem. His designs are labelled 'sportswear' but he states the collections are anything but that, he simply envisions wearable garments that are suitable for a specific taste.

Redefining the modern 'tracksuit', Mazhar takes his own approach on how he would like these particular types of garments to be perceived for his own wearable use - which then transpires to a wider range of others out there who share the same desire. Clever!

Autumn/Winter 13

Spring/Summer 13

DL

BOYS BY GIRLS.

Today I had the pleasure of being invited to the home of photographer and editor-in-chief of Boys By Girls magazine, Cecilie Harris. It was great to meet and learn a little more about her vision as a photographer and the aim she has with the Boys By Girls publication.

Harris is an extraordinary artistic woman, she perceives the male form in a natural, gentle and gracious way. There is no intention of creating anything sexual or erotic. It's all about catching the innocence, the truth, the curiosity, the beauty and the youth that lies within the male models she focuses on.

Combining fashion and portraiture, forms of art are created and without sounding too enthusiastic - Harris' work is simply quite fascinating.

Here is the exciting part - after our meeting today I will be with the publication as a fashion writer over the next couple of months. I feel privileged to be working alongside such an intriguing artist (I refer to her as an artist because I really do see her as a visionary).

I'm looking forward to having a bigger insight into Boys By Girls, there is so much more than just a publication and a variety of beautiful boys - there is true passion and an explosive vision that I think we've only just witnessed the beginning of.

LOOK BACK AT SPRING 13 COLLECTIONS.

Spring/Summer is fast approaching, the outside temperatures are rising and the skies are finally clearing up. So today I felt like having a recap on some of the Spring 2013 menswear collections that caught my eye the most.

Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang takes a slick approach to this collection with his use of detail and clean cuts. He stays away from the typical bright colour palette of Spring and introduces something much darker. There is also a strong influence of sportswear throughout the collection, shorts combined with heavy jumpers and jackets.

Burberry Prorsum 

Christopher Bailey is well prepared for showers this Spring, raincoats and waterproofs being the main focus of the SS13 collection. When rain is mentioned, melancholy comes to mind. Although Bailey's use of eye catching metallic's goes against everything we feel once the heavens open - and that certainly isn't electric blue or shocking pink. Bailey pulls it off well and gives us a ray of light for when those dull clouds emerge. 

Christopher Kane

Personally I believe that not many can do it better than Christopher Kane when it comes to menswear fashion, his collections never fail to mesmerize me with his surrealistic influences and abstract prints. As expected, I knew the Spring 13 collection was going to be an eye catcher. 

Dries Van Noten

I can see a big influence in this collection for men's style this season, the camouflage prints, use of nylon and light colours - all combined to create a very appealing Spring 13 menswear collection. Dries Van Noten bares masculinity in mind when it comes to his designs and despite elements of femininity hiding somewhere in there, it still holds a very manly feel. I love the orange in particular, it works so well against the whites - definitely noted for my own style this season.

ACNE

Like Alexander Wang, ACNE Studios also seem to be leaning towards the darker side this season. Every piece from ACNE will always be a staple piece - signature shades, clean cuts and the mysterious look most men like to include in their personal style. ACNE tick all the boxes for me - although there isn't any change there.

Balenciaga

Japanese influences are key for this Spring 13 menswear collection - the shapes, textures, fabrics and floral prints are what stand out most. A clean and sharp collection is delivered by Balenciaga and although it isn't screaming "summer" there are pieces here that work whatever the season.

TOM FORD AW13 LOOKBOOK.

Tom Ford delivers a classic, timeless and fresh look with his AW13 collection lookbook. Best known for reviving glamour in fashion, Ford does just that with his simple yet unique menswear pieces. 

As I look through the collection I grasp a strong feel of the early 20th Century and I instantly feel as though I have been taken back gently through time - an element of nostalgia at its most gracious. His use of fur implies only one question - is this something we'll be seeing a lot of this Autumn/Winter? 

Classic tailoring, layering, dashing suits and simple knitwear pieces are all just some of what we can see throughout this beautiful collection. Ford is bringing back the classic look of menswear, whilst men's fashion is currently evolving at a fast pace and becoming as extravagant as ever - he clearly feels the need to stay put and take a direction of his own. Personally I don't think anyone else could do it better (with the exception of Valentino of course!)

NEXT LEVEL PLATFORMS.

Statement footwear is huge this season, something that was once considered simple and irrelevant for men's style. Whatever you're wearing, footwear is the key to bringing everything else to life.

Something in particular that caught my attention is the new steel cap shoes that Underground have just released into their Berwick Street, London store. Let's face it, we're all kind of over the whole platform phase - it was cool but it's hardly a fashion statement now. 

However I feel as though these beauties are the next level of "platformed footwear" - say goodbye to creepers, these bad boys are in town! (Did anyone particularly LOVE creepers anyway?)