SS15: Update on EMPORIO ARMANI

Don't look surprised when you see Calvin Harris on the big billboards in your favorite department store next summer. The iconic label Armani has contracted Calvin Harris to promote the label Emporio Armani. I have some mixed feelings about the way this is going. The last few years we have seen many top celebrities starring in their campaigns, such as The Beckhams, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rihanna. I am sure Calvin Harris is very pleased with the deal. It's always nice to get involved with Armani. They make beautiful clothes after all. But especially Emporio Armani was always a classy label. Now I feel like it's not that exclusive anymore. Armani is aiming for a wider range of customers. The next time I see an Armani store, close my eyes and keep walking. 

Click here for more details: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2876984/Calvin-Harris-sizzles-unveils-six-pack-Emporio-Armani-shoot.html

Celebrate in style, celebrate in velvet

Christmas is just around the corner. Please make an effort this year. Leave those cheesy sweaters in your closet. Try a velvet blazer for a change. This instantly gives you a posh look without trying to hard. Very easy to match with a nice, calm, quality shirt. You can go for a bowtie if the occasion let's you. I probably don't need to tell you this but please buy a silk bowtie.. otherwise you will look like a fool. Save that for April 1st. 

Look at this nice example: Anthony Morato 

SS15: Watch out for the red colours in men fasion!

Red colours are becoming popular in men's fashion. Judging from what I have seen on the runways red will be the new spring/summer colour. Don't know if it looks good on everyone. I always loved Dolce & Gabbana. They are one of the big names in fashion who are using a lot of red. Check this site out to get some early inspiration for next summer!

http://nowfashion.com/dolce-gabbana-menswear-spring-summer-2015-milan-8710

AW13-14: What should we wear in Autumn/Winter 2013-2014

While we are still enjoying the summer, some of us start worrying about the fall. Will it be cold? A lot of rain or even a little snow? We can not be sure about the weather. But by now we can be sure about what the trends will be in this season. Perhaps it is the most interesting season of all! Especially the transition season between a hot summer and cold fall.

Grey combined with..? 

Enough with the striking flower prints! We had our fair share this season. Some of the followers of this blog mailed me and said the could not understand why everyone was wearing flower prints in the summer of 2013. I think those people have all the reasons to be happy with the colour grey as the main colour for the comming season. While we finally get rid of the bright flower prints, grey comes in! Try to mix it with navy, burgundy or teal. We should be in for a very classy season.

 left: GIVENCHY - Oversized sweatshirt     center: A.P.C. Merino Wool sweater     right: United Colours of Bennet

The Beige Overcoat 

Everyone should have one in his closet. I mean it! This is a fashion basic. Almost nothing can give you a classier look than a beige overcoat does. So be smart, invest in this key piece. It does not really make a difference if you go for the double breasted version or the one with no visible buttons. Double breasted will be popular this season. It is just a matter of opinion if you like the buttons. Wool is our fabric of choice for the overcoat and make sure it is slim fitted.

Chester by Chester Barrie Covert Coat                                                                                      Peter Werth Long Lenght Reefer Coat

Combining the overcoat can be a problem with casual wear. A overcoat is the weapon of choice for people who wear a lot of suits, but what about combining it with casual wear? Perhaps a trenchcoat can be a good solution. You can combine it a lot easier with casual wear. A trenchcoat will do almost the same as a overcoat but gives you a lot more outs. Try to get a Burberry trench coat in the colour beige. A historical item. Need inspiration? Click here.

Elevate yourself! 

We have seen these a lot on the runways. Thicker soles. Some may think it looks a bit off and will not wear them, period! Think again. Thicker soles can be usefull, especially in the fall or winter when there is a lot of snow or mud. It can protect your shoes. The trend goes from sneakers to derby shoes.

Lanvin - Leather Brogue Boots 

House of Hounds - Ted Suede shoe

ICON: James Bond, Thomas Crown and Max Burdett A.K.A. Pierce Brosnan

Introduction

Born in Ireland, well known for playing James Bond in several '007' themes and admired by many for his smooth style. Everyone who is interested in style or anything that has to do with should watch a movie with Pierce Brosnan in it. The man deserves a crown for playing slick caracters. Good guy, bad guy, Pierce can pull it off. But always with his distinctive style.

This film and style icon is going thru tough times to say the least. His adopted daughter Charlotte Harris died last June. Charlotte fought Ovarian cancer with dignity but lost. This is the second woman Pierce lost to Ovarian cancer. His late wife and the mother of Charlotte Harris also died of Overian cancer. Sad times for Pierce.

Humble beginnings

As you can sometimes hear Pierce Brosnan was not born in the USA as many people suspect. Pierce was born in Drogheda, Ireland. That is were he spent his early years. His father was a furniture maker. Nothing indicated Pierce would be one of Ireland`s most recognized people. He droped out of school when he was 16. By the time he was 20, he developed an interest in movies and applied  for Theather Studies. From there it took off. He first appeared in ´The Mirror Crack'd' and did several British TV programs.

The James Bond era 

'Bond.. James Bond' and 'Vodka Martini, Shaken, not stirred'. Two of the most famous lines in movie history. Sean Connery, Rodger Moore and Daniel Craig do a fine job playing James Bond. But no one can do it better than Pierce Brosnan. Of course, we all admire James. He has style, cool cars to play with and is almost always surrounded with stunning woman. But Pierce Brosnan really gave James soul and style. Pierce made 4 appearances as James Bond. The first '007' movie was GoldenEye in 1995. The last one was Die Another Day in 2002. Seven epic years of beining Bond.

The Thomas Crown Affair, a must see 

Many people aspire to be successful, wealthy and goodlooking. When you have all that the world is yours. You can get anything you want. Or not? Imagine that..

That is basically the story in this movie. Pierce Brosnan plays a bored billionaire tycoon Thomas Crown in the 'Thomas Crown Affair'. Thomas Crown wants a certain painting but his offers on the painting have been declined. So he decides to steal it. Then the games begin.

Many people think this is the best movie Pierce Brosnan ever did. Brosnan produced the movie himself. He made the character very slick. The movie is a remake of The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) by Norman Jewison.

Quotes 

“It never felt real to me. I never felt I had complete ownership over Bond. Because you'd have these stupid one-liners - which I loathed - and I always felt phony doing them“


“I don't see myself as the Hunk of the Month“

“I had to have some balls to be Irish Catholic in South London. Most of that time I spent fighting“


“My mother was the prettiest woman in the town. He was a bit older than her. They made me. And he split“

SS13: Get nautical.. Get dapper

Everyone seems to wear striped shirts this summer. In de early advertisement campaigns of the SS13 collections the horizontal stripe was prominent. The most of you will remember the Dolce & Gabbana campaign, it was around that time the tax issues occurred with these fashion wizards. The campaign was full of striping in a nostalgic Sicilian setting.

Dolce & Gabbana (Spring/Summer 2013)

The 'Breton stripe' gives you that classic look. It was first used by the french navy in the 19th century. Then, after a while all the other workers at sea took notice of the stripe and adopted it. The original 'Breton stripe' design used only 21 stripes. 21 Stripes to remember Napoleon`s 21 victories. In the 20th century it was first used in fashion. Coco Chanel used it in her collection of 1917 (Nautical Collection). In the 50`s it was introduced in film. James Dean, icon pur sang, wore the Breton stripe in the movie 'Rebel Without a Cause' and made it popular in mainstream. Top brands like Gucci, Givenchy and Jean Paul Gaultier use the Breton stripe quite often. The Breton stipe is percieved as posh because it was frequently used by these top brands.

    

Early use of the Breton stripe

James Dean in 'Rebel Without a Cause'

Although you should look out for these shirts if you are weighing more than you should, it can be a good way to look classy this summer. Especially this summer nautical elements should be key pieces in everybody`s wardrobe. While the summer is underway several big shops are already discounting their collections. Now is the time to find a classy bargain!

Here are some interesting options:  

1. Asos

2. Mango 

3. Todd Snyder

4. Balmain

Details:

1. ASOS Stripe Polo available at ASOS for €23.86   
2. Striped knit sweater available at Mango for £45.99 
3. Striped Cotton-Jersey Henley T-Shirt available at MR Porter for €160,-
4. Metallic Striped Wool-Blend sweater available at MR Porter for €560,-

Remarkable: Haute couture becomes Hout Couture

The sun is out! Everybody is enjoying himself and is trying to stand out with a special pair of sunglasses. In our last item we discussed some very cool options for you to wear this summer. After we posted the item we came across a very unique brand in the wonderfull world of sunglasses.

If you are tired of the well known brands like Armani, Ray Ban and Dior when it comes to sunglasses, try this: Hout Couture. Hout means wood and that`s what it is all about! They have used real wood for their sunglasses. Their is only one thin layer of protection over the wood. Therefore it looks really smooth. This brand originated in Cape Town (South Africa) is like no other in the world dominated by Italian brands.

Hout Couture wants to be more than a fashion statement, they are making life statements. For every pair that is sold, a new three is planted. So you contribute to the environment by getting one of these. Isn`t that cool?

Want one? Get one at http://www.houtcouture.com/collection/

Verdict: approved!

Hout Couture (source www.houtcouture.com)