i l o v e DIESEL

Simply some of the best ad's that Diesel has ever created. The text & imagery just looks really good together and i like its boldness.
I think my favourite line is 'SMART LISTENS TO THE HEAD. STUPID LISTENS TO THE HEART' 
just because of the sheer romantic-ness...which is amazing. 
Some very inspiring photographs...that you can't help but evaluate and the humour/meanings behind them. Utterly smart, brilliant and a bit ridiculous but nonetheless fun and forward-thinking. 

R.I.P Malcolm Mclaren, for MFN

‘I was excited by this idea of taking culture to the streets and changing the whole way of life, using culture as a way of making trouble’.

Ever the inspirational anarchist, Malcolm McLaren viewed life and perspective on a completely different level to others. It was his sheer enthusiasm and fearlessness that propelled the likes of The Sex Pistols into their glimmering limelight all them years ago. Many a fashion maverick, punk lover of music and the late 1970’s London underground youth culture, stopped in their tracks last week to find that beloved Malcolm McLaren dubbed as the ‘Godfather’ of punk, had sadly passed at the age of 64. I myself, was really sorrowful at hearing the news, I found him and Viv in the good old days to be such a fantastic and vivacious pair of talents, totally irreplaceable if you ask me.

Most folks have heard about Malcolm, mostly for his important role manufacturing and marketing the raw rebellious attitudes of Punk, which he channeled through one of the most iconic bands in the late 20^th century, obviously it is hard to even mention Malc’s name without The Sex Pistols. They were like a few maybe too many writhing peas trapped in a pod, full on clashing, confrontations and an unashamed sensibility of  revolt. Yep, that was them all over.

Malcolm’s prominence within music history has ultimately overshadowed his indeed pivotal and creative role within fashion. Going back quite a few years now, to be precise it was 1965 when both Viv and Malcolm first met. Of Malcolm Vivienne once said ‘Malcolm’s a one-off. He was fascinating and mad, and it was though I was a coin and he showed me the other side’.

You could say that the pair got on like a house on fire, Vivienne was young, naïve and a conformist but with ambitious ideas and a penchant for creativity. Malcolm was somewhat opposed to traditionalist views and very self-aware with a political agenda. The culmination of these traits provided the perfect catalyst, for their radical yet ultimately lucrative business in the form of a fashion boutique that was opened at 430 King’s Road.

In 1971, Malcolm and Viv opened ‘LET IT ROCK’ which initially payed homage to old school Rock & Roll and Teddy boys, selling records, fifties memorabilia and original clothing. Reviving this iconic style, the pair wanted to steer away from the bohemia and current hippie-esque movement in the early seventies. Looking back it was possibly one of the most smartest things to do, they were literally establishing anti-fashion that was going against everything culture and fashion wise at the time.

Vivienne stated ‘What changed our lives forever was when Malcolm had the idea to sell rock 'n roll records to trendy customers’.

Over the next 9 years, they consecutively closed and re-opened four more boutiques Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die (1972), SEX (1974), Seditionaries(1977) and Worlds End (1980), which still gladly retains its likelihood and spot today at 430 King’s Road.

 Throughout this decade Viv and Malcolm experimented with customization and the D.I.Y ethos of self styling, Vivienne inevitably had the creative flair to chop and change clothing and Malcolm I suppose was a sort of fashion consultant. Once Viv’s creations had that provoking element that Malcolm loved, that was it, the sewing and designing fleeted and collections really developed from there. 

‘Even though it was the 70s, we found old stocks of clothes that had never been worn from the 50s and took them apart. I started to teach myself how to make clothes from that kind of formula’.

By far my favorite shop out of them all was ‘SEX’, it was shocking, confrontational and extremely provoking towards society and the real world. After all it did have gigantic pink lettering above the door  spelling out the taboo that literally stared at you in the face. All that leather, PVC, zips in the most un-inconspicuous places and those iconic printed t-shirts emblazoned with naked cowboys and rude slurs that only a radical youth could carry off. Amazing if you ask me…and so pioneering I love all that drama…the hype…everything about SEX was pretty mind-blowing!

Always very self-assured Malcolm admits, ‘The Pistols were like my work of art. They were my canvas’.

However The Sex Pistols weren’t the only band to front and model Vivienne’s creations, in the 1980’s Malcolm put together New Wave band ‘Bow Wow Wow’ to initially promote Vivienne’s new romantic pirate-wear, that consisted of squiggle print blouses, leather strapped slouchy boots and cotton pantaloons. Anabella Lwin fronted the band with her quirky side shaven head, flowing Mohican and braids, which was a great look paired with Viv’s attire. Malcolm also had a brief stylistic stint with The New York Dolls in the early 1970’s, but nothing really fashion major.

This partnership was completely unstoppable and  I personally think it was the best creative combined talent that the late 20^th century had ever experienced. Not only was Malcolm a great fashion advisor, he was passionate about music and art direction too, he designed and styled all the layouts of the shops even the galleon style sloping floor at Worlds End.

All in all they were really great together, I love looking at photos of them together in the early days, they just have this energy about them, a truly special bond that can be seen through the work life and love life they shared together.  I’m getting all deep right now about it… but it’s so true.

Later in his life Malcolm ultimately released some solo music material, listening to the actual songs themselves they aren’t too bad, it’s the ideologies behind the music that is the most interesting focal point. He has this ongoing charisma that you just can’t take away from the guy.

A humorous attempt to music for me would be Malcolm’s ‘Buffalo Girls’ which boasts a great visual to watch and is fantastic documentation of early 80’s hip hop as well as culmination of other music influences/genres that Malcolm was passionate about.  The video also features some of Malcolm and Vivienne’s collection worn by the buffalo girls, although I can’t seem to distinguish which collection as they had Nostalgia of Mud, Punkature and Witches all going around the time of 83. 

Malcolm was a innovative and unique soul that is really ultimately hard to come by. His legacy will live on, his influence in music will never be forgotten only ever commended and his role within fashion too particularly his collaboration with Vivienne are so ideal that they were and always will be ahead of their time. Dare I say a youth will never look at a safety pin in quite the same way again…to only imagine it through the queens nose.

R.I.P Malcolm X

I WANT THESE NEW FEET PLEASE!!!

POSSIBLY & probably the BEST shoes i have ever seen and will see for a long time...courtesy of Comme Des Garcons...i need them now and quick!!!

STREET STYLE MENSWEAR article for MFN!!!

Just as eco chic is becoming more apparent in our ever-evolving fashionable lives, street style is having an increasingly large affect on the way in which we dress ourselves. In the fashion industry particularly, designers are now sourcing inspiration and constantly trend spotting, hip whereabouts and cities, for unique figures in the style stakes. It’s now the norm to take a leaf out of someone else’s fashion book and create a concept inspired by an individual who wears it well.

The latest Menswear collection from Japanese powerhouse Comme Des Garcons Homme SS/10 seems to have demonstrated this exact creative styling ethos. Clad in a youthful juxtaposition of suiting, knitwear, kilts, baseball cardigans, waistcoats and t-shirts, this collection sure is explosive in terms of colour and energy. A vast array of fabrics, prints and patterns such as tweed, checks, plaid, patterned knits, denim and an unconventional addition of the silk tie were featured in garments.

All of these striking materials were cleverly combined through the process of patchwork, which ultimately ties the collection together in layers, strips and blocks of contrasting colour and pattern. The palette echo’s that of a rainbow, with almost every colour on the spectrum making an appearance, from acidic bright yellows to primary reds and blues paired with shiny steel grey, orange and the occasional salmon pink.

Bold, striking and smart this collection exudes attitude, unconventionality and a hint of late eighties early nineties preppy gone wrong. Garcon’s fashionable look is considerably grungy; with visual references to street styles formerly worn by Teddy boys via the two pieces suits, turn-ups and side buckle brothel creepers, which have had a somewhat contemporary twist with two-tone acid bright coloured leather.

A character that indeed wears his well is Duckie from Pretty In Pink circa 1986, whose style bears a remarkable resemblance to this particular catwalk collection. Duckie personifies an eccentric youth, whose style revolves around thrift store finds and a penchant for Teddy boy attire.

Throughout most of the movie he is seen wearing a variety of preppy jackets, in coloured tweeds and plaid, with long front lapels, sewn on patches, cuffs rolled up and all. He pairs his with quirky patterned shirts, layered underneath silky waistcoats and accessorises with western bolo neckties to give a unique look. Just like Garcon’s guys, Duckie has his trousers rolled up to sport a pair of white leather low crepe sole pointed brothel creepers that are unashamedly beautiful. I want those shoes!!!

Surfers and Skaters alike, Garcon’s collection also showcases attire that references these comfortable and desirable wares, with the addition of Hawaiian style floral prints cut into harem crotch shorts and trousers to ensure a baggy fitting silhouette.

One of my favourite Menswear collections by far this year, I love the interesting and unexpected brilliance behind the attention to detail in Garcon’s work. Silk ties for example have been strategically integrated into formal jackets to create lively depictions of boldness through a DIY approach to stitch and pattern. Pockets have humorously been sewn inside out on shirts to provoke mismatched elements that cleverly steer away from the norm.

It is these details that hint in the collection eco wear, re-cycling and ethics, as the stitch techniques particularly to do with patchwork, are incredibly easy to achieve if you have some old fabrics lying around and are handy with a needle and thread. The models can’t help but represent to me youthful street swaggering eco warriors dressed in a psychedelic mish mash of anti-fashion. Eccentric, bold, smart, innovative and most of all very very beautiful.

FLORENCE THE BEAUT

WOAH! prettylicious.

Bringing back the UNION jack

PRETTY ACE jacket, nice tat & Fred Perry polo too.

SS/10 Smith & Unique article for MFN

Ready to wear it like a man?

Spring is here, the weather is starting to warm up ever so slightly and we are finally getting some much needed glimpses of the sunshine. You’d expect me, to say here, start un-packing your cotton summer dresses and florals, nah…think again and outside the box! It appears that this season many designers have taken a somewhat masculine approach to womens wear and have essentially ditched the clichéd girlie look.

Outfits with a colourful attitude and boyish charm we seen on the runway for Paul Smith’s Ready-To-Wear Spring/Summer 2010 collection. Models were strikingly suited and booted, with masculine twists on feminine style tailoring. A modestly warm palette with sunshine yellows, navy, dusky pinks and oranges, cooled down by the occasional neutral cream and icy blue. Tapered leg trousers were cleverly mismatched with three button blazers, pastel shirts and contrasting leather brogues.

Stripy ties complete with tie-pins, waistcoats, bowler hats and even the occasional top pocket handkerchief were present in Smith’s collection. Every piece was effortlessly tailored in block contrasting colours that screamed English eccentric meets businesswoman meets spunky town city girl.

A youthful approach to make-up was also considered on the runway with a natural complexion heightened by a statement vivid lip

From suited and booted to a new take on our old fave the baggy jean. I bet it’s so refreshing for you to hear that this season you can actually steer away from the sexy slimline skinny jean and veer towards something a little more comfortable?!! Yes! I am speaking the truth! It’s back!! The baggy boyfriend jean is here again and hopefully to stay. No more squeezing your calves, thighs and bum into denim and having to jump up and down in the changing room to fix the zip and fasten the damn top button.

Seen on another Ready-To-Wear runway for Spring/Summer 2010, Topshop Unique showcased a fantastic selection of denim with a very playful fashion forward approach to a grungier more lived in looking jean. Tousled haired models stomped in patched, scratched, ripped, rolled and the stitched, Topshop denims have never looked so distressed!

Worn on the hips and styled with tight rubber leggings and cycling shorts, this stylistic look gives a new take on a boyish silhouette for a sexier slouchier jean this spring.

Off the catwalk and onto the street, have fun experimenting with masculine styling, mixing up looks with bold layers and contrasting fabrics to give an individual look.

Similar pieces in the catwalk shows can be found in all good second hand shops in Manchester. Oxfam Originals is particularly good for jackets, basics and original one off hats. Vintage jeans can be picked up in places like Cow and Blue rinse. For swanky style brogue shoes high street retailers Miss Selfridge, Office and Kurt Geiger have great ranges of styles and colours.