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Statistics |
| Unique Visitors: 0 |
| Total Unique Visitors: 2312439 |
| Visitors Out: 10254 |
| Total Visitors Out: 20714 |
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| Virr: An Aussie Accessories Invasion. |
| 2010-10-13 11:46:02 |
Whilst online shopping has expanded in earnest, from its humble beginnings (Natalie Massenet once reckoned people called her the 'crazy lady', with the internet idea) to its now seemingly limitless heights, it's sometimes easy to forget there are several independents striving to survive within a market dominated by the majors.
One such boutique, The Unconventional, has just recently launched and I'm hoping it'll garner enough support to continue its curation of well-crafted, slightly off-kilter but not unwearably so, clothing and accessories from some of fashion's most exciting but largely unheard names - Finnish label and LENS collaborator Dusty, dropcrotch-tastic I Love Ugly, and accessories label Virr, that's got me a little bit in love.
Established in 2009 by Sydney-based designer J.W. Neate, this Oz label prides itself on its crafting accessories that embody what they seem to call a cross-class aesthetic (the luxurious finish associated with the garb of the rich, and the worn and...
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| Uniforms for the Dedicated: The New Menswear Collective. |
| 2010-10-07 05:42:34 |
I do love a good design collective. Ever since Underlining Colours (now The Grit) got in touch with me about a feature way back when, I've been itching to discover more disciples of fashion/art/design that have banded together to pool their creativity in order to make really beautiful work that wouldn't otherwise be produced.
Established in 2007, but having somehow evaded my radar until recently, Uniforms of the Dedicated is one such team of tastemakers. With the intention of fashioning a "playground of men's fashion, music, art projects, and film", Uniforms break new ground in the world of all things menswear, shooting music videos (more like fully-fledged fashion films) for their self-composed songs, which feature their self-designed clothing line, as well as their self-created artwork. Suffice to say that this lot are packing intimidating talent.
The latest in a series of collaborative films entitled March of No Coincidence brings together producers Jonas Rathsman and Nils Krog...
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| Embracing the Cable. |
| 2010-10-04 05:30:17 |
So what was supposed to be a few hours spent scouring for the sexiest, best value boots online turned into an entire Sunday evening deliberating over styles and even resorting to Twitter to ask your opinions, though I could think of worse ways of spending the last few hours of the weekend. For those of you who recommended the Bench Wyatt, well, that's what I went with in the end. Who'd have thought a casuals brand that could, for me, previously only connote D4 girls' asses in sweatpants would proffer such great footwear for men?
Anyway, being the impulsive wreck that I am when it comes to a spot of online shopping, the boots weren't alone in my shopping bag, but rather enjoyed the good company of - amongst other items - a chunky cable crew knit from ASOS (yes, I know, I need to be curbing the addiction soon...), which I'm quite excited about but still not wholly satisfied with, since it was not my original choice. If you thought my hunt for boots was extensive, then you'll not believe ...
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| An Innovative Threesome: Timberland x Wallpaper x Martine Rose. |
| 2010-10-02 11:10:12 |
Taking a break from blowing my nose, guzzling Lemsip, and attempting to read about Hedy Lamarr and the supposedly scandalising, Extase, to share something you've probably already come across, but - I'm sure - won't mind viewing one more time.
Having been given a Mojito-fuelled London launch at the Havana Club a couple of weeks ago, the result of the much anticipated Timberland x Wallpaper x Martine Rose collaboration was unveiled recently and it's pretty much rejuvenated my interest in an outerwear company I wouldn't have looked twice at before. The jacket is the result of Timberland's attempt (documented and, to an extent, orchestrated by Wallpaper) to endear itself to a new market through a collaboration with a young London-based menswear talent, Martine Rose.
Featuring a blue enthusiast's dream combination of royal blue and a navy quilted circular patch, the Stratham bomber is every inch the product the collaborators sought to create upon first banding together. Striving to fuse inn...
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| Guyliner at River Island. |
| 2010-10-01 03:56:59 |
I remember being asked a few months ago to give a quote for an Irish Independent article on the apparent decline of men's grooming heralded by a beardy George Clooney. After deliberating for a while, making sure I'd come up with something that might dupe the general public into trusting I knew what I was talking about, I said something along the lines of, "The 'metrosexual' is dead", and that an overly groomed appearance smacked of conspicuous luxury in a time when recession chic was taking hold.
Still, even if Brad and George were carrying out their own little backlash, their look was still groomed in a more, um, laid-back fashion, which brings me to the point that even if you're not a fan of the adulterous footballer preened-squeaky-clean look, it's still vital to get the basics down. And by that, I mean, a good skincare regime, shaving properly, and keeping your brows in check.
That said, I'd sooner shell out on apparel or shoes than extortionately priced cosmetics, and am a f...
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| Oil & Clay. |
| 2010-09-27 07:33:11 |
Aaand it's time to start figuring out timetables, watching countless films (Cinema and Censorship course this year, looking forward to...er...copious amounts of sex, violence, and generally objectionable material), and barely making essay deadlines. I'm taking one semester here in Dublin, and then leaving for Berlin.
Anyway, that's a while off, and the point of this post was to just to show you two recent faves I've secured for the oncoming semester. Both incredibly affordable, and surprisingly (in the case of dear old H&M) great quality. You may remember I was dabbling in chino waters back at the beginning of the Summer, but this clay/tan pair is preferable to the too-wide pair I was trying out back then. Without further ado...
^ Oil wash tee from ASOS, chinos from H&M, belt from Urban Renewal, socks from M&S, boots by Grafters
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| AllSaints AW10: Lusting for Leather. |
| 2010-09-24 02:51:13 |
(...excuse S&M overtones, or don't, whichever takes your fancy) Much like Mat of Buckets and Spades, I've endeavoured to reign in my inner magpie of late, and tried my hand at channeling all-knowing-sartorial-god-who-never-makes-shitty-impulse-purchases. So far so...er...alright. I've acquired a good pair of tan chinos that are tan enough to work in a winter wardrobe, and a black racer-back cowl neck vest that I'll probably be wearing to clubs for the next year and a half if I have my way.
Still, I'm lacking key AW pieces, and as part of this wardrobe overhaul/spending habit intervention, I've been compiling a mental list of what's required and what needs to be avoided like the fast fashion plague. Top of said list is a black leather jacket. And I mean leather, not some pleather substitute that denies you that specific smell and luxurious yet robust feel that you get only from genuine leather. Surprisingly, I've come across quite a few potential models with top of the list being th...
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| Stop Press for SS11. |
| 2010-09-23 12:40:32 |
Since coming to the conclusion that fashion's timetable is far from ideal (from a blogger's POV), I've been less and less interested in churning out reviews of shows proposing a myriad of looks to be worn not now, but in several months time. As I'm sure you all know, showing - for example - Spring Summer 2011 in September of 2010 has a specific purpose: it allows buyers and members of press to identify what the key looks for the coming months will be, what elements of a designer's collection are destined for the shop window display, what's going to sell like crack-filled hot cakes, and what pieces aren't fit for much more than editorial.
Fashion, despite its inherent fickle disposition, is formulaic to an extent, and so this schedule is essential from a commercial perspective. In order for the industry of fashion to function, this schedule must be maintained. But, as a blogger, I don't see why we're demanding - with the increasing (online) access to the catwalks - to spoil suspens...
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| Arms AW10: Acute Attention to Detail. |
| 2010-09-21 07:10:27 |
Rediscovering Dublin-based label (Made For You By) Arms for AW10 has been bittersweet; the collection is superb, but I'm reminded of the now defunct alternative retail mecca, Circus. Still, it's brands like Arms, headed by the v. charming Aussie Renate Henschke, that reassure me all's not lost for Dublin fashion.
I first wrote about Arms back when it was nigh on impossible to bag one of their pieces in Circus. Almost every day I was in work customers would demand we re-order their comfy crewneck sweats and ever so slightly kitsch shirting, and it's really no wonder since Arms just kind of begs to be bought. Henschke understands the importance of classic silhouettes and fabrics for menswear design, but also appreciates the difference quirky detailing can make to a piece. I decided to go the source and recently paid a visit to her Clarendon St. studio to view the AW10 collection which boasts those cotton check shirts they do so well, tees with graphic detailing, oh and a first...
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| Peter Pilotto for Kipling: A Belgian Bag Affair. |
| 2010-09-19 04:10:28 |
As tweets (often drunken due to the ample volumes of champagne, but most complaining about this season's less than satisfactory PR-ing) from London Fashion Week flood the Twitterverse, I find I'm desperately trying to console myself with the latest addition to my very scant range of accessories - a Galaxy shopper from the Peter Pilotto x Kipling range unveiled at the Brown Thomas offices this week.
^ 'Galaxy' shopper (top) and the trademark Kipling gorilla (bottom)
Although it was a breakfast launch and not planned for evening time (read: complementary coffee instead of champers - darn), it was worth navigating crap Dublin public transport in the middle of rush hour, since the lovely ladies at Kipling and Brown Thomas (thanks Maeve!) were kind enough to gift myself and the v. charming Caroline of Miss Penny Dreadful a piece from the collab. each (!), which I did feel a little jammy for, considering I'd never even come across Kipling before checking out this range.
^ Peter Pilotto, I...
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