Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Posted on April 26, 2012 by thespectacledgentleman

With Mercedes-Benz fashion week just around the corner, needless to say, I am pretty freaking excited! Whilst the womenswear shows have lost some of their firepower due to last minute pull outs from the likes of Dion Lee and Josh Goot (though Ginger & Smart is hosting their 10 year anniversary show on Monday night which is bound to be spectacular), the menswear shows seem to be bigger and better than ever!

This season sees the likes of Song for the Mute, Ksubi, Nana Judy and Christopher Esber (launching his very first menswear collection after winning the National Design Award at LMFF!) doing solo shows, with a combined menswear show on Wednesday night. These guys offer a diverse range of styles, from denim and street wear, to more tailored pieces and draping, so we are bound to see an extensive range of pieces gracing the runways. Highlight of the week for me will be seeing what Esber comes up with for his menswear collection. His women’s aesthetic was tailored and chic, and if that’s anything to go by, then his menswear will be a sure fire success, filling in a clear void in the Australian marketplace.

The week will end with a masquerade ball being thrown by Fernando Frissoni. Sydney’s elite will surely be gracing the party, so expect high fashion and celebrity to be front and centre and the exclusive, invite only event. Also, Australia’s fashion bloggers will be out in full force (as well as internationals such as Bryan Boy) so be sure to dress well while walking the streets. You may just get snapped.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the week, as well as all the gossip, hits and misses. Until then, check out the MBFWA website for a full schedule.

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5 Winter Essentials

Posted on April 25, 2012 by thespectacledgentleman

The Coat

Burberry London trench available from FarFetch

This is an absolute must-have staple. The colour and cut is a classic while the black piping adds an edgy contrast. Will last you for years!

The Sweater

Maison Martin Margiela chunky knit available from Mr Porter

Warm, cosy and the best piece for layering.

The Shoes

Jeffrey Campbell Black Mars Lo Man Boot available from Ssense

These are the essential biker boots. Cool, edgy and easy to wear. What more could you want?

The Bag

Prada forest pebbled deerskin flight bag available from Bluefly

This bag is a staple for every man. Use it for overnight stays or just in your day-to-day activity. And the colour? Well, being a bit different never hurt anyone. Best of all- it’s on sale!

The Cap

Jethro cap available from Jack London

An ode to the English gent, this cap is a must. Replace your beanie with a bit of style.

Trending: The Bomber Jacket

Posted on April 20, 2012 by thespectacledgentleman

Ah the Bomber. It’s a tricky look to pull off. Let’s face it, nobody wants to look bulkier than they are, but if worn right, the bomber evokes cool. Think Ryan Gosling in Drive or Kanye West in general- these suave gents all pull off the bomber with style. And whilst I’m hesitant to endorse this winter trend, I think, when styled right, it works. Think tailored jeans or chinos paired back with military boots, and for up top, layer sweaters and shirts underneath. Use it to dress down a look by throwing it over a well-tailored suit, or cement yourself as a fashion risk taker by wearing a printed version (check out the Versace for H&M or G-Star bombers shown below). Either way, this winter essential is sure to come in handy.

Ryan Gosling in Drive

Kanye West in Givenchy

DSquared Fall 2012

DKNY Fall 2012

Calvin Klein Collection Fall 2012

Versace for H&M

Shop the look online:

G-Star Printed Bomber from Ssense

Xagon Man Bomber from Luisaviaroma

Moncler Bomber from Matches

Kenzo x Vans Collaboration

Posted on April 18, 2012 by thespectacledgentleman

Needless to say, I was pretty freaking excited to hear about this. Kenzo, the international fashion house best known for their incredible prints, was doing a collaboration with Vans, which are more on-trend now than a hipster with a mo riding a fixie. The range will be hitting stores in instalments beginning May and continuing through until July. The sneakers will feature prints from the Kenzo Spring/Summer 2012 collection and are seemingly the perfect blend between high-end fashion and street wear. Stay tuned for details on where to grab yourself a pair.

Shop Harrolds

Posted on April 16, 2012 by thespectacledgentleman

Australian men’s fashion is upping the anti when it comes to being on trend and cutting edge, but as such, our international counterparts are often forgotten about and incredibly inaccessible to us. International fashion is too often associated with women’s wear (à la Chanel Haute Couture, Prada and Gucci), so it is a nice and refreshing change to see men’s designers hitting out shores. Harrolds offers the fashion forward amongst us a range of brands, and we have owner Chris Kyvetos to thank for that. Sporting the likes of Comme des Garcon Homme, Givenchy, Balmain and the fashion God that is Tom Ford, it is revitalising the Australian men’s fashion scene, one designer at a time. Check out the stores in both Sydney and Melbourne if you haven’t already, just remember to take your black Amex along for the ride.

Visit the site for a full range of brands and store locations

http://harrolds.com.au/

Saxony A/W12 Runway

Posted on April 13, 2012 by thespectacledgentleman

Having been privy enough to hang out backstage during the preparation for Saxony’s A/W12 runway at the Australian Technology Park on Wednesday night, it was amazing to see how effortlessly a show can flow when well organised. This was all due thanks in part to the team at Cav Con, not to mention the flawless styling by David Bonney. There was a relaxed atmosphere backstage, with models hanging around, waiting for their cue to get hair and make-up done, all the while eating Kettle chips (believe it or not!).

Dark, edgy and forward thinking are best used to describe the brand that is Saxony, and this collection was no different. The ever-present draping was on display, as well as the drop-crotched pants and tailored outerwear- all in black. However, this collection saw experimentation with materials, ranging from sheer cotton, to wool and leather. The space utilised was an ode to the brand, with the ATP warehouses creating an eerie and ominous vibe that, when compounded with classical music and artistic visuals in black and white, sent shivers down my spine. The collection is a must see, and has already started to drop into stores and will continue to over the next few weeks. Stand out pieces- hard to decide, but I quite liked the draped-front jacket for a relaxed cool look, and the puffer vest for an on-trend yet slightly offbeat aesthetic (both pictured below).

visit: http://www.saxony.com.au/

The Modern Gentleman meets Sherlock Holmes

Posted on April 10, 2012 by thespectacledgentleman

Oozing the sensibilities of Victorian fashion, the modern rendition of Sherlock Holmes by Guy Ritchie offers us tweed suits, heavy coats and brogues, not to mention the moustache (which has become the penultimate hipster facial hair), all of which are effortlessly worn by the always cool Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law throughout the films. And this season’s Autumn/Winter trends see these styles replicated and modernised by the likes of Dior Homme, Kenzo, and the ever-flamboyant Jean-Paul Gaultier.

RDJ and JL in Sherlock Holmes

Dior Homme creative director Kris Van Assche offered us tailored suiting in grey and khaki hidden under large, heavy-set wool coats, finishing off each look with a cap, toning down the sharp tailoring with a sporty aesthetic.

Kenzo replicated this sporty yet tailored look, sending suiting down the runway paired with sneakers and a cap. Shades of grey were again a running theme, however, Kenzo added in some of the flair that have made the fashion house world renowned by incorporating splashes of colour, from maroon to orange, and even prints!

Finally, Gaultier took the silhouettes than embody the Victorian gent and added prints, leather and shearling to take them to an entire other level. Over layering proved to be a constant distraction to the eye, but once each look is broken down, we are left with interesting pieces that can liven up any wardrobe. Tailored wool coats and relaxed trousers dominated the runway, and each look was paired back with a fedora hat. However, move beyond the flamboyance, and Gaultier has presented us with quite an interesting collection.

Shop the look:

Dolce and Gabbana Wool Coat available at Mr Porter

Slim fit burgundy suit abailable at Asos

Dr.Martens brogues- ‘Alfred’ Shoe available at FarFetch

Who I am is what I do.

Posted on April 3, 2012 by thespectacledgentleman

Stumbling across the phrase Crack Acid on Urban Dictionary was like a gold mine. It is used to describe something so cool and crazy that the creator had to be on crack and acid when making it. For me, it unleashed a stream of ideas that could not be kept inside. So I utilised this notion to create my own fashion, culture and style blog.

Sure, I understand that the fashion blogger world is cluttered with wannabees. And yes, I also understand that I am a nobody. But frankly, I don’t care. Here are my views. Here are my opinions. Stuff I like. Shit I hate. It’s all going up.

So here is my own world or crazy cool. Enjoy.

The Spectacled Gentleman