Alpha Male vs. High Heels Man?

I have to admit that when I saw André J on the cover of Parisian Vogue, I wasn't surprised. Paris tends to always push the bar a bit higher in regards to what fashion is. Vogue Paris is avant garde with a touch of femininity and passion while Vogue Italia is avant garde with inspiration written all over. But back to the topic. It really got me started on the topic on men with high heels. 

We have seen them on editorials, on the streets of some major cities and even on covers. But is this really a trend that will catch on? I bet not. I realized that for some people, fashion is to push frontiers. But have we come to a place where male street fashion is pushing on women's fashion? I have to say that I still am a bit awed by the fact that men actually go with these items. Not because I see it as inspirational but to me it's on a borderline. A borderline where fashion is no longer fashion but a call for attention.

Don't get me wrong, I think that André J and BrianBoy for instance are truly fashion icons but that's not because they are dressed in high heels or wear women' fashion. It's rather because they are not afraid to throw in their masculinity and mesh up something of their own. They are not following a trend, rather following their own personal style.

For me it's actually more important to feel that alpha male feeling. I want to see men is dresses and men's clothes. I'd rather see bright colors and soft textures than to see men in women's items. I mean, this is why we have men's fashion and women's fashion, right?

I realize that I ask many questions but I want to provide some answers to my logic through the use of some male collections from S/S 09:

Versace

Silky smooth materials with spring colors just add a touch of sophistication. Even with such shiny materials, the way the clothes hang just give off a feeling of a city man on a mission. Even with the sleek black leather jacket and the all black outfit, it's still a street man on a mission.

Givenchy

The catholic boy theme makes every outfit look like a tough guy's outfit even if many of the designs are made out of delicate textures. If not alpha male, young alpha male!

Marc Jacobs

Very young, fresh male look. Bright colors, Very fitted on the top yet very street. Definitely a combination of styles, all from a bit og hip hop to a bit of prep to a bit of city street. A city look.

Lanvin

Totally catered to a well dressed man. Casual suits that dare to go the extra mile without going away from their true essence. I like the bright colors and the total spring and warm feeling to it.

Overall, I don't expect anyone to look like a model out of the catwalk but after all, designers do make clothes to give us some inspiration. I hope this random rambling of mine goes somewhere. I feel like it's a President's campaign. Pick Alpha Male. Lol.

Source: Zimbio & mens.style.com

Tøyd by PERSONAE vs T by Alexander Wang

To build that perfect stance and that perfect outfit, you gotta rely on the basics. I guess it kinda irks me when I see people wearing so many different colors at the same time and just creating a huge flop. Call me weird but it's true. A neutral basic piece on your outfit takes you a long way.

This time, Silje Løvik @ TopModels, Ingrid Auestad @ TopModels & Heartbreak and Jenny Amina @ Team Oslo show us with grace and flow a neutral editorial catering to exactly that. How having basic and neutral pieces give you that clean look. It almost reminds me of a beauty editorial from Vogue Nippon May 2009 with the difference that this editorial on PERSONAE Magazine caters to an entire body and it seems to carry a soft melody from girl to girl. Here is Tøyd by Siren Lauvdal.

This whole thing also reminded me of the genius line of basics by Alexander Wang. It's cotton, classic and simple yet it's genius. Pieces that every girl should have some of in their wardrobe. Here are some shots of both Karlie Kloss @ Next and Rose Cordero @ Supreme showing off his line Spring/Summer 09 and Fall/Winter 09-10 respectively. T by Alexander Wang.

Source: Self-Scan & alexanderwang.com through TFS.

Yay or Nay: Jean Jackets?

YAY!

Daria Werbowy

Vogue Paris May 2009 by Inez van Lamzveerde & Vinoodh Matadin.

A bit sceptic on how they are used but overall I'm excited. A well-fitted, chic jacket can totally tie a Spring/Summer outfit well together and give you a bit of versatility in your wardrobe. I hope they make a good comeback!

Source: models.com

Lol of the Day: Lindsay Lohan

I love people with sarcasm. Brutally honest!

Lindsay Lohan's eHarmony Profile from Lindsay Lohan

SVA Magazine: Future Tense by Mimi Blix.

With the up-and-coming S/S 09 with lots of designs steaming from almost futuristic themes, Yoo Jung Sun gives us Future Tense, an editorial focusing on this theme, Norwegian fashion and designers. The use of bold colors and almost tribalesque items show a powerful woman. Almost a bit cliché indeed yet it works. I actually fell in love with the red and first structured black gown. I would love to see a girl daring enough to pull something like that off. In this case, Mimi Blix @ Idol Looks really does manage to show this off with her complexion and her strong stance. I stated it before and I state it again. I'm a fan!

Here's the entire editorial showcased in SVA Magazine.

Source: Self- Scan.

PS: I find it kinda funny that she's called the Norwegian Tyra Banks. I see the connection but I feel that Mimi has a look of her own. I mean, does anyone see Tyra there?

Having said that, I think she would fit in perfectly at Victoria's Secret.

Source: Scanned by AX80.

Sunglass Mania: Siri Tollerød for Synsam & Valentino.

Siri Tollerød for Rock and Dreams, a fragrance by Valentino.

Siri Tollerød. What a delight. Another Norwegian girl doing local work. Her delicate face is truly made for beauty as shown on the last picture and the other two for local Synsam. It really makes me wish for Siri to get a Dolce & Gabbana campaign. I think she would fit in perfectly. Still, these although airbrushed do show her wonderful complexion!

Having said that, now that Spring and Summer seasons are right around the corner, I'd love to express how important it is to at least have a pair of neutral sunglasses. I guess I'm a bit tired of seeing loads of bling and lots of the Kanye West sunglasses. It's really not too flattering. If you like bling, go with something a bit more conservative and doesn't scream out "I'm HERE!"

My love? Prada love. Way better than the Ray Ban's!

And plastic Kanye's? I'm so 3008. You so 2000 and late.

Lol. This got me in the mood for some Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow.

Source: Self-Scan.

United We Stand: Faces of the Moment by Steven Meisel.

Click for HQ Image.

US Vogue May 2009.

In order from left to right: Liya Kebede, Natalia Vodianova, Anna Jagodzinska, 

Isabeli Fontana, Lara Stone, Jourdan Dunn, Raquel Zimmermann, 

Caroline Trentini & Natasha Poly.

As the widely expected Vogue cover is posted, I am indeed stunned by some and confused by others. I mean, I have full respect for the girls that actually made the cover but I still think the title is a bit misleading. Liya Kebede is indeed a legend but I don't see her as a face of the moment. She did sweep up all the top Paris shows last fashion week and she's solid but if US Vogue wanted to have her on their cover, they could have chosen another issue or theme. The same goes for Raquel Zimmermann and Natalia Vodianova. Beautiful girls indeed. Just not of the moment. They are rather girls of the decade.

I would have loved to see Sessilee Lopez, Karlie Kloss, Liu Wen, Ali Stephens or even Toni Garrn. I feel they are indeed deserving of that spot becuase of their catwalk record, their editorial work and/or their campaign record.

Having said that. I feel that Jourdan Dunn and Natasha Poly steal the whole shot. Their beautiful features really indicate their power and their future longetivity in this industry. 

All in all, the combination of the girls and the unity really makes for a strong cover that rivals the last US Vogue cover where curiously enough, Liya Kebede was also a part of. Good work Steven Meisel! United We Stand indeed!

Source: tfs via Luxx.

Remember My Name?! FAME!

You may call me whatever you want but Fame is without doubt one of the 80s classics  and one of the best musical movies that have ever been made. It's energetic, it's vivacious and it's pizzazz. It's inspiring. Just like a fashion show or a high profile editorial. 

Next pictures are from Marc Jacobs' F/W 09-10 collection showing a clear 80's influence. An 80's flashback if you will. Even if his collection might be critiqued by many because of the strength of the flashback, I love the vivacity of the colors and I really enjoy the use of color in some of the darker months of the year. Maybe Marc and Fame are not totally related but they both show how this wonderful decade still plays a role in our lives today.

I have to admit that I am not a fan of remakes in general though I'm excited like crazy to see the new Fame.

Fame is scheduled to be released around September 2009 including Debbie Allen (actress in the TV series Fame), Kelsey Grammer (Frasier) and Megan Mulally (Karen Walker on Will & Grace) among others.  Stars from Hannah Montana, So you Think You Can Dance and R&B group 3LW are also part of the movie. To be quite honest I'm looking forward to seeing Megan Mulally, on the big screen as a teacher. 

This movie is either gonna be a big flop or a great hit. 

Either way, we're still excited to see the results. Check out the trailers for both Fame (1980) and Fame (2009) below.

Source: Catwalking.com through TFS.