Runway Monday: But It's All Worth It - 3.1 Philip Lim Spring/Summer 2013 Review

This would be a really quick post since I wanted to take the night to "collect" myself before going back to work today. It would one of those short-long weeks. Yesterday kicked my butte! Eventhough I flew first class, so I could truly relax on the flight and preempting a trying day. It still wasn't enough. I was on my bed at 7:30 pm feeling a little sick to add to the physical and emotional exhaustion from the trip. Then again, New York/ES had the notion that I was having withdrawals. Probably, maybe, I'll humor that idea.

About that, my trip to New York was just what I needed. The first time in a long while that I didn't have to wake up super early to get to shows or have the whole day booked and all that I do would be revolving fashion week events. It was so refreshing to wear "semi-normal" clothes and not "look who I'm wearing" pieces. Not to mention COAT WEATHER. We actually did things on the fly and change our minds when we thought of something else to do. It was the freedom that I loved. I actually jogged at New York/ES's neighborhood, It felt like I was a local. Ha! But my trip was not all liesure I made sure to be part of two relief events benefiting those who were affected by super storm Sandy. The CFDA's fashion for Sandy Relief event and actually volunteering to do well . . . whatever needed to be done in Longbeach, NY.

It felt good.

In today's post we have a brand that I love but yet with its aesthetic I always shied away from. Philip Lim's offering for Spring/Summer 2013 was too good to be ignored. I loved that minimalist element of the collection. But that was not saying that the collection was boring. It had a great deal on whimsy but it was all from the details on the rather very Americana pieces. It was somewhat preppy yet not stuffy but rather a very cool collective breath to it. The color story remained on the basics side with a touch of gold leafs and slight baroque embroidery but a lot less jarring compared to the Dolce & Gabbana collection. I must admit not one of strongest and impressionable collection but I loved it. The reason that I loved the collection was because of the accessories in it. I love the sunglasses and of course those bags were just to die for. I'm still coveting that one 3.1 Philip Lim from a earlier this year. I didn't really liked the striped pants because for one thing striped pants are just hard to pull off in the real world. Overall the collection featured some great pieces like the gold leafed jackets with some misses like the striped pants and those motorcycle/"bondage" pants (yikes) for me. To me, they felt over designed.  The simpler the piece the more I loved it and the more they feel more coveted. By the way, the styling for this show was just superb.

Baggages, Taxis, Planes and Repeat - Andrea Preti by Andrea Vailetti

This will be my last post for the week. I'm planning to enjoy as much time as I can with New York/ES. It's been months, two to be exact, since the last time we've seen each other. I know it usually takes me 20 minutes to write a quick post but that would be 20 minutes of distraction away from the person I love like a lot. I know for a fact that my fashionistos and fashionistas will understand. I'm actually really happy since except for the show tonight. I would be free to do whatever I want for four days, well relatively speaking. But of course, a few last minute "surprises" and hitches presents itself last night. So busy, busy till the last second I leave. Typical.

Well, have a great rest of the week and enjoy your weekend, my fashionistos and fashionistas! I will be back first thing Monday.

In today's editorial we have Andrea Vailetti as he photographs top model Andrea Preti for the November issue of Maxim Italia. Roberta Lo Baido styles Preti in handsome, laid back looks by Z Zegna, Salvatore Feragamo, Gucci, Gallo and G Star Raw to name a few. I love the chronological outfits. Makes you think models are human too. I kid, I kid.

To New Beginnings - Pascal Bonvie by Thomas Lohr

I know I should have a runway report today but my schedule had been super hectic. I'm foregoing  this week's review. Since I would be having a short work week this week, I'm swamped with work and deadlines for the next few days. I'm heading to New York on Wednesday and would be gone till next week. A big part of me was just ecstatic to able to see my New York/ES right in front of me and in the flesh but another part was a little anxious because of the amount of work I have to do before Wednesday.

At least my weekend was a lot of fun. Tiring and running on a few hours of sleep but it was nice to hang out with all the people that came out.

Happy Monday! I know some people had today off. Not moi. Regardless, Thanks to all our Veterans. Happy Veteran's Day.

To start of the week, I found this beautiful editorial that appeared on the latest issue of Metal magazine. Photographed by uber talented Thomas Lohr and styled by Santi Rodriguez. Pascal Bonvie showcased a lot of from-behind shots featuring the amazing collection of Kris Van Assche for the Fall/Winter 2012  offering for the Dior Homme house.

I'm Not Moving To Canada, Afterall - Adam Merks by Bjorn Jonas

And my candidate won, So I'm not moving to Canada afterall. The bad thing about last night was the fact I know that losing does not feel good. So I take every comment against me . . . well personally. Especially this lady who had three degrees AND three closed down stores and blamed it on the Obama administration and my happiness against me. It's like the previous episode of Amercia's Next Top Model all over again! I have one degree and a masters and the last time I checked, I was just fine. SO, were those more of poor personal choices than the administration and my comment? I don't know. I had to turn off ALL my social media outlets after a moment to avoid getting too riled up. Now that I'm an adult and politics was never more important to me, making the right choices for me and the overall well being of everybody I cared about would be more important to me than a stranger that I don't know that existed till last night. Bottom line, we are the makers of our demise. I know it would be so easy blame somebody but hey to each our own.

Honestly, somebody would win and somebody would lose. That's the reality.

I just feel sad that since you lost you think you're oppressed. One, I'm not white. So none of those race privileges non-sense.  Two, I'm a tax paying American too. Your hardship would be my hardship as well. Enough of that! I'm not my father, I'm not the 1%, ugh so annoying! But I digress, THIS is a fashion blog afterall. blue or red WE are America.

Le sigh, that's the end of my political rant. It would be probably longer if Obama lost.

For today's editorial post we have Adam Merks for Maison Martin Margiela for H&M lookbook for Highsnobiety. The lookbook was photographed by Bjorn Jonas. Christof Post styled Adam Merks with  coveted pieces from the MMM for H&M collection.

Happy Hum Day my fashionistos and fashionistas! and congratulations to President Barrack Obama!

Runway Monday: Never Dull Your Shine For Anybody - Versace Spring/Summer 2013 Review

I know I live in California but it was too damn warm yesterday. Perfect beach day, thing is, it just turned November for pete's sake! I shuffled my coats and jackets to the back of my walk-in closet because there was no point to have them to where I might see them. On another note, I realized that I bought a new pair of Givenchy sneakers during San Francisco Fashion Week that I have forgotten. I've only worn them twice. So, that was a good thing.

To my fellow Americans, DO NOT I repeat! DO NOT FORGET TO VOTE! If you haven't already. Okay that's how far I'm going to be political on a Monday. 

In today's runway review we have Versace! I know how Donatella had always loved the glory days of the brand A.K.A the 90's. We've seen it resurrected from the previous couple of collections. So it was refreshing a slightly more modern offerings for Spring/Summer 2013. The collection was still flamboyant but gone were the crazy embellished gold chains and pins, replaced by rather wearable pieces. Eventhough the collection evoked a rather 80's/Miami Vice meets the Gladiators feel to the collection it remained somewhat modern. The color story included a gamut of colors from black to hot pink. The collection also featured cut outs and metallics that gave the collection an airy but rich texture. I love the exaggerated shoulders on the sleeves blazers. Sure, it probably meant more time pumping those arms at the gym but I absolutely adore them. The printed pieces were great as well. I mean, what's a Versace collection without prints! The accessories were luxe and some kind of great. I absolutely love the across the body strap/wallet piece and the metallic handbags. I didn't really responded well with the robe-like outerwear nor the silk pieces. For some reason they reminded me of the Hef (Hugh Hefner). The gladiator sandals were great show pieces but I would probably cringe if I see them on the street. Overall, I commend Donatella and her atelier for moving the house forward without losing what made Versace, well, Versace.

Golden Child - Francisco Lachowski &Michael Gandolfi by Michele Du Xuan

I'm pretty sure you've heard the term "golden child" before. If not it means somebody who seems can do no wrong. As much as I assimilate myself as an east coaster in the west coast. I can be frank but I'm not a complete a--hole. Who doesn't want to be liked? I just be me and go on with my day. On the other hand, being nice can get you everywhere. So I think I found a way to balance it out, by being humorous about any . . . uncomfortable situation. Especially when I tend to overshare in my social media outlets, one of New York/ES's pet peeves. Eventhough that sometimes I don't really understand why I feel the need to share almost everything, I do it anyway. It must be our generation, always connected to the internet.

We close the week with an accessory editorial from the newest issue of L'Officiel Hommes China. Michelle Du Xuan photographs top model, Francisco Lachowski and Michael Gandolfi as statues coming to life. The duo is styled by Benjamin Armand with handsome watches by Omega, Cartier, Montblanc and other luxury brands.

I love watches but do I actually look down at my wrist to check the time? Of course not! I fish out my iPhone from my pocket like any other young man of our generation.

Have an amazing weekend, my fashionistos and fashionistas!

In The Dark - Sebastian Sauve & Julius Gerhardt by Nicolas Valois

The weird thing about having a relationship with somebody that relies heavily on technology, without it  one would be literally in the dark. Okay, it wasn't that dramatic but for a minute there, with Manhattan in darkness, I was worried for my New York/ES. What if cellular service went down and nobody can charge their electronic devices because of the black out? It was hard enough that we had to be careful not to kill New York/ES's cellphone battery when we talk at night. How the heck did people do it back then?! I guess they didn't or had these things called letters, envelopes and mail them at this place called the post office and those things called land lines. Sounds so barbaric!

All kidding aside New York and most of the eastern seaboard got a whooping from Sandy. So it would be bittersweet that I'm going to be in NYC in two weeks and witness the clean up but mighty glad to be with New York/ES at the same time. Well hopefully everybody had a great yet safe Halloween. 

I thought it would be just fitting to post this editorial that appeared on the L'Officiel Hommes NL entitled When The Sun Dies. Sebastian Sauve and Julius Gerhardt at Success Models were photographed by Nicolas Valois in this dark editorial. Rene Gloor styled the duo in fall/winter pieces by Dior Homme, Kris Van Assche, Louis Vuitton, and Yves Saint Laurent  to name a few.

I thought that the night photography was great and showed off some of the great pieces well.