Monochrome

I'm starting to enjoy the simplicty of a monochrome wardrobe. Even though I complained about it at the beginning of this blog.

I'm enjoying black. I'm enjoying black combined with blue - any kind of blue. I'm enjoying grey combined with shades of grey. I'm even, I dread to say, enjoying white - even white pants and shorts.

I've got plans man. I'm planning a vest, different from the last i've made. I'm planning a tartan jacket, with highlights of yves klein blue (very topical), reminiscent of beatles backs and wings. I'm planning linen trousers and shorts.

Light weight wool is on my mind, fo summer, and light weight jersey again.

I think Kris Van Assche is a genius. I really do. I think his work for Dior is stunning, and his work for his own label amazing. at 31 the guy is a genius.
I get the feeling this isn't a world wide thought, that every one is still enamoured with Heidi Slimane. Well I blame him for the shit sillhouttes that abound in menswear in Melbourne. it's filtered down so badly I can hardly stand to walk down the street any more.

I'm discovering some old companys. Lanvin, Longchamp. I found my vintage Christian Dior Monsenior Dove blue shirt.
I need to go the shop I found it in and scramble around it again.

I'm in love with wool. but I don't know how it fares as a summer fabric. is there such a thing as light weight wool? I must discover, or find an alternative. I need a new wardrobe.

Tights and Shorts

I Hate my headshot for this, so I cut it off.
Tailored shorts (thirfted), cotton leggings (Queen Vic Markets) Joy division t-shirt (Some shit band t-shirt shop) shoes from plane.
I've developed an obsession with leggings for men. I like the idea of them under shorts (it hides the package, so to speak), but I think the shorts have to be fairly short (like these ones for instance).

Leggings/Tights/Whatever. Why are these solely for girls? I have never worn more comfortable pants! In the middle ages (so long ago) Men wore "hose". I think the could be re adapted for modern wear. I think it's still masculine (solid, sombre colours though - black, grey, I don't think any other colours would work...)
thoughts?

I WANT

Mighel

I've just been BLOWN away. This is a guy I used to work with in
Manchester, Michel, he has just graduated the London college of
fashion, and making brilliant menswear. I particularly like this
jacket and pants, the detailing is awesome. I want them. I want them
hard. Such an inspiration.

Think about this

Antonio Marras

My friend Jacqui just sent me these... they are amazing.
A designer Antonio Marras, who has somehow managed to make beige appealing and even slightly stylish. I found a video of his notebook, I'm getting into notebooks and researching as a fashion design resource at the moment.

mjolk, lederhosen

I've been thinking about shorts. It is nearly summer after all.
Researching lederhosen has been a bit hard, there is no where to find
the pattern or anything of that ilk. I did come across these images
though.
Lederhosen are traditionally made out of leather and knee length, some
can be longer. wiki says they "are commonly associated with virility
and brawn."

there has been attempts to update these, but I don't think they went
down very well. I'm thinking of making a pair, in tartan wool, similar
to these mjolk shorts but a but more down the traditional lederhosen line, with the detailed flaps and possibly the suspenders with the chest plate.

Fabrics Purchased.

Tartan Wool, French Stripe and Charcoal Jersey.

Now, I'm thinking drop crotch trousers for the tartan, and t shirts for the others, basic ones to wear with the tartan. I was thinking of a charcoal and striped version, but I'm not sure how it would go.

I'm obsessed with men's leggings. I want to make a pair, but I know they need to be bulky and masculine, a really thick knitted kinda fabric, like thermal but much much thicker. British Army styled from early 1900's, extra length in the leg, dropped crotch, exposed button fly and elastic waist band.

Ties

I've been looking around this week at the way people Tie there Tie,
and some things I've seen are completely shocking.

I'm a recent Tie convert, but I would NEVER wear a tie unless I knew
how to tie it. It took some practice, it took some time and advice
from professionals, but I eventually got it. I learnt the knot that is
both suitable for the shirts I wear and for my face shape. I tied it
over and over and over again till I got it right. It's a classic
staple for a mans wardrobe. I've got some Hermes ones, and some YSL
ones, and never would I own what is called a "novelty" tie - no
characters or star wars or anything of that ilk.
Vintage ties are the best, I find that some of these newer ties just
don't have the build of the old school tie. Seven-fold ties are great,
nice and thick with a strong body.

If you are going to wear it, learn it first.

Vivienne Westwood 2009 Collection

hot. from the vest to the bear.

I've always been a bit dubious to say I'm a fan of Westwood - there's such a cliche involved with it: Fashion design students ALWAYS say Westwood and McQueen are there inspiration.

I just love that she's come from nothing, learnt really fucking well how to cut and how fabric works with body shapes. and she can sew like a mother-fucker. And she can do a look, and it's all really adaptable.

Colour, or Lack there of in Current Fashion - Dom + Clinton talk

i'd like to have a discussion with you about this:

I feel that people now days are scared of colour. this morning I was walking to work and was the only person wearing a colour.

do you believe this is true? people are scared of colour.

go to any store, and it's all black. grey.

thoughts?

- Clinton

Monotone Morbid Madness

Everywhere black on black and occasional shades of grey. apparently black is the new black. Do you think they will discover a colour/shade 

that will supersede black?

This plague of morbidity is most predominant in corporate circles. One need only look to the CBD streets during peak times, to find examples of monotone monstrosities. 

I myself am offended by this narrow minded embrace of fashion, and feel a splash of colour never hurt anybody. In fact, not only does colour brighten ones 

outfit and complexion, 

but it brightens up the worlds of all those in its path. Colour is not a virus that people should immunise themselves from. You should not cross to the other side of the street when you see colour coming but instad greet it with open arms.

...that is all

- Dom

Rag & Bone - Fall 2008 Collection

Rag & Bone make really well tailored, masculine menswear... I haven't
seen them anywhere in Australia, but I think I'm in love.

The lines of the front panels on this jacket reminds me of a funeral tuxedo from the 1800's, with an updated collar and cuffs. The contrasting coloured lines in the tie and cardigan are amazing. It's also nice to see some "normal" pants in a collection as well, not too tight and not extremely baggy.

This suit is amazing, the double breasted single row buttons and the asymetric front with contrasting collar. Well cut and tailored. The Yves Klein Blue duffel is great, a big difference to the dark greys and blacks.

And I'm a sucker for an oversized collar or hood. period.
I'm thinking of Donna Tartt's "The Secret History" for my wardrobe, tailored and old school with modern elements to keep you guessing what period it's in.