The Armani Handbag

Being an avid fan of the Armani house, mostly due to my mother's love of the Italian fashion house, having the chance to witness the careful construction and craftsmanship behind a beautiful Giorgio Armani handbag just further propelled my fanaticism. Watch the video as the artisans show off their skills in the various steps in the creation of a luxury handbag. But wait, there is more, to watch the handbag's completion, CLICK HERE.
Video courtesy of the official Armani Youtube channel
SUBSCRIBE

Vogue Italia's 25th Anniversary

The Prada cover

The Giorgio Armani cover

Famed fashion magazine, Vogue, has come a long way since it's beginnings in 1892, and has expanded to editions that cater to the different tastes of women worldwide. Vogue Italia has become distinguishable due to the open-minded and realistic focus on social issues such as the unethical motivations behind war and plastic surgery and the featuring of plus size models within the issue, which has all been thanks to the ever-creative Editior-in-Chief Franca Sozzani.

The Dolce & Gabbana cover

To celebrate her 25th year as head of the magazine, six designers have produced individual fold-out covers, which are no doubt a collector's item for those who praise the magazine. Photographed by famous fashion photographer, Steven Miesel, the covers feature some of fashion's favourite faces, the models Gisele Bundchen and Linda Evangelista, in the latest fashions by global Italian luxe labels (detailed on the photographs). Each cover reflects the unique ethos of each label and designer, in turn highlighting the talents of all the creative forces which have contributed to the celebration of Ms. Sozzani's leadership.

For the complete gallery of covers, CLICK HERE

Images courtesy of Styleite and Vogue Italia

SUBSCRIBE

The Best of Milan Men's Fashion Week S/S14

The collections presented at Milan this year seem to have reflected the designer's limited ability to deliver striking pieces, but maybe this is partly due to a change in the overall ethos of men's fashion. The extravagance has been toned down, with designers showing much simpler designs, focused on the rise of digitization and cleanliness of men's fashion. Of all the designers and labels who showed, besides Emporio Armani and Ermenegildo Zegna (reviewed in previous posts), notable Spring/Summer 2014 collections included Corneliani, Neil Barrett, Bottega Veneta, Iceberg, Fendi and Z Zegna.

Corneliani

Simplicity is the key theme of Corneliani's Spring/Summer 2014 collection, but it certainly isn't shallow. Although the crispness of simplicity is commendable, the attention to detail is what makes the collection a stand out. Creased collars, asymmetrical closings of coats and gradient circular tessellated print are plentiful in the collection, and are not necessarily easy to be seen, hence one's questionable first impressions of the collection are undoubtedly made false. A refreshing colour palette of white, nudes, navy blue and hints of teal emphasize the discreet details.

Neil Barrett

It's a risky venture for a designer to re-appropriate a classic pattern for the sake of revival, but Neil Barrett has done so without creating a tacky feel to the pattern. Checks came back into the forefront of fashion with the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2013 collection, but no menswear designer has effectively reflected that successful comeback since Marc Jacobs. The dissection of the checkerboard has appeared as an interesting motif throughout the collection, overshadowing the other details including curvaceous panelling, ribbed neoprene shirts, zipper pockets and texturised stripes. Imbalance is present, but execution of modernising the pattern is successful.

Bottega Veneta

As an avid fan of Bottega Veneta, it was no surprise that I would feature their new collection in my review of Milan Men's Fashion Week. Their signature aesthetic is apparent, with the calming colours of concrete, navy blue, sharp black and earthen browns and reds heightening the sombre diamond and iron grate patterns and embroidered stitching that flow throughout the collection. To many who are unaware of this illustrious label, the collection may seem tame and boring, but one must look further the craftsmanship of the pieces to appreciate its bespoke wonderment. 

Iceberg

Integrating artworks into fashion is another difficult endeavour taken on by fashion designers worldwide, and sometimes turn out catastrophic to both the credibility of the designer and the dignity of the artist. I cannot say this is the case for Iceberg, their careful selection of abstract artistic patterns easing into the structural, yet relaxed, look of the pieces within the collection. Panels of white and pops of orange are vivid, but no other detail within the collection stands against the artworks on the sweaters. 

Fendi

The desert stormed through Milan and is set to next season with Fendi's latest offering for the hotter months, just as they intended it to. The sand-covered runway fit perfectly with the Saharan-Mediterranean theme, making obvious the connection between the clothing and the ethos of the collection. Lightweight fabrics such as silken shirts, amassed with dusty and earthy prints, and wide-necked Sicilian shirts juxtaposed against the heavy leathers and out-of-context oxfords bring a modernity to the Ancient connotations of the collection. The fusion of past and future are clear with the structured feel of the garments and the colour palette reflecting the colours adorned by Desert Kings.

Z Zegna

The classic Zegna aesthetic has been glorified once again with a Spring/Summer collection from Paul Surridge. The enclosed, futuristic space in which the collection was presented contrast to the seemingly relaxed feel and look of most pieces within the collection, particularly shirting and bottoms, which loosely fit on the body without  blatantly hiding one's shape. A contemporary take on the honeycomb pattern is motif within the collection, with quilted jackets and leather jackets donning the pattern via embossing. In addition to this, a retake of the kaftan shirt, patterned trousers and kimono shirts deepen the relaxing vibe of the collection.

Images courtesy of Fashionising

SUBSCRIBE

It's All Smiles at Emporio Armani

Armani is undoubtedly the leader in setting trends focused on the post-modern appropriation of the Bauhaus minimalist aesthetic. The Spring/Summer 2014 collection marks a stray away from the soft silks and harmonious colours seen in the previous collection, and more towards a hard-edged, tougher visual aura. The colour palette ranges from the sharpest of blacks to the eye-blinding silky white, with harder pops of colour scattered throughout.

The colour palette sounds harsh on the eye, but when used on wide-collar jackets, oversized windbreakers, heavy keep alls and silken shirts and trousers, the toughness breaks and creates an approachable collection that is easy to be worn, if one is daring. Even with the dominance of these pieces, the narrow fit of the trousers and body hugging tightness of the shirts bring a minor element of femininity, completely relevant to the fashion-conscious man of today.

This season, Armani assures you that coloured lenses are back in, with key pieces being acetate oversized sunglasses, shimmery leather jackets and bright silks, there is a contrast within the collection that many may ignore, reject or accept. For me, Armani should always remember his deceivingly masterful designs, without straying too far from his minimal roots. On a final note, Armani has also brought a much needed accessory to the runway once again - the smile. Always smile, it's your best accessory... as cliché as it sounds.

Images courtesy of Emporio Armani

Harper's Bazaar Australia: 15 designers, 15 covers, 15 years to celebrate!

Giorgio Armani

Louis Vuitton by Marc Jacobs

Harper's Bazaar Australia turns 15 this year, and in celebration of their anniversary, 15 powerhouse designers of the fashion world have conjured up limited edition covers for fashion fans around the world to collect. In addition to those pictured, high profile names such as Frida Giannini from Gucci, Alber Elbaz from Lanvin, Christian Louboutin, Hermés, Karl Lagerfeld from Chanel and Diane Von Furstenberg have lent their creative minds manifest into a series of custom designed fashion sketches and editorials. Personally, I have the Carine Roitfeld cover in my sights, and with Mother's Day in our midst, why not grab one for your mother for a truly fashionable gift! Happy Birthday Harper's Bazaar Australia, may the publication continue to bring fashion inspiration to all of us!

 

Victoria Beckham

Carine Roitfeld, featuring Prada Spring/Summer 2013 dress

To view the complete series of covers, head to www.bazaarcoverstory.com.au

 Images courtesy of Harper's Bazaar Australia

Milan Men's Fashion Week, Day 4

The final day of Milan Men's Fashion Week offered shows from DSquared2, Jet Set, Diesel Black Gold, Roccobarocco and Enrico Coveri. My favourite show/collection from the last day was Giorgio Armani.

Giorgio Armani Autumn/Winter 2013

Giorgio Armani's latest collection is my favourite minimalist menswear collection, as far as what has been shown. Giorgio Armani has managed to design a collection that embodies Armani's signature style and the future of menswear. Thick patterned knits, geometric cotton sweaters, mink panelled varsity jackets, quilted jackets and soft robe jackets and velvet trousers fill the collection, in a sophisticated colour palette of ash grey, wine red, polished black and navy blue. The collection is bold yet simple, with hints of eccentricity and uniformity flowing throughout the pieces and looks.

View the collection HERE

Watch the fashion show HERE

Images courtesy of Armani LIVE