Fabrications

Givenchy sweatshirt, Damir Doma trousers, Grenson boots

McQ by Alexander McQueen bomber, Givenchy shirt, Balmain trousers, Underground boots

The eerily surrealist painting style of LA based artist, Alex G. Paradise, has been utilised in the latest editorial for online fashion retailer, SSENSE. The paintings, drawing inspiration from the retailer's best selling pieces of the season rather than blatantly presenting the products to the customer, are an interesting series most likely aimed at showing how fashion feeds on other creative industries (art especially). What stands out the most is the anonymous figures who model the clothes, who in my opinion blanks out the delightfully distracting fashion models and highlights the beauty of the garments themselves, which fashion is ultimately about.

McQ by Alexander McQueen polo, Kenzo trousers, Raf Simons backpack, Mr. Hare shoes

Stella McCartney blouse, Dion Lee mini skirt, Marni flats

View the complete series of paintings at SSENSE.com

View more works from Alex at www.alexgparadise.com

Images courtesy of SSENSE

Eye Beams

All thanks to Humberto Leon and Carol Lim from Opening Ceremony, Kenzo has taken over the fashion scene once again in recent years, particularly with their vibrant retake on the original designer's worldly prints (note: the Kenzo tiger). The revamped Kenzo label has now been dubbed a major rival of Givenchy and Balenciaga, and the Opening Ceremony duo have proved their ability to bring attention to the wondrous history of the Kenzo label with another motif - The Eye.

The label's Fall/Winter 2013 collection features the eye - a symbol of protection, good luck, optimism and the surreal in many Asian cultures, an ode to the Japanese origin on the Paris-based fashion house. Drawing from this, a Bollywood-inspired campaign has been released, featuring 3 models of different nationalities all dressed in Kenzo, set in an urban playground. The quick-paced video campaign truly reflects the vision of the original designer, Kenzo Takada - a world unified by the similarities and differences in world cultures, particularly fashion. Check out the video below...

Images courtesy of Selectism and Kenzo

Video courtesy of Kenzo

New Era x Yohji Yamamoto

New Era has crept their way into the high fashion scene once again,  their latest collaboration with the praised but mysterious Japanese designer, Yohji Yamamoto, being their latest endeavour. It will be a sight to see elements of the peacefully dark aesthetic of Yamamoto tied into the iconic and functional 59FIFTY caps of New Era. No doubt, the range will be in stark contrast to the bright and worldly Kenzo collab the brand previously did, which was as successful as the overly imitated Kenzo Tiger sweater, but there's no knowing how successful this line will be in comparison. Little is known about the upcoming line, set for release this month, so we must just gander at the teaser provided to us...

Image courtesy of Hypebeast

Comeback Pt. 2

Wearing Kenzo x New Era cap, Nudie jeans, American Apparel hoodie and tee and Havaianas flip flops. Summer's around the corner here in Australia!

To my dear Readers!

I'm sorry I have been away for a while, the month of August brought about many changes to my life and it's been tough, but as the old saying goes, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger". I know I'm going to grow from this much stronger than before, and one of the first steps is to get back into doing what I love! Anyway, it's September - the busiest month for fashion, so expect to hear a lot from me. 

I have a lot of projects coming up for me, so don't worry, I'm here to stay! Keep your eyes peeled for my post on Vogue Fashion's Night Out this week!

Image courtesy of my Instagram

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

The Father of Men's Fashion Weeks brought about new waves of creativity and trends from some of the world's most renowned luxury labels. The scout boy look returned with Louis Vuitton, the comeback of the controversial colour, pink, from Paul Smith, an extravagant heavy metal show from Rick Owens brought about the unveiling of Adidas x Rick Owens collaborative shoe line and Riccardo Tisci produced a mechanically tribal collection for Givenchy. The notable collections included:

Raf Simons Spring/Summer 2014

Remnants of the outrageous prints from the 1980's consumerist regime of media were scattered throughout the latest offering from Raf Simons. Mismatching shapes, juxtaposed inanimate items on eye-catching patterns and Dali-inspired Surrealism on highly structural garments was what Raf wants men to wear for the coming season. Not to mention the shoes, showing Raf's ability to warp the much-loved sneaker into more of a masterpiece than they were already.

John Galliano Spring/Summer 2014

Bill Gaytten's collection for John Galliano is surprising change compared to the avant-garde aesthetic of John himself and to last year's lobster-clad collection. A boxy silhouette for men was opted for the coming Spring/Summer season, but with harmonious colours such as red, canary yellow and navy blue, the geometric silhouette is easier on the eye. Mosaic tiled trousers, sequin embellished blazers and shirting, kimono polo shirts and platform oxfords added a dynamic depth to the collection. 

Kenzo 

The in-your-face designs of Opening Ceremony duo, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, have undoubtedly changed the face of Kenzo since their inception. After a streak of jungle-inspired pieces abundant in their collections, it seems the pair are transitioning into a more, dare I say, bearable aesthetic. Their Spring/Summer 2014 collection channels Seapunk in a manner of subtlety - the various shades of blue, prints depicting sea waves and sea foam as illustrated by the Ancient Japanese and the motif of the rip curl all point to this subculture. Blending these motifs into carefully constructed garments makes for an outstanding collection from the pair.

Dior Homme 

As I've mentioned many times, appropriating art into fashion takes a well-skilled and experienced designer to do so without damaging the repertoire of the designer and the artist. Kris Van Assche has brought the Mondrian print, as popularised by the late Yves Saint Laurent, into his latest menswear collection, but in a discreet colour palette of ox blood, greys and blues. The artwork appears silently throughout the minimal garments, creating a distinct geometric collection for the modern man who adores Dior.

Images courtesy of Fashionising

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Jungle Punk

It seems as though Kenzo is trying to start a new subculture of punks in their latest campaign. The Resort 2013 campaign, titled "Electric Jungle", is bright, kooky and playful film highlighting the undeniable new direction that Humberto Leon and Carol Lim from Opening Ceremony have pushed the brand since Takada's departure. The primal prints of the collection seem to stand out amongst the chaotic neon backgrounds, and almost remind of early M.I.A. music videos and the wilderness of 80s street fashion, whilst the more minimal pieces commands the campaign. Overall, it is clever way to emphasize their intention to appeal to a younger fashion-conscious market... and maybe try and push those Seapunks aside to make room for Junglepunks!

Video courtesy of the official Kenzo youtube channel

Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 - Highlights Part 2

The next 3 days of Paris Fashion Week featured shows from notable designers and labels such as Hussein Chalayan - showing an incredible fusion of visor and wide brim hats, Azzaro, Isabel Marant, Vionnet, Maison Martin Margiela, Viktor & Rolf, Neil Barrett, Vivienne Westwood, Comme Des Garcons, an extravagant collection inspired by the 80s by Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Celine and Riccardo Tisci's abandonment of his famous bandana prints encompassing animals for Givenchy. 

The 4th day was the day one of today's most celebrated designers, Raf Simons, debuted his pret-a-porter collection for womenswear in Dior, and is among the best collections from days 4-6, with these looks standing out - 

Raf Simons' love for minimalism is now channeling through into the ready to wear collection of Dior, modifying the label's classically timeless look to a contemporary, refined aesthetic that effortlessly incorporates sartorial elements, and does not sacrifice the timeless atmosphere all throughout. The crystalline colour palette adds the right amount of vibrancy to Raf's simplistic designs, allowing women who thrive on minimalism to embrace pops of colour for their wardrobe.

Costume National Spring/Summer 2013

Deconstructed blazers and a muted colour palette fills Costume National's latest collection.

Haider Ackermann Spring/Summer 2013

Haider Ackermann's Spring/Summer collection is the perfect representation and extension of his elegantly dark aesthetic. The collection draws inspiration from traditional Japanese costume, with the women's blazers and trousers designs focused on the look of the material and the reduction of added components such as buttons and cuffs, and the mystery of subcultures such as Goth, as seen in the black dresses and shocking purple lipstick. These two inspirations equals to a collection that harmonizes two opposing mantras of peace and violence.

Hermes Spring/Summer 2013

Women's suspenders may be a new trend for Spring/Summer with Hermes' slim line designs paired with garments on trend

Issey Miyake Spring/Summer 2013

Issey Miyake's Spring/Summer collection is airy, lightweight, stylish and functional - all a woman needs for the warmer months of the year

Junya Watanabe Spring/Summer 2013

Junya Watanabe, one half of the popular avant-garde label, Comme Des Garcons, manages to fuse visionary artistic characteristics into luxury sports wear in her latest collection. Cutouts of mesh blouses, metallic nylon jackets and panels of neon are abundant in the legendary fashion designers collection. Junya manages to add a feminine touch with shift dresses in sporty, functional materials for the outdoorsy and active type of woman who does not want to compromise style over comfort.

Kenzo Spring/Summer 2013

Kenzo's embroidered tiger sweaters were worn by men and women attending the fashion shows throughout month, and with the appearance of Carol Lim and Humerto Leon's new sweaters in their latest collection, there is no doubt that this design will once again bring the animal out of loyal Kenzo followers throughout the world.

Yohji Yamamoto Spring/Summer 2013

The legendary Yohji Yamamoto, a pioneer of Japanese fashion design, effortlessly brings us a collection that continues to show his ability to merge both European and Japanese fashion design elements, whilst keeping its avant-garde qualities but not hindering on its wearability

All images courtesy of Fashionising

All runway shows can be viewed on FashionTV and FataleFashionII's Youtube Channel