Before the Winter Cold

 It may be sweltering here in Sydney, but the look books of the upcoming Pre-Fall/Winter 2013 collections has got me eager and ready for the change of season. The look books also give us all an informed view on how fashion will once again change this year, and have been released in anticipation of the upcoming fashion weeks, the first being London Collections: Men. My favourite Pre-Fall/Winter 2013 collections are from Belstaff, Louis Vuitton and Burberry Prorsum.

Belstaff Pre-Fall/Winter 2013

Belstaff's latest collection stays true to its heritage whilst adding contemporary details such as stitch patterned reptilian leather on bags and the tightening of the lower legs of the pants. Classic styles of trenches and jackets  are made dynamic by the dark colour hue and ultimately adds a hyper masculine quality to the collection as a whole, a turn from the soft colours last season.

Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall/Winter 2013

Louis Vuitton's latest collection encompasses a lot of pieces both effeminate, e.g. embroidered floral shirts and neckerchieves, and masculine, e.g. aviator sunglasses and structured quilted jackets, and when worn together equates to a collection for every man.

Burberry Prorsum Pre-Fall/Winter 2013

Romeo Beckham may be stealing the world over for the Burberry Spring/Summer 2013 campaign, but in my honest opinion, Burberry Prorsum's Pre-Fall/Winter 2013 campaign is much more captivating. The abundance of ox blood, patent leather and speckled paint print is a calmer, less exuberant move away from the bright metallics  this season.

Images courtesy of Fashionising

Chanel, Tartan, Tweed and a Castle

There may be a heatwave here in Sydney, but the Chanel Métier d’Arts collection (essentially Pre-Fall/Winter 2013) collection has got me wishing there will be a cold front so I can bring out all my tartan! The show was held at the famous Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, to an intimate audience comprising of media and buyers worldwide. Karl Lagerfeld is known to produce elaborate runway shows for Chanel,  but this show proved his ability to hold back without sacrificing the spectacle. The collection comprised of a lot of tartan, tweed and wools, and Karl definitely captured the spirit of Scotland and the classic Chanel style (note: the jackets) in one collection.

Images courtesy of Oyster Magazine

Pre-Fall Fashion Hound

Riccardo Tisci's animal motifs have spanned many a territory, with rottweilers, panthers, sharks and even the mystical Minotaur gracing his collections for the one and only Givenchy, but now it is time for another creature to make its mark upon the high fashion world - the Doberman. Soon, high-end designers will be releasing the look books of their Pre-Fall/Winter 2013 collections in preparation for the upcoming shows early next year, and who better to have shown theirs first. The collection gives ode to the original legendary designer of the house - Hubert De Givenchy, with the initials "HDG" slapped across many of the garments. These initials are a homophone, Riccardo stating that he also wanted the initials to represent "House de Givenchy". Amongst the stripe blocked flannels, the famous silk bombers and the signature Givenchy stars, watch out for the "Pervert" jacket... It's not hard to miss, I can hear the uproar over this loud and clearly.

Images courtesy of Style.com