Punk: Chaos to Couture

Brush aside all the celebrities who attended the Met Ball, and you'll see what this year's occasion was fundamentally celebrating - Punks. The Punk movement had an undeniable affect on everything - politics, culture, visual arts, music, graphic design and of course, fashion. The ripped jeans, nickel chains, out of context tartan, tshirts sporting unruly comments against society and the emergence of Fashion's Mother of Punk, Vivienne Westwood, and rising popularity of the musical anti-hero, Sid Vicious of The Sex Pistols.

The Costume Institute's exhibition, Punk: Chaos to Couture, is aimed at showing us all how rebellious we can be, simply through the way we band together and change culture through our collective resentment of the system. The exhibition will be at the Met in New York City will be open from May 9 - August 14 this year, so if you're heading to The Big Apple or are already a local, make sure you channel your inner rebel and bathe in the Punk atmosphere at the exhibition.

For more information on the Punk: Chaos to Couture, head to the Met Museum website

Images courtesy of Met Museum and Suzanne DeChillo from The New York Times

The King of Fashion makes a stand for Equality

A depiction of the happiness of same-sex families

Karl walked out in the finale to thunderous applause for his social statement

Following Barack Obama's inauguration speech stating his support for equal rights to marriage, there was no better chance for other powerful and influential people to express their views on this contemporary social issue. Among the seemingly macabre Chanel Haute Couture dresses, two beautiful brides holding hands with a child symbolized Karl Lagerfeld's support for equality. Fashion Designers and Creative Directors have always had the chance to express their political and social views through their collections and shows, especially Vivienne Westwood and Martin Margiela, but the fact that the King of Fashion has made this stand is a sign that this right will be granted to all LGBT people all over the world in a matter of time, which will be a major progression in social rights. The combination of Barack Obama and Karl Lagerfeld's subtle protests will have surely given much needed hope to LGBT all over the world, and I am all for it.

Images courtesy of Fashionising

Milan Men's Fashion Week, Day 2

With Milan Men's Fashion Week in full swing, the trends are emerging and fashion enthusiasts are getting ever more lusty over the new collections. The second day featured shows from Salvatore Ferragamo, Trussardi, Bottega Veneta, Bally, Iceberg, Vivienne Westwood, Ports 1961, Daks, Moncler Gamme Bleu and Caruso.

My favourite collections from Day 2 include Calvin Klein, Missoni and Prada.

Calvin Klein Autumn/Winter 2013

Calvin Klein's Autumn/Winter collection had an abundance of ribbed and quilted jackets and sweaters, but with a more contemporary and futurist aesthetic. Sports luxe elements have carried through from last year, with reptilian leather trainers completing the mostly monochromatic outfits. The trend of ox blood, chocolate brown and deep navy blue has translated into this collection, and in its different shades creates a collection with depth purely through varying colours and simplified ribbed embellishments.

View the collection HERE

Watch the runway show HERE

Missoni Autumn/Winter 2013

It was gradients galore at the Missoni Autumn/Winter 2013, the colour palette drawing inspiration from autumn leaves and bringing life to the colours through classic and comfortable fashion design. Accessories such as rugged leather briefcases and totes and are the stand out pieces amongst the myriad of casual chic looks. Missoni has proven their ability to draw on their heritage and design a collection for the modern yet nostalgic man.

View the collection HERE

Prada Autumn/Winter 2013

A show set full of 60s-70s retro and Bauhaus furniture, the wooden stairs elevates the models to enhance the richness of Prada's latest collection. Though simple in look and detail, the colour choice of the garments complements the retrospective design aesthetic. Prada has managed to modernize 60s and 70s men's fashion to convey the message that fashion is both ephemeral and timeless.

View the collection HERE

Watch the runway show HERE

Images courtesy of Calvin Klein LIVE, Prada LIVE, and Style.com

Day 2 - Milan Men's Fashion Week

The second day of Milan Fashion Week included shows by some of the most well-known brands in fashion, such as Emporio Armani (which I watched through the Armani website), Salvatore Ferragamo (streamed live), Missoni and Pringle of Scotland.

The stand out collections for me were Bottega Veneta, Vivienne Westwood, Calvin Klein and Prada. 

Bottega Veneta FW12

Images courtesy of fashionising.com

Bottega Veneta's collection is unique in the presentation of mismatched fabrics focused on the distortion of what the sophisticated image means to us. I adore the contemporary patterned blazers, especially those with the plastic looking material as a contrasting feature for the pieces. It's oblivious to see that I want the metallic jacket!

Vivienne Westwood FW12

Images courtesy of thefashionisto.com

As always, Vivienne Westwood delivered a collection and show to question the minds of onlookers. Fulfilling her title as the Mother of Punk, the abundance of tartan, fur and overall odd outfits did not disappoint me at all. I only wonder what the concept for hair and makeup was... a mix of sun tan and snow?

Calvin Klein Collection FW12

Images shot by me via Calvin Klein TV

I was lucky enough to be awake at the time of the Calvin Klein show, and it was well worth staying up for! The live stream featured a point and shoot option so you could save your favourite looks from the show! Anyway, the showing of contrasting reptilian leathers, desert nudes and creepy creepers left me in awe. The clever execution of minimalist chic was undeniable in both the collection and the show itself. There was a celebrity face on the runway, and it was none other than Joe Jonas haha!

PRADA FW12

Images courtesy of High Snob Society via Now Fashion

I watched the Prada show through the live stream in the late hours of the night, and I could not keep my eyes off the screen, even before the show started! The camera was placed so viewers can see the whole set - the luscious red, moody lighting and haunting music reminiscent of Alexander McQueen. 

One could argue that the pieces from the collection look a tad Soviet military, especially with the obvious theme of red, but I loved it! I will definitely be saving up for the cyber-tech inspired sunglasses and the patterned oxfords which were presented in the collection! 

Miuccia outdid herself by bringing on some A-list Hollywood actors on the runway to show off her designs - including Garrett Hedlund, William Defoe, Jamie Bell, Tim Roth and Adrien Brody (who I must say looks amazing in the all red ensemble).

Overall, it was the best show I have seen at Milan so far.