Viktor & Rolf for GQ Style Italy

Viktor & Rolf have a playfulness that compliments their immaculate tailoring, and this really come across in this shoot they self-styled for GQ Style Italy. Wearing clothes from their fall 2009 Monsieur collection, the designers' eccentricity is expressed in the accessories - like these slouch socks.

VITSOE IN NYC

As London sharpens its edges for London Design Festival, one of the UK's most respected design brands, Vitsoe, opens its new store today in Manhattan.

Best known for their Dieter Rams designed 606 Universal Shelving System - which can be found in London's Dover St Market, the Monocle Shop and design museums the world over - the new Bond Street showroom brings to life the full Functionalist Vitsoe family, and on a smart and pleasing domestic scale. Well worth a look if you're in the area.

GAMME ON

Despite the aesthetic vearing dangerously close to Italian Fascist (a Mussolini wet dream), Moncler Bleu SS/10 show is a second victory for Creative Director Thom Browne and Remo Ruffini.

If you're not able to view the video here, follow this link.

FRED TIMES TWO

A Wimbledon pandemic is looming large in London, and UK's finest sports herritage brand, Fred Perry, has two irons in the fire. The first is its much publised sponsorship of Andy Murray, the 22 year old (I know, he looks almost 30. So fit and yet so aged, non?) shouldering the burden of England's sporting hopes and dreams. This performance range is strickly for courtside, but a handsome collection.

We also have the brand’s 3rd collaboration with Raf Simon. The A/W 09 range features bold African colours: a welcome relief from the all-black collection. Again the focus is on the laural leaf logo, but there is a sense of fun with some saucy mesh vests, as well as some very nice moccasins (below). Yes please.

MY TIE

I spent today on the London High Street, obstensibly to look at the new Mathew Williamson collection for H&M. As far as H&M collaborations go (anyone who saw the rubbishy Victor & Rolf offering will know what I mean) , the men's offering is pretty strong, although the prints are a little whacked.

The cut of the blazers are great, and the fabrication fairly high standard. It falls down on the knitware and the t-shirting, but all in all, good work Mathew.

Instead, I purchased this tie from Uniqlo (above). Far too much of my current wardrobe is from Uniqlo, but what can I say: it is classic with a preppy edge, high quality (the stuff lasts) and affordable. The rainbow completed my day.

BOYS CLUB

Australia did need something like Academy For Men - a men's style publication attempting to push creative boundaries. The mission statement is completely grandiose: 'With strong leadership we will enable our readers to look beyond what they think is possible and achieve the unimagionable'. I mean, this is an online fashion magazine, not the fucking New Testiment. But, the photography is strong, and editor Rhys Ripper (if that is your real name) has greatly improved Issue 2 from Issue 1 - the kid shows promise. Also, its free, so lets all subscribe and acheive unimagionable.

WHOLESALE HOMOEROTICA

I've always been astounded at how Abercrombie & Fitch have built a successful business by selling hardcore homoerotica to small town America. The hyper-sexualised Bel Ami billboards, the dim interior lighting and cruisy atmosphere, the buff, shirtless models at the entrance, the wholesome vintage soft porn frescos of collegiate boys rowing and playing rugby.


This billboard got me blogging after nearly a year. This scaffolding disguiser means shopper must actually walk into the male model's crotch. Literally entering a small hole in his jeans, and going direct for the genitals. Surely red-blooded American boys have got to realize what they are doing.