Band of Outsiders (and II) - Oh Boy!

The LA based fashion brand Band of Outsiders has two women's collections: Boy, or the main collection, and Girl, the more casual, girly, softer collection

With Michelle Williams as the face of their Spring 2012 collection, the fashion label played with feminine versus tough women, Hitchcock-ish style. 

For the pre-fall 2012 collection Scott Sternberg has taken the inspiration from the East Coast and the cooler weather from NYC has lead the brains of this fashion brand to forget for a second about the beach, sun  and laid-back style from his adopted hometown

A buttoned-up and androgynous look, double-breasted woolen coats with leather elbow patches, khaki trousers nipped at the ankle like the ones worn by Arizona Muse below

Vintage reminiscences 

Leather jackets and pleated skirts

Menswear revamped for strong women

  

Band of outsiders (I) - Good stuff

Band of Outsiders "makes clothes and other stuff like that"

Check out the Band of Outsiders LEGO project celebrating the 30th anniversary of the toy-lifestyle brand

The blog-like website shows artists like Ed Ruscha, Mick Jagger, Tom Felton, Rupert Grint and Joseph Gordon Levitt on Band's clothing

The new dandies, contemporary and rough

Wool blazers, denim shirts, thin ties and trenches

Quality materials and edgy designs for a non-conventional lifestyle 

H&M range with Maison Martin Margiela

After some very successful collaborations with luxury designers brands (Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Marni...), the Swedish house has recently announced the production of a new collection for Autumn 2012 with the great Maison Martin Margiela.

Yes, I'll definitely queue for this one

Music and fashion (5): David Bowie

This is the story of an artist that has reinvented himself so many times that we cannot but agree that it's very intriguing. Every character was created to suit the music, the mood and the stories told. 

Ziggy Stardust, The Thin White Duke and the feminine and confusing image for the album cover of Hunky Dory. 

One of Bowie's contributions to the fashion industry is that he opened a whole new world of possibilities: glitter, jumpsuits and eccentricity with Ziggy- the man from space, a smarter style with the Duke - the contemporary dandy. Always changing, always evolving, playing with perceptions, rules and sexuality borders, whilst maintaining the expectations of the audience extremely high. 

Bowie's image has been discussed, criticised and subject to different opinions for years. What was never questioned was his talent as artist. 

With Ziggy Stardust, Bowie created the glam-rock in 1972 threatening the traditional American youngsters with all that glitter and declaring himself bisexual, playing with the ambiguity of his acts and words. 

Musicians, through fashion, challenge the audience's believes and rules set by the society.

When David Bowie had his last show as Ziggy on 3 July 1979, many thought that it was also the end of Bowie as musician.

But the show must go on

McQueen (II): One name, two lives

Steve McQueen is for many one of the best actors in modern cinema history.
But he wasn't called "The King of Cool" for nothing.
With a combination of "farm boy and street tough" as described by his wife Barbara, his rebellious attitude was inspiring and sometimes misunderstood.
He had a classic American style, wearing slim-cut tailored suits, zip-up windbreakers, khakis, button-downs V-neck sweaters and shawl-collar cardigans, worn in a very masculine way.
And his passion about motorcycles and racing cars also influenced his style: leather jacket, gloves, boots and of course denim are also the type of clothing we are used to see in pictures.
Brands like Rolex named a watch after him - The Steve McQueen Explorer.
 Iconic sunglasses company Persol has a special collection named after him.
His anti-hero persona and tormented life made an impact that won't be erased easily.

 

 

 

 

McQueen (I) - One name, two lives

L'enfant terrible of the fashion industry.

Or that's what they say. Others called him the hooligan of fashion.

What cannot be argued is that his tailoring worked magic thanks to his talent and the training at famous Savile Row's Anderson & Sheppard, among others.

Four times British Designer of the Year is not and achievement that many can reach.

The best models have gone through the catwalk by his side.

Theatrical and dramatic, never unnoticed. 

McQueen designed Bjork's outfit for the album cover of Homogenic and Lady Gaga.

With Sarah Burton taking over him, McQueen's legacy will be perpetueted.

Let's see a piece of art to remember him

His final collection:

Alexander McQueen AW 10/11

Jena.Theo - Joint forces

Jena.Theo was founded in 2009 by Jenny Holmes and Dimitris Theocharidis from their mutual admiration. Working together under their own label made the results even better, winning the Fashion Fringe award in 2009. 

The collections of these two talented designers are truly unique. 

The combination of two styles makes the garments beautifully voluminous and delicate at the same time, with attention focused on the feminine silhouette

They are becoming well known for their timeless clothing, including silk chiffon shirts and printed evening dresses

Next steps? A denim line and some experimentation with traditional painting techniques

We'll keep an eye on them