H&M for Brick Lane Brick Men's Capsule Collection

This spring, H&M will release a men’s capsule collection with East London-based custom bike shop called Brick Lane Bike. This collection is unlike any of H&M recent high profile collaboration with fashion brand like Maison Martin Margiela and Versace because this concept comes from the streets. Brick Lane Bike is an independent shop that specializes in selling fixed-gear bikes with no apparel sold in their shop. The collection was inspired by the modern urban cyclist with each piece having technical details suitable for better cycling and everyday activity. Designed by H&M designer Petter Klusell and tested by the Brick Lane Bike team, together they combine their expertise and release a collection that combines both fashion and functionality. 

Feya Buchwald, the founder of Brick Lane Bikes said “This collection captures the energy and excitement of Brick Lane Bikes, along with our respect for the traditions of cycling. I love how the technical details become part of the look of each piece, while the colours bring cycling’s heritage to life. I can’t wait to see guys wearing these clothes as they ride the streets of the world”
  
This collection ranges from 11-pieces and is highlighted by a water-repellent rider jacket that can be worn as a backpack if it gets to hot, articulated blazers with smart stretch technology that allows movement and vintage-inspired bike jerseys made from merino wool. The entire collection is made from sustainable materials such as organic cottons and it’s part of H&M’s Conscious Vision. For full look of the collection click here to see. It will be available in H&M worldwide on March 7^th in selection stores. 

_Cyprian Chan

Menswear: Tie-ing Trends Together

These days I am seeing a lot of different ties and how to “tie” them together. These trends have been a main focus on menswear for a while and putting pressure on men to look prim and proper. They keep men’s outfits looking sophisticated with character and ready for any occasion.

 Paisley Ties

Paisley ties can be more fun to play around with and can give a sophisticated, dapper or have a renegade feel depending on how you style them together.

To keep a more sophisticated look, pick a bigger tie knot to have such as the “pratt knot” and pair it with a pin stripe suit. Focus more on darker colour combinations such as green, brown and deep purple.

This will give a fresh look to perk up a long day at the office.

 

A dapper look consists of more pastel colours such as lavender with a 3-3.5 inch tie width. This is considered more attention grabbing and flashy.

 My muse Chuck Bass, always looking dapper with a "skinny look" in his favorite colour purple.

Renegade is considered to be a vintage style that is created by putting muted colours together. This is paired with fabrics such as silk and wool to give a "Mad Men" feel. A good paisley tie will give a pop of colour in your outfit, but still contained for a night out.

 This will make the vintage male "Mad Men" sheek with complementing tones. Why not also pair your outfit with some gold hues?

Nowadays there are lots of ties that a man can use to change up his as Justin Timberlake would say, “Suit and Tie”. Here are the following most popular video variations of different knots to try out for the workplace or a night out on the town.

 

Fancier Knots

 

Trinity Knot

Eldredge Knot

Cape Necktie Knot

 

Work Appropriate Knots (Most Used)

 

Four in Hand Knot

Pratt Knot

-Jill M

The Amazing Menswear Dog

Ever since the appearance of the now infamous Ikea monkey, I've been quite obsessed with fashionably dressed animals! Although, I do feel it necessary to mention, that despite animals having survived for well over 500 million years without clothes, there is no harm in having a bit of fun! Especially if the partaker is enjoying themselves as well.

If you haven't already heard about the Menswear Dog then I suggest you check it out! It's a newly founded, creative style blog that features Bodhi the handsome Shibu Ina. The creators of the blog are graphic designer David Fung (28) and his girlfriend and fashion designer Yena Kim (26). They just launched their blog a mere eight days ago and it has already gone viral, appearing on the likes of GQ only twelve hours after their blog's soft launch.

Fashion Designer Yena Kim (Pictured Left) and Graphic Designer David Fung (Pictured Right) on Anderson Live

Orange Ya Glad!?

by Derek Dotto

Finally! Menswear designers are learning to say "no!" to black and grey, and pick up a new colour palette, emphasis on colour.

While achromatic looks still ruled the runways in Paris and Milan, the collections were uncharacteristically bright this season. The stand out for Fall 2011: Orange! From tangerine to burnt sunrise, designers experimented with shades and hues more typically seen during the warmer months.

Almost 20 collections featured pieces in orange. For some it was an accent only seen on one or two garments, like at Burberry and Georgio Armani. Others used the warm hue to carry the collection. At Jil Sander, it looked as though someone spilled a bag of Doritos all over the runway. Creative director Raf Simons incorporated orange into more than half a dozen looks in the form of knit tops, as well as a blazer and trousers.

My pick for the best handling of this often-tricky colour would be at Mugler. For his debut collection with the legendary fashion house, Lady Gaga’s stylist, Nicola Formichetti, countered intense, black, sharp-shouldered, latex-laden looks with an equally intense shade that can be most closely compared to that of a traffic cone. Applied to a slim suit (left), cropped jacket, and baggy, pleated trousers, this colour provided a much-needed lightness to the show.

Alas, you won’t see me wearing any of this anytime soon. No it’s not just the price tag on these labels that scares me off. As a self-confessed semi-ginger, orange just isn’t my colour.

Burberry Fall 2011

Georgio Armani Fall 2011

Jil Sander Fall 2011

Mugler Fall 2011

(All photos courtesy of Style.com)