If you happened to pick up the holiday issue of H&M magazine while out buying gifts you may have noticed that H&M has opened a new store in Barcelona.  So, if you have money laying around this winter season and want to take a little vacation, grab a plane ride to the Kingdom of Spain (wouldn’t it be nice). The new space is designed by Javier Mariscal, one of the most acclaimed Spanish artists of the last century.  His artistic versatility spans from painting and sculpture to interior design and landscaping.  Mariscal’s construction of the new H&M had flexibility in mind, allowing for different layout combinations depending on the shop’s necessities, a concept Mariscal describes as ‘removable design’.

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Tags: apparel, Art, Barcelona, Design, Fashion, H&M, interior design, Javier Mariscal, Portal del Angel

 It’s no secret that purple is the new black, but are the boys daring enough to go with it?  Raspberry reds and purples were gracing the runways for menswear as well as  womenswear this season.  It’s quite dashing paired with blacks and greys.  

No need to invest in a three piece purple velvet vintage suit. A little bit of color goes a long  way.

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Tags: clothes, fall/winter 2008, Fashion, Hot for Fall, Menswear, purple, Purple is the new black

 Winter is a shimmering time of year so why not let your nails in on the fun.  Metallic shades are all the rage this season in hues from silver to steel.  The key is to use polish that contains fine glitter and stay away from the chunky glitter types.  (OPI always makes a nice polish).

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Tags: Fashion, glitter, metallic, nailpolish, nails, OPI, silver, winter fashion

The rough and unfinished woolen fabric we know and love as “tweed” is cold weather friendly and looks great while keeping you warm.  Tweed improves with age so go ahead and splurge on a jacket or vest.  Your new item will keep you looking dashingly rustic.

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Tags: clothes, fall fashion, Fall Menswear, Fashion, Fashion Trends, Timeless, Tweed

Economy may be under stressful times, but this doesn’t mean your wardrobe should feel the same.  This season is all about the three R’s: Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse.  With many of the trend’s of the late 20′s and early 30′s back in action (ironic, perhaps?), it is time to chop off some pants into pedal-pushers and raid grandpa’s old time closeted looks, keep your eye out especially for those vintage shoes. 

 Many of the men’s runway collections were filled with greys, browns, and tans this season with subtle minglings of blue, green, and yellow hues.  Pull on an old pair of jeans, a heavy knit sweater, add some suspenders (I am totally digging the suspenders) and you’re ready to go.  Oh! and don’t forget the polishing power of a scarf. Keep color and print in mind. 

FYI: Plaid is still going strong.

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Tags: 20's, 30's, depression, economy, fall, Fashion, mens fashion, pedal-pushers, plaid, recycle, reduse, reuse, runway, suspenders, vintage

Gentlemen, may you never underestimate the worth of a quality pair of long johns.  As the season reaches lower on the briskness barometer, the old fashioned undergarment will make you appear unaffected by mother nature’s cold shoulder. Although the man in the picture looks pretty spicy in his get-up, George Hamilton recommends a quilted silk fabric and includes the johns on his ten essentials list.

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Tags: clothes, fall fashion, Fashion, gentlemen, george hamilton, long-johns, mens fashion, top ten

Terry Richardson takes pictures.  The subjects of his pictures tend to be some what famous and some what sexy, as one of the world’s most sought after photographers, I’m sure its just part of the job.  Through the lens of a camera he is able to capture the raw essence of his subjects while creating a tragic, provocative, and gorgeous photo.

Terry was born in New York City in 1965 but spent most of his childhood growing up in California.  When his rock band fell apart, with a little nudge from his mother, Terry put down his bass guitar and picked up a camera.

His work is not limited to celebrity portraits.  In fact, he has an impressive resume of big time magazine editorials and fashion designer advertisements.  Gucci, Levi, Miu Miu, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and GQ are only a few of the names Terry has considered a client.  Richardson is at the top of his game, and continues to produce cutting edge work.  Keep your eyes out for this man, he is one of the best American photographers today.

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Tags: 1965, amy winehouse, Art, bass guitar, camera, celebrity, courtney love, famous, Fashion, GQ, Gucci, harpers bazaar, james franco, josh hartnett, Levi, lindsay lohan, mcully kulken, Miu Miu, nyc, photographers, photography, photos, pictures, rock band, Terry Richardson, vogue

In a world where names mean everything, we must sit back and diagnose what exactly “everything” is.  Precedent to the 90′s era a fashion label showcased a designer’s artistry and ingenuity.  Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Oscar de la Renta were not only the name of their lines but the faces of them as well. Coco Chanel posed for her own perfume advertisements.  Oscar de la Renta would, and still does, draw all of the sketches for his seasonal lines by hand.  

As our sage couturiers near the age of retirement we find ourselves at a fork in the fashion world.  More and more designers out of school are working together in studios under the name of a celebrity who appears to have credibility as a fashion icon and thus, my friends, a brand is born.  

Brands seem, to me, almost counterfeit.  I want to know who’s work lies behind the mask.  A name is more substantive and the allure of a designer is irreplaceable.

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Tags: 90s era, Brand, celebrity, Coco Chanel, couturier, Design, Fashion, fashion icon, Oscar de la Renta, retirement, seasonal, sketches, Yves Saint Laurent

Don’t be afraid to break out the ever popular biker staple this season.  Leather has a rocking way of adding edge to any outfit. Instead of the typical jacket or glove try wearing leather tights or leggings instead.  They are perfect under a long sweater or even a delicate dress.  

FYI: Pair leather with softer fabrics for a more finished and subtle look.

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Tags: biker, clothes, fall, Fashion, leather, Leggings, runway, season, tights

Appearing in the west around the early 1700′s, hundreds of years after its origination in China, screen-printing didn’t become popular until the Andy Warhol phenonmenon in the 1960′s.  Almost 50 years later screen-printing is highly recognized in underground subcultures, drawing appeal from it’s “do it yourself” mentality and feel.  Unlike other methods of printing such as woodcutting and lithography, a printing press is unnecessary.  Screen(s), a squeegee, and ink are your basic essentials. The following are two independent print designers worth checking out.

Avalove, a designer from Los Angeles, takes inspiration from nature’s organic beauty and creates prints out of her poetry.  Some designs include lupin flowers, peacock feathers, and hummingbirds.  Avalove’s apparel is mostly hand sewn and is not mass produced.  She is having a sample sale today, October 25th in NYC on park avenue btw 17th and 23rd street.  Avalove will also be open at the Grand Central Holiday Market from November 15th through December 31st. 

Kevin John Gomez, a new designer out Rochester, NY,  is so fresh he currently has only one design available for purchase.  With a graphics background his prints draw attention through an abstract appearance. If you ask Kevin what the meaning of the design is he’ll say it’s up for interpretation.  Arms & Legs, his original T, is available online.  Keep your eyes open for more of his designs in the near future.

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Tags: 1960's, abstract, andy warhol, arms & Legs, Art, Avalove, China, clothes, Design, Fashion, graphic design, holiday market, hummingbirds, kevin john gomez, lithography, New York, poetry, print, rochester, sample sale, Screen-printing, woodcutting