Franco

Music I'm obsessing over

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 20:57:00 +0000

Okay, I should just say up front that these are not going to be songs by Britney Spears, Lady Gag Gag or Justin Beiber. These artists may be popular, but that doesn't mean their good

Here are some songs I'm loving right now

Keep in mind that some of these songs might be old as fuck, but I'm loving them and thats all that matters =)

This song makes me want to buy a really cool switch blade, and get into a street fight

This song makes me want to drive around in a convertable and be outside in the sun

This is the song I want to be buried to

This song reminds me of my childhood

This song, like the first one, also makes me want to buy a switch blade and get into a street fight

This song makes me want to run howling into the night

My Photography

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:57:00 +0000

mfw f/w 2010 pt. 6

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:25:00 +0000

I'm bored as shit and I'm craving new music so I'm just looking up random shit on lala.com, one of my new favorite music sites, its like a mecca and has just about everything. Anyways, lets get this started.

Effectively putting his boyish charm to rest, Phillip Lim took his men on a wild ride through the city for the upcoming season. With hair slicked back and strapped boots in toll, Lim’s vision of the city involved bulky coats cinched at the waist and paired with semi-slim silhouettes. Using leather once more to lend his range an edge, Lim looked to monochromatic numbers to navigate the city. However, it was the collection’s tonal checks that made the mostsignificant impact. Based in browns, but graphically strong, Lim’s checks immediately registered as a key symbol of the season. Altogether conservative, but slightly exaggerated proportion-wise, Phillip Lim’s fall outing steers the line in a more market-friendly direction that should boast well for the designer.

Unable to focus this season’s inspirations, Paul Smith decided on the next best course of action–return to his roots. Thinking back to his days of creating clothes for musicians, Smith decided on avaried range with pieces for rock-minded men of all ages. From nostalgic knickers, a wide spectrum of suiting and an asymmetrical cape to plaid punk numbers, Smith turned out yet another exciting show of balanced color and proportion.

American designer Tim Hamilton plays a gloomy hand as his abstract designs compete with a black and gray fall season. Fortunately, the designer keeps things interesting with rounded silhouettes, subtle prints and luxe sequins. Possessing both an effortless edginess and at times a gentle sensibility, the Hamilton man weaves in and out of looks that demonstrate a masculine certainty alongside a gritty penchant for fashion as an art.

Ushering in a sea of buffalo checks, stripes, denim washes, speckles, patches and plaid, Miharayasuhiro’s latest collection gave the appearance that its models had raided a goodwill store with an interesting outcome by chance. Embracing an eclectic nature, the range finds itself with plenty of lively shirting options as well as chunky knits that double as outerwear. Meanwhile, proportions are all over the board, with the majority of pieces enjoying an oversize comfort. Rounding out the collection is the choice to take on a conservative pair of slim-fitted trousers or thecollection’s more personable approach to patched denim. Overall, the range maintains a casualness that is in sync with the times, offering a certain charm and a piece for everyone.

Sticking to true form, nothing is too out of the ordinary for Commedes Garçons SHIRT this season. Blending vivid plaid prints as always, the label pairs most of its bold shirting with relaxed solid trousers for a somewhat grounded look.

The mood was upbeat at today’s Kenzo show, where designer Antonio Marras looked to French filmmaker Jacques Tati for inspiration. Taking a cue from an older generation, Marras based fall’s collection around tweed, houndstooth, muted plaid and abstract prints. Accenting a generally gray color palette with the occasional sightings of red, brown and orange, cropped jackets and ankle baring trousers were made complete with spacious outerwear. Altogether, crafting a charming nostalgic affair, Marras delivered an inspiring collection that ended with a bang as models took to Place desVictoires for a showstoping finale.

The mention of Rick Owens may evoke images of the edgy rebel clad in head-to-toe black, but without apparent effort, the designer creates a chic vision for fall. Minimal and unaffected under constraint, Owens turns to clay tones fora wide spectrum of soft yet masculine looks. While funnel collars come in all shapes and sizes, Owens’ earthy layering looks to texture and winged shapes for purpose. Building off of a fall wardrobe that is not afraid to bare arms, the collection takes special aim at tanks and sleeveless knits, before rounding off the season with boots dressed in a daring reptile print.

Standing out in stark black and white, the latest collection from Blaak Homme designers Sachiko Okada and Aaron Sharif turns to the church for inspiration. While the oversize rosary and crown of thorns make for controversial pieces of discussion, robe-inspired proportions take minimal design in a striking direction. Avoiding any great use of volume, a certain lightness is achieved where Okada and Sharif fashion a dynamic wardrobe that can be dressed up or down and applied to the year’s seasons at large.

Borrowing this season’s theme from the Rolling Stones song Paint It Black, designers Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren bring their signature menswear quirks to the runway for the first time. Unveiling a refinedcollection based in a dark color palette, points of interest are sporadic as the Viktor & Rolf man is doused in paint. Always alert of this danger, the collection provides for a juxtaposing of the formal and casual, ranging from quilting and trousers with elasticated cuffs to the full on dinner jacket. Staging a small show for the first time around, Viktor & Rolf played it cautious, but with added confidence and a penchant for the absurd, the sky is the limit with the future boding well.

Taking shape on the runway this season, Juun J showcases a more structured perspective. Blending a keen eye for details with a progressive thirst, vivid colors meet a static sea of black and gray for a dynamic presentation. Balancing wide and narrow proportions, special attention is shared between billowing sleeves and trousers, while dramatic hoods further the collection’s momentum. Altogether, Juun J transports his man to a world where he has to show a hard exterior, but beneath rests soft layers of care and thoughtfulness. From the subtle asymmetrical cut and leather insert to added length and volume, Juun J successfully bridges the gap between the accessible and the inventive.

Louis Vuitton plays it safe this season with a relaxed attempt at formal suiting. Adding leather inserts to jackets and elasticated cuffs to trousers, the Louis Vuitton man moves to downplay his prestige. Down outerwear may help his case, but the collection overall comes across as static with the exception of an arresting pair of duo-tone colored boots.

Violence takes center stage on the runway once more this season with Jean Paul Gaultier looking to boxing for inspiration. Avoiding a stale blackout, Gaultier infuses his range with a brilliant mix of silhouettes and standoutsmodeled after the boxer’s uniform. With enough versatility to be taken in the direction of either casual or formal wear, robe-like outerwear,voluminous waistlines, tapered legs and multi-functional leather give shape to a plethora of ready-to-layer basics and suiting separates.

Pringle of Scotland returns to the runway with designer Claire Waight Keller aiming to balance the softness of knits with the projection of masculinity. Masked in black, this goal is put to the ultimate test with the inclusion of skirts, but Keller comes out on top, offering structured suiting and outerwear to give her man a dynamic armor.

Okay, Im done for this post, thanks for reading...who ever IS reading this

mfw f/w 2010 pt. 5

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:20:00 +0000

Okay lets get this started

For the fall 2010 season, J.W. Anderson’smore graceful approach to menswear is at odds with an imaginative rebellious faction. Inspired by “saints or assassins with across-country paramilitary vibe”, Anderson pulls from varied references including his Irish heritage. The result are constrasting elements that can be interpreted in several ways. For instance, the romantic idea ofcountryside plaid is understated with subdued colors and asemi-traditional cut before going the way of a punk aesthetic with avibrant red and more modern cuts. From stern dark suiting and bold wraps to the quaint cardigan, J.W. Anderson layers this season’scollection with excitement and unexpectedness.

OH AND I FUCKING LOVE THOSE BOOTS!!! UGHHH I WANT!!!

Topman pulls away from the pack this season to stage their first stand alone show. Delving into an earthy color palette that has its fair share of browns and burgundy accents, the collection exhibits a certain militaristic touch. While outerwear steals the show with an oversize appeal, a nature motif is explored with gradients across the collection’s shirting. Meanwhile, relaxed trousers round out a range that combines a young and masculine aesthetic with a progressive style.

Loden Dager’s latest endeavor is a precise exercise in the gradual dissection of menswear standards. Taking a refreshingly light approach to fall, relaxed suits are dressed in an array of both neutral and jovial colors. Initially a conservative focus, this point of view unravels as the collection progresses with looser silhouettes that hang freely from the body as separates take on voluminous belted outerwear and cape-inspired jackets. From dropped crotches and folded waistlines to safe shirting options, Loden Dager opts for a stylish season of wide appeal. Infusing a modern sophistication with a certain informality,Loden Dager arrives at the perfect balance of substance and style.

The downsides of love may have been Yohji Yamamoto’s inspiration for Y-3’slatest outing, but romance was to be found in the sheer movement and drape of his designs. Geared as always to the athletic minded and style aficionado at heart, Yamamoto turned out a dark collection of billowing tops, capes and bottoms that took his vision for Adidas to the nextlevel. Infusing sportswear with a tongue-in-cheek formality, Yamamoto delivered a great variety of lively pieces that were not complete without his signature oversize fit.

Uhhh yea I want this whole outfit, just sayin

Undeniably one of menswear’s most rebellious designers, Thom Browne looks to old New York as his inspiration for fall’s collection. Letting out his shrunken silhouette, the outlandish designer took to exaggerated proportions to convey an overindulgent sense of luxury.With fur spilling out of the unlikeliest places, Browne turned to outerwear as a clear component of the collection’s worth, while elongated knits and tops made a wild splash against Browne’s impeccably tailored suiting. Whether his proportions are large or small, fall’s outing reaffirms Browne’s unwillingness to compromise his vision to the whims of the times.

Taking a step back from last season’s collection, designer Richard Chai opts for a casual fall season of blues, grays and blacks. Evoking the image of the boy next door, Chai ties together a string of loose easily integrable pieces that imitate a little wear around the edges withoil-like gradients, thin layers and slouchy fits. Continuing a comfortable blend of streetwear with a high fashion approach, Chai crafts a sophisticated yet relaxed fall season.

Opting for a presentation this season, but still giving his audience the runway experience, Patrik Ervell sent his models into a flurry as they were put on constant rotation making their way through a maze-like setup–dissected by the suspended pieces of translucent fabric that in fact mirrored the collection’s constrained playfulness. Fitted and strong on structure, Ervell’s minimalist tendencies were fused with the unexpected gracefulness of soft moving latex rubber and transparent vinyl. The product of a finely executed imagination, Ervell’s simple eccentricities blended harmoniously with with neutral based garments, crafted from wool and tweed. Set to the frantic music of Terry Riley, Ervell served abeautiful collection of controlled insanity–monochromatic numbers, meticulous tailoring and a uniform fit that felt fresh yet organic.

As the line continues to blur between Raf Simons work for Jil Sander and his own line, the Belgian designer attempts to shock with a collection that tests the constraints of gender. Embellishing well-tailored suiting with magnetic snaps and zippers, Simons goes another step, adding form-fitting knits and wrap skirts to the equation. Further differentiating the range from other seasons, broken geometrics find a random home spread out across the collection’stops and jackets. At large, Simons has several design elements at playthat often conflict with each other, leaving the collection’s strength to its minimalist assets found in unworked suiting that ultimately provides the range with its strong foundation.

Lanvin creative director Alber Elbaz explained that the latest collection from the French fashion house took its inspirations from the street, looking to the style of everyday people for motivation. Developing this theme,designer Lucas Ossendrijver turned to a smart mix of both low-key and luxe pieces. Balancing the fitted with the relaxed, the collection looked to slouchy knits, lived-in trousers, functional outerwear and cinched waists for a subtle wardrobe update. Rounded out in a primary color palette with a hint of autumn, the collection is deserving of praise for its construction and effortless silhouettes.

Okay, thats enough for today, I'm pooped. Good night, who ever is reading this....

mfw f/w 2010 pt. 4

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:32:00 +0000

I'm just going to jump right in again. I've downloaded so many pictures that I'm starting to get confused which city they came from, so deal with it...whomever is reading this...which is probably no one.

A tame outing for Duckie Brown,designers Daniel Silver and Steven Cox deliver a youthful collectionwith punk attitude. While tweed demonstrates a certain sensibility,bold plaid and tailored but shrunken suiting embrace Duckie Brown’spenchant for the standout silhouette.

Leaving his dandy behind, Antonio Azzuolotakes a trip west this fall. Combining quirky knits with suitingseparates, Azzuolo breaks with structure and shows a more casual sidefor a change. Going the way of unexpected, the collection evokes aretro vibe in favor of the excitement provided by a second life and newuses. Also tipping the scales in favor of trends, leggings find theirway into the collection, being paired with suiting trousers.Altogether, fall’s collection brings together an unusual grouping ofaesthetics that will prove to either be a hit or miss.

Offering both loose and fitted ensembles for next season, b Store strikes a fine note with their latest offerings. Balancing high fashionproportions with the man of casual aspirations, b Store designersMatthew Murphy and Kirk Beattie craft a smart collection of manyoptions. While tailored suiting is the norm for b Store, a revamping ofeveryday apparel speaks to high street culture. From leggings andoversize knits to boxy cropped coats, b Store delivers consistentquality alongside a collection that is both current and fresh.

Madrid-based designer David Delfin made a splash at this past New York Fashion Week with his colorfulnamesake label. Accenting a somber gray palette with a lively yellow,the designer had his men walking to a quirky beat of their own making.Taking on the traditional suit, Elfin looked to a form-conscioussilhouette as well as interesting short combos to break up themelancholy of safe standbys. With boxy necklines and deconstructedsuiting elements, Elfin delivered fine form mixed with a little humor.

Mixing suiting and streetwear, DKNYgets in touch with their urban side this season. Dark and somber, thecollection bundles up for fall’s initial cold, looking to quilting andmountain boots to set the tone. Meanwhile, pleated trousers areslightly baggy and suitable for all occassions, not only giving DKNY’sman a city edge, but a modern grace. Effortlessly dressed head to toe,fall’s collection hits the right note for both the style aficionado andthe everyday man.

Giorgio Armani turns to blue, black and gray this season to dress his man in an arrayof prints and geometrics. Using the silhouette as a tapestry,conventional fabrics are given an intimate impression with the blendingof romantic undertones and sporty aspirations. Altogether, Armanidelivers a collection that improves upon last season with a finelyexecuted vision that sets his artistic range apart from hiscontemporaries.

Riccardo Tisci’s bad boys have grown up in one short season, leavingbehind a bold gang-inspired range in turn for a progressive look thatis as edgy as it is sophisticated. Not one to be barred by convention,Tisci sends his sandal-wearing Givenchy men down the runway in lean silhouettes that are made complete withlayered shorts and skirts. Meanwhile, bib shirts provide great contrastagainst the collection’s contemporary leather numbers, while alsoillustrating Tisci’s genius blending of the formal and informal. My favorite collection so far.

As a majority of designers avoid color like its the plague, Issey Miyake creative director Dai Fujiwara delivers a refreshing jolt of color. Notafraid to embrace bold colors and prints, the garments of Fujiwara’sman exude a chic lived-in quality. Utilizing darting and wrinkledfabrics, unique garments are created that convey a certain lightness,while also being appropriate for both fall and periods of transition.

Designer Raf Simons continues to test the boundaries of minimalism with his latest collection for Jil Sander.When not gracing the silhouette with soft tailoring, Simonsaggressively cuts and pulls at the material with darts and sharp hems.With a stationary color palette of blacks and clays, Simons focuses theattention on the details, which has very much become the image of JilSander.

Thats enough for today, I feel like I got a lot accomplished today. I took the collection quotes from one of my favorite fashion websites,http://thefashionisto.com/blog/ , an amazing blog with just about anything and everything in mens fashion. Thanks for reading...whomever IS reading this

Alexander McQueen

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 08:17:00 +0000

R.I.P, such genious and talent. Its so sad to know that such genious will not exist in the world ever again

mfw f/w 2010 pt. 3

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:14:00 +0000

I'm just going to get right into it, I last left off Dolce and Gabbana, that shit storm

Dsquared. When I first saw this collection, I fell in love with it. Graphic printed shirts, leather, and blood. But after I've seen all of the other collections, this one slipped to the back of my memory. Its okay, not the best, but good

Dunhill. Very English gentleman, very classic with a modern twist, I cant say enough great things about this collection. Love.

Dries Van Noten. Mixing plaids, and solid colors, it creates a juxtaposition of dressy and casual. Very different

Emporio Armani. Classic suits, with airy scarfs, a good melding of masculine and feminine.

Etro. I could do without the leggings, but I love the long knitted scarves and the golden accessories. Really like

Frankie Morello. I love this collection, suits, graphic shirts, skirts, scarves and necklaces. Really nice

Gaspard. Slim suits, with different ideas of the way a suit should be made. Flashes of sequins, random patchwork. Really nice and different

Giuliano Fujiwara. Very apocalyptic and end of the earth. Like but not love

Gianfranco Ferre. Lots of leather and knitwear, I'm not really a fan of leather, but this one is not that bad. Very different and elegant

Thats enough for today, next time I will feature even MORE!!!....whomever is reading this

MFW F/W 2010 pt. 2

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:34:00 +0000

Okay, I should probably be doing my homework, I have two homework assignments that I have to submit electronically. Then I have to study for two tests that I haven't studied for at all, but, I'm going to procrastinate and do another post on Mens Fashion Week, because I'm clearly not busy at all. I have enough time to do another blog post that will take away time from my precious procrastination time. UGH!

Okay here we go,

We left off with Burberry and we will start with

Canali. I think that this season for Canali is okay, just okay, they are clearly trying to go along with the route of very classy and chic men, but its very bland, nothing too excitiing or breath taking, good but not great.

Cerruti. Love this season by Cerruti, unlike Canali, Cerruti blends the past with the present and with flashes of structuralism and slimness with a nod to the past. Beautiful

Comme de Garcon. I looked at this collection, and couldnt find much that I liked, but I did like the assymetrical vests and high water slim trousers with flashes of of colorful socks. Like, but not love.

Costume National. Beautiful blacks, with drapery up the ying yang, with pops of skin, it is very vampiresque and gothic. Love.

Damir Doma. Lots of layering, with bath robe like robes with draping and bare legs. I really this one, its very different and inspiring

Dior Homme. Kris van Assche tries to make a up for the fact of Hedi Slimane leaving Dior Homme, and I dont think it will ever be as good, but it is very different. High water pants in muted colors and black, with loose jackets.Good.

Last one for this post. Dolce and Gabbana, not really impressed with this season, thick knitted cardigans, pajamaesqued clothiing with dirty boots. I've seen much better from this dynamic duo.

Thats enough for today, stay tuned for part three! Whoever is reading this.....

MFW F/W 2010

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:57:00 +0000

I've been swamped ever since school started, oh the pressures of college. I'm currently going to Florida International University, FIU for short (go Panthers go....yea right, like I would ever cheer for a sports team) and I absolutely love it, even with all of the pressure of school and such.

Okay so instead of studying, and doing my homework, the things that I should be putting more of my time into, I've been obsessing over the multitude of great fashion put out at Milan and Paris' Mens fashion weeks.

Okay, I'm now going to post pictures of the best pieces of each designers, I know, I know, faggot. Whatever, hater.

Agnes B. this season chooses slim fitting sillhouettes and monochrome colors with pops of prints and bright colors. Not very impressed, but an okay effort for 52 looks.

Alexander McQueen. Bold prints, slim sillhouettes, winter face guards (I totally want one). A breath of fresh air in the Milan fashion week.

Slim fitting leggings tucked into socks, pale color palletes, chunky silver accessories. Alexis Mabille, a designer I've never heard of, crafts a world of fashionable gentleman, a world were not many men exist.

Ann Demeulemeester. Typical Ann, very dark inspirations, hard and soft edges, very vampiresque. I love this collection.

Francisco Van Benthum. A very interesting collection, dark blacks, bright whites, pops of red, sweatshirt harem pants with dress shoes. Van Benthum creates a vision of men who blur the line between what is dress wear and what is casual wear, and I have to say, I'm liking the blurring of the lines.

Blaak. The religious imagery involved in this line is something I would not expect with the stark blackness of the line itself. Including the straps that wrapped around the pant legs, the leather boots provides the perfect parts for a great collection.

Very inspired by the 50's, and doo wop culture, Bottega Veneta crafts a collection that makes the bland 50's very fashionable.

Very militaresque this season, Burberry Prorsum, creates an army of English gentleman, ready to go off to battle in awesome trenches, slim pants, and leather boots. Love.

This is the end of my first post on Mens fashion week.

Look out for part two...whomever is reading, besides myself

Clothes.

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 01:00:00 +0000

Lately I have been getting more into fashion, maybe it has to do with the fact that when we moved to Florida in my new room I have a computer, maybe it something to do with the fact that I've always just liked clothes and now am starting to love them, or maybe it has to do with the fact that I found a multitude of fashion blogs that have amazing pictures that makes me wish I was a fashion photographer working for some small fashion magazine in some distant city.

Regardless, my personal style is morphing.

When I lived in New Jersey I would definitely describe my style as hipster chic. Graphic printed shirts, usually white, with a loose plaid shirt of a big comfy cardigan that I got at a thrift store, skinny jeans and some converse or some crazy basketball sneakers.

I've always wanted to dress more preppy, but never got around to it.

Now that I've moved, I now have the opportunity to try something different. I've been shopping at Banana Republic, looking for slim fitting dress shirts and colorful V neck sweaters, and some vintage dress shoes. I'm still wearing skinny jeans, but I did order a pair of cropped pants. For those of you who do not know what cropped pants are, here is an example.

This is the fashion designer Thom Browne, who, I believe is most responsible for this craze all over mens fashion. An exposed ankle with dress shoes and no socks and a slim fitting suit. I cant tell you how much I love this suit and wish it was sitting in my closet right now.

I'm currently waiting for my cropped pants, and some vintage dress shoes that I ordered off of Etsy.com. Oh Hospice by The Antlers.

I will definitely keep you updated when I do recieve these treasures, whomever is reading this.