SPLURGE - 20 Years of Dolce & Gabbana for Men - $158

Dolce & Gabbana do great books, and I'm sure the latest compilation for their 20th anniversary in menswear will not disappoint (especially with art direction from Fabien Baron). The book is available for pre-order at a discount from it's $250 sticker price on Amazon so get it while its "cheap". Splurge.

AD WATCH - Y-3 - Fall/Winter 2010-2011

I love when the fashion ads break. Every time the seasons change I flip through the men's magazines to see each brands distilled vision for the season. Ad Watch will serve as a collection of all of my favorite ad campaigns, as well as ones I find interesting and worth sharing for whatever reason. Rather than bombard you with separate posts for each campaign, I will simply continue to add to this one post, so that all of the shots can be collected each season. I hope you enjoy my take.

1. Y-3

Y-3 has done an excellent job of composing their Fall/Winter ads into a series of 3 images (1 displayed above) made up of a group of models covered in Yohji Yamamoto's offerings for the Adidas owned brand, styled by Nicola Formichetti (Lady Gaga's personal stylist), and photographed by Alasdair McLellan. The styling is impeccable and every piece just makes me yearn for those chilly days when I throw on a big coat and walk around the city.

2. Versace

Though their clothes may be a tad overwhelming at times, Versace has done an amazing job with their campaign this season. The models' long hair resting on fitted garments perfectly evokes Versace's rock star vibe. Despite its rather simple set and composition, the black and white, sharp nature of the images creates a bold scene that is a standout in any publication.

3. Bottega Veneta

A quick trip to Bottega Veneta's brand new website reveals that they put much time and thought into their campaigns, all of which have been collaborations with well known artists and photographers. This season Tomas Meir turned to Robert Longo to evoke the motion of his pieces for Fall. The result is a simple, yet dynamic set of photographs.

4. Hilfiger Denim

A little crazy, a little edgy, a little fun, a lot of Hilfiger. Tommy Hilfiger has captured a great group of models in a rather large collection of quarkey images that is perfect for a brand that is all about putting a spin on cool American classics.

5. Dolce & Gabbana

Does anyone else think this is a little queer (in both senses of the word)? Not that I care, but I thought the Dolce & Gabbana man was supposed to ooze masculinity... Here is looks like the one model with a drink is observing all of the others undress, and Adam Senn is just happy to have him watch. Even the tailor is looking a bit uncomfortable.

6. American Eagle

I saw this American Eagle campaign on a pay phone booth and thought it was a great new direction for the brand. The ads looked so polished and clean, two things that American Eagle usually is not. I was pretty proud of them, but then I saw the ad un-cropped: Looks a lot like the old Burberry ads with Agyness Deyn and Lily Donaldson doesn't it? All of the models draped over each other and staring up at the camera. Oh well, at least they are trying...

7. Lanvin

These two ads are beautiful. The clothes, the models, the simplicity... the clothes...

8. John Varvatos

After 10 years in the fashion industry, John Varvatos has managed to stay consistent with his rocker chic style as he has with his advertising campaigns featuring rock Gods decked out in his stage worthy wears. For this season, though, Mr. Varvatos has done an excellent job of creating the perfect mashup of the past 10 years with wit, humor, and style.

9. Yves Saint Laurent

Bold and to the point, YSL's Fall/Winter campaign will surely pop off of the page with its striking composition and, of course, stylish clothing.

10. Tom Ford

Tom Ford usually focuses his ad campaigns on the chest and up, allowing for his neckwear and eyewear to stand center stage, and this season is no exception. For the past few seasons Nicholas Hoult has served as Mr. Ford's muse (both in fashion and in film), and Fall/Winter casts Hoult along with a flock of black birds (ravens or crows?). Is it just me, or does Mr. Hoult look somewhat like Ford himself this season?

11. D&G

D&G never fails to disappoint with their ad campaigns that just make you happy. Don't they all look so giddy to be beautiful, rich, stylish, and somehow not cold in their revealing ensembles? I would be too.

12. Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy's new campaign for fall, entitled "The Ultimate Tailgate," is more than just a picture. I'll leave it to WWD to fully explain the scope of the marketing blitz, but all I can say with regards to the print ads is that they have done an amazing job of creating a preppy, stylish, and diverse group that accurately represents the DNA of the Tommy Hilfiger Brand.

13. Dior Homme

Chic and simple ads that put the clothes in the forefront.

14. T by Alexander Wang

Another modest ad with a relaxed setting and relaxed clothes. The brand name is graphic but not overbearing on the clothes. Somewhat similar to what Dior did above, but more casual. Overall a pretty solid starting point for Alex Wang.

WEEKDAY WATCHING - CNN Revealed, Dolce & Gabbana

20 years in the menswear business ain't no joke, and neither are Dolce & Gabbana. Likewise, their brand, after two decades, has truly established itself as a juggernaut in the men's market. Though that may seem intimidating to the average customer - sorry, luxury customer - judging from this video of the two in action, they are nothing but sweet, welcoming people genuinely enamored with their work in design. Enjoy the video from CNN's Revealed series and make sure to check out their beautiful Spring 2011 collection.

SPLURGE - Spring 2011 Pre-Orders

I know, I know, I have been doing a lot of splurges lately, but can you really blame me for this one? I go for a quick view of luisaviaroma and discover that they have pre-orders for the Spring 2011 collections online already! And by look! I always think it's exciting to see what actually makes it into stores after the runway shows, and judging by the selection on luisaviaroma, it's a fair amount, but under half of the runway offerings (at least so far) for the majority of the collections. Anyway, I went through it all and pulled my favorites from the Dior Homme, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, KrisVanAssche, Dsquared², and Neil Barrett shows. The prices are out of control, but there is no doubt that these are some beautiful garments (and shoes). Splurge - come Spring.

(Burberry Prorsum Coat - $2,495.00)

(Burberry Prorsum Belted Leather Jacket - $3,899.00)

(Burberry Prorsum Side-Zip Sweater - $1,095.00)

(Burberry Prorsum Trench - $2395.00)

(Dior Homme Jacket - $2,258.20)

(Dolce & Gabbana Ripped Faded Jeans - $544.90)

(Dolce & Gabbana Faded Jeans - $461.00)

(Dolce & Gabbana Lace-up Shoes - $527.10)

(Dolce & Gabbana Shorts - $522.20)

(Dsquared² Double-Breasted Jacket - $1,836.00)

(KrisVanAssche Belted Jacket - $1396.00)

(Neil Barrett Khaki Jacket - 1,032.90)

Dolce & Gabbana - Spring 2011 - Review

Effortless, comfortable, but ultimately masculine looks dominated the 20th anniversary runway of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana's menswear collection for their world renowned brand. Muted beiges and whites mixed with diluted blacks and greens were the standout colors in a collection so relaxed that multiple models walked the runway in nothing but briefs. Brogues and sandals were the shoes of choice, and the fabrics ranged from fine linens, to soft cottons, to textured leathers.

In a collection of over 93 looks, the standout pieces included paper bag shorts, sheer polos, open-weave oversized sweaters, and perfectly ripped jeans in various washes. Every single model that walked the runway looked at ease and luxurious. Though this is to be expected at the Dolce & Gabbana show, I cannot help but deem this collection their best yet. Though I cannot afford all of these pieces, I certainly want every last one of them in my closet. I can whole-heartedly say that I now want to be the Dolce & Gabbana man that wears these clothes. Every look was superior, but somehow not intimidating like many high priced designer goods can be, and communicated a sumptuous and luxe message that any man would be lucky to embrace.

Another interesting facet of the collection that is visibly lacking in those less experienced and less grand designer collections, is the story. Viewing this collection I am taken on a journey and at the end, understand what the Dolce & Gabbana man is all about. I believe that this aspect of a collection is most important, especially when the designer is asking the customer to invest hundreds to thousands of dollars in their wears.

At the end, as has become the norm in the Dolce & Gabbana shows, the models stormed the runway in matching black tailored suits, like an army of perfectly dressed Italians. One day, I hope to enlist.