SAVE - Lanvin for H&M Tuxedo Blazer - $149

LANVIN FOR H&M. SEE THE FULL COLLECTION AT HM.COM

And so the saga continues... I went to H&M today to check out the Lanvin collab and they were sold out of everything in my size (small)! The remnents clinging to the hangers looked unreal, so I will definitely be checking back to see if they have the tuxedo blazer (pictured above) back in. If you are a size large, or even medium, I would suggest heading to your nearest H&M location right away. Save.

FALL MAILERS (Continued) - Bergdorf Goodman

Here is a selection of my favorite pages from the Bergdorf Goodman Fall catalogue. I picked it up in the store today while I was having lunch. As I was flipping through, I was really astounded at the quality of the images and the conservative styling. Compared to a Barneys, this is pretty simple at first sight, but the quality of the clothes lies in the sophistication, fit, and details that come with the the price tags well into the thousands of dollars that populate these pages.

Lanvin: Gray washed leather trenchcoat with boiled wool zip-off sleeves, $5,350

John Varvatos: Gray glen plaid wool quilted vest, $895/ Grey wool jacket, 41,195

Burberry Prorsum: Olive wool double-breasted coat with beige dyed shearling lining, $3,795

Ralph Lauren Purple Label: Dark sage green suede down vest, $2,995 / Plaid cashmere sport shirt, $1,295 / Light olive cashmere cable-knit crewneck sweater, $895 / Dark gray wool flannel pants, $695

The Row: Brown leather jacket with brown dyed shearing collar, $1,895 / Plaid cotton flannel button-down shirt, $725 / Charcoal cotton T-shirt, $175 / Fray cotton denim straight-leg jeans, $495

Lanvin for H&M - Lookbook

A few months ago I posted about the H&M and Lanvin collaboration that was in the works. Well the lookbook is finally here, but I'm sad to say that I have a few mixed feelings.

Right off of the bat, I was excited about the fact that H&M didn't make Lucas Ossendrijver (Lanvin's Menswear designer) skew his creative vision for the collab: a blazer with piping, fuller dress pants, and colorful patent leather shoes populate the fashionable collection that screams, "LANVIN!".

On the other hand, though those pieces are exciting, there certainly isn't anything too avant-garde. While this may seem a little contradictory to my former comment, let me explain a little further.

Lanvin is known for stylish mens pieces at exorbitant prices. They can range anywhere form a white seersucker dinner jacket, to a classic white tee bejeweled with sequins in the shape of a mosquito. This collection is no doubt Lanvin, but, unfortunately, none of my favorite pieces that I would be too afraid to buy full price trickled down. The women's collection, dissimilarly, has tons of outlandish pieces, clones of which are probably sitting in the windows of Bergdorfs or Barneys right now!

That said, I will certainly check out the more dressy options (especially the killer tuxedo jacket) to add a little pop to my wardrobe, but, overall, I don't find it exciting enough to wait online and fight some 6 foot hipster for.

Tuxedo- $299, Bowtie- $29.95, Shirt- $49.95, Shoes- $79.95, Sunglasses- $19.95

Blazer- $149, Shirt- $49.95, Tie- $29.95, Pants- $59.95, Shoes- $79.95, Sunglasses- $19.95

Coat- $249, Pants- $59.95, Scarf- $49.95, Shirt- $49.95, Shoes- $79.95, Sunglasses- $19.95

(TITLE IMAGE: Coat- $149, Blazer- $149, Shirt- $49.95, Bowtie- $29.95, Pants- $59.95 Cap- $19.95, Shoes- $79.95)

Lanvin for H&M

Yes it looks girly, but don't be fooled. The upcoming collaboration between the chic French house Lanvin and the Swedish fast fashion power H&M will also include a host of men's clothing designed by Lanvin's Lucas Ossendrijver. If you haven't yet, take a look at Lanvin's menswear presentation for Fall 2010 either online, or even better, in store (I suggest Bergdorf for the best selection). Embelished tees, intricate biker jacket meets car coats, and sharply tailored dresswear abound. Hopefully Ossendrijver has enough creative freedom to do something along the same lines.

The collection will be unveiled November 2nd and released on November 23rd.

Fall Buy - Barneys, Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman

Earlier this week I hit my three favorite B's (Barney's, Bergdorf, Bloomingdales) for you guys in search of the best buys for Fall 2010. This fall will be all about the play on workwear and military inspired garments mixed with lush knits. I've tried to find garments that are not too trendy and will give you the most wear for their price.

Barneys:

My trip to Barneys began and ended with my search for the perfect toggle coat. While the classic Barbour or Peter Elliot option is certainly viable, I'm looking for something a little bit more modern, and a little less bulky.

This Gloverall coat was interesting, but still restrained with the exception of the leather panels on the upper chest. At almost $600, I was hesitant.

The search was over, though, when I came across this Oliver Spencer version. Priced at $100 less than the Gloverall (probably the best price in the whole store), this option is much more intriguing (plaid with contrasting brown leather detailing), light, and fitted. Ladies and gentleman, we have a winner! Sorry the picture is quite blurry, but I had to be secretive. Barneys is strict about the whole taking photos thing in case you didn't know.

Bloomingdales:

Bloomingdales has really stepped it up this season. Usually their men's selection is one of three things: extremely basic (they specialize in mountains of Theory, always for sale), incredibly outlandish ($2000 Marc Jacobs vests anyone?), or cheap. I guess I didn't give them enough credit because their fall men's wears are, for the most part, reasonably priced, on trend, and chic. Here are some examples:

John Varvatos Toggle Cardigan (Around $700)

Michael Kors Khaki Jacket with Grey Hoodie Insert (Around $325)

Comme des Garçons Parka ($1,100)

Paul Smith Fair Isle Sweater (Around $275)

Moncler Hidden Hood Parka (Around $780)

I think the John Varvatos sweater is a great statement piece, the Michael Kor's jacket is warm and the perfect take on workwear, the Comme des Garçons parka is full of design details (EX: a plaid patch on the upper back and rich brown leather elbow patches), the Paul Smith sweater is chic and phenomenally priced, and the Moncler coat is comfortable and simple.

Bergdorf Goodman:

BG was pretty dry with the occasional breath-taking piece that I could never afford, though I did manage to find a nice Lanvin scarf (still ridiculous at around $300), and some really cool bracelets.

At the end of the day, I'm going back for the Oliver Spencer Coat, the Paul Smith Sweater, and possibly a Moncler OR the Comme des Garçons jacket. Where the money is coming from for all of these is still a mystery...

UPDATE: A better look at the Comme des Garçons parka courtesy of Trés Bien Shop.

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.

Lanvin - Spring 2011 - Review

Each season Lucas Ossendrijver creates incredibly luxurious and relaxed pieces for the house of Lanvin, and for spring 2010 Mr. Ossendrijver remains on the same sophisticated course. Though he does tweak his vision to incorporate a few trends, much to my disappointment, he also gave the usual casual garments new life through a Japanese/circus inspiration.

Let us start with the trends. The good and the bad. The good: double-breasted blazers. Almost nobody can do an unconstructed double-breasted blazer like Lanvin. Refined, yet casual enough to go from workday to cocktails and not feel overdressed. With sandals, it's the perfect summertime wardrobe. Unfortunately, that is where the good trends end for me this season. In come the knit corsets over sheer sweaters. Reminiscent of what we say at YSL and just as awkward. Also awkward, the tight biker shorts and pants that worked at Moncler, mainly because the models were on a bike track, but also because they weren't suffocating the crotch, causing incredibly uncomfortable bulges, as they are here.

I also feel it is my duty to address the fanny packs that "graced" the runway towards the end of the show. Let's just get one thing straight: they will never look good. Ever. It doesn't matter if they're in the master accessory designer hands of Louis Vuitton of Lanvin, they still look like a bad tourist bag that belongs somewhere deep in Disney World.

Other then that, I enjoyed this collection. I found that the Japanese influence was equal parts subtle and exciting (some of the models looked like the main character from the popular manga series Naruto with their spiked up hair and head bands, but don't feel bad if you don't get that reference). In addition, though not necessarily something I would wear, I did think that the ringleader-stripes on suit jackets and trousers added flair and elongated the silhouette, another trend we saw for spring 2011 in many of the collections in Paris and Milan.

While Lanvin did fall [fashion] victim to a slew bad trends, mostly, this collection emerged as a luxe group of styles that did not sacrifice wearability for thrill and vice-versa.

SPLURGE - Lanvin Sneakers - $734.40

I will probably never own a pair of Lanvin sneakers, but I can dream can't I... Splurge.