Haute Concept

The New Year has kicked off and we’re testing a new format for the 08!

Instead of individual posts for each specific item we are going to round up the happenings of menswear into a single daily post. It is our intention that this new format will allow you to easily scan the round-up of daily events in one post. (If any of you are pissed about this, please feel free to vent and we’ll strive to please everyone in the most democratic way.)

Moving on.

Today is the first Monday of the year, January 7, 2008.

Let’s see what’s going down…

Isaac Mizrahi IS EXPANDING MENSWEAR

Talented designer Isaac Mizrahi is expanding his menswear business with a “two-tier” distribution of product, according to DNR[1]. The NY-born designer will put out a designer collection, Isaac Mizrahi New York and a second line known as Isaac Mizrahi.

According to DNR, “the designer collection, called Isaac Mizrahi New York, suits will retail for $3,000 to $4,000. In the diffusion line, called simply Isaac Mizrahi, suits will go for $800 to $1,200. Upscale department stores with capacity to offer two levels of service could carry both tiers, which are designed to be styled together, according to Isaac Mizrahi president Peter Rizzo.”

We are definitely feeling the fact that Mizrahi will be making menswear clothing “which [is] designed to be styled together”. The mixing and matching of different price points is what is hot and happening in fashion at the moment. The whole high/low styling is being embraced throughout the industry as wealthy consumers who have the luxury of sticking with luxury product exclusively would rather shop at H&M and mix it into their wardrobe. Meanwhile, consumers with a more modest budget are seeking out aspirational products and luxury items to spruce up their wardrobes. The days of wearing one outfit by one designer are over. It is now about mixing and matching. And of course Isaac Mizrahi knows this best as it was he who basically anointed the designer/fast fashion craze with his line for Target.

H&M Launches “Fashion AGAINST AIDS”

Swedish fast-fashion giant H&M has launched a campaign to combat AIDS.

The campaign is an effort to high-light the on-going devastation the disease is causing around the world and in particular to youth with twelve million young people ages 15-24 now infected. It’s always good to see fashion for a cause in this often superficial industry.

H&M is teaming up with artists Rihanna, Chicks on Speed, Good Charlotte, Henrik Vibskov, Jade Jagger, Justice, Katharine Hamnett, My Chemical Romance, Rufus Wainwright, Scissor Sisters, The Cardigans, Tiga, Timbaland and Ziggy Marley.

According to H&M’s website: “The collection comprises T-shirts, tank tops and hooded sweaters. All garments feature a print and the neckline label carries the name of the print designer. Some of the prints are low-key and subtle, and whisper that this is important. Others raise their voice. Katharine Hamnett’s print in big, black, block lettering on a white background shouts “USE A CONDOM!”, while Tiga’s check all-over print calls for quiet reflection. Some of the squares have a different colour and represent all those who have the virus. The idea behind the campaign is summed up by Henrik Vibskov’s print: Be aware - it is still happening.”[2]

And we suggest showing this French AIDS campaign to youth in this country. (NSFW)

STREET SHOTS! TRENDS ON THE STREETS!!!

We love to hit the streets of New York to see the trends that are organically brewing at the moment.

After all, fashion is representative of what’s happening at the moment.

This past weekend in SoHo we noticed a trend of purple taking shape.

Stylish pedestrians were making use of the color in various ways from accenting to boldly bringing it front and center.

 

SNOOP DOGG PIMPS OUT L’UOMO VOGUE

Rapper Calvin Broadus, better known by his moniker, Snoop Doggy Dogg, is featured in L’UOMO VOGUE, the Italian men’s version. Following the current trend, the debonair rapper drops his fitted and jersey for a more becoming tailored look in the December 2007 issue.

DESIGNER PHONES HITTING THE SCENE IN 2008

With the arrival of Dolce & Gabana’s gold Razr phone and Prada’s touch screen mobile phone, it was only a matter of time before other fashion companies referenced their lead.

In 2008 we will see the arrival of two more designer phones.

The first one is from Armani, which comes as no surprise as Giorgio Armani continues to sink his teeth into everything from a hotel in Dubai to decorating you su casa.The Armani phone (4th item down) will be designed in collaboration with Samsung and be touch screen responsive.

Also in the ‘08, we will be seeing watchmaker Tag Heuer hop into the mobile phone game. Their Tag phone (7th item down) is being designed with Modelabs, a French design house.

Look at that pic closely! So far the design is looking extremely innovative and interesting.

And it will sure put a rest to losing your phone or even having to carry multiple accessories.

OSIRIS DROPS BRONX KOI SERIES

Skate shoe maker Osiris plans to release this slick baby in late January. These kicks take inspiration from the Far East, specifically Koi, which are ornamental domesticated varieties of the common carp fish. The Bronx model, the latest in the KOI series, will go for $73.

WHAT IS THE SNEAKER OBSESSION ALL ABOUT?

Since we’re on the subject we’d might as well ask, right?

Streetwear fans and others in our generation understand the value of a good pair of kicks. Collectors of sneakers understand the value even more, be it monetary of sentimental. LTD magazine founder “Hawaii” Mike Salman tells how his obsession grew into a 400 pair collection.

ARE THE MALLS IN AMERICA DYING…A SLOW PAINFUL DEATH???

Just asking ya know? The Luxist apparently thinks so, as does The Economist here, and then there’s that website called deadmalls.com.

Since we live in Manhattan which is basically one big mall we rarely get to these big-box phenoms called malls. We still don’t really understand the point of Manhattan Mall when 34th street is right outside it??? Unless, we’re craving “BOURBON CHICKEN, BOURBON CHICKEN”. You know what we’re talking about!

Anyway, apparently the mall is falling out of flavor in America, the place of it’s birth.

They’re becoming “lifestyle centers”, or outdoor shopping meccas. The enclosed shopping mall is apparently a thing of the past. But for how long?

HOW TO BUY A LUXURY WATCH

Watches have become a status symbol and they are probably the one accessory that all men should have.

But buying a luxury watch can be a bit of a challenge if you don’t know what to look for. You’re not buying a Swatch here, and you don’t want to drop a ton of dough on something you’ll regret, obviously. You want true value in your timepiece.

Ken Grazi, watch expert and partner of luxury watch store KENJO, has written a guide located at Sharp By Design.

The average consumer isn’t familiar with the high-end brands, assuming that Rolex is as good as it gets. But as we learn at Sharp By Design, “true watch connoisseurs, however, would argue that watches such as Rolex or Omega can’t be considered luxury because they are mass produced. Instead, smaller companies that are known only by an enlightened few should qualify as luxury.”

Grazi’s recommendation is to, “Buy what you love. Don’€™t pay attention to price or advertising when choosing your luxury watch. Look instead at the company history, the amount of detail that goes into creating the timepiece, and how many are produced each year. The more limited quantity a company offers, the more you can be assured the true value of your purchase—and then you evolve from being a watch buyer to a watch collector.”

LODEN DAGER BLOGS!

 

Loden Dager, a NY men’s wear collective, have been guest blogging at style blog The Moment hosted over on old gray lady. The gang discusses the daily workings as they prepare for their upcoming Paris and New York runway shows.

MILAN FASHION WEEK

Milan Fashion Week for menswear shows will be kicking off at the end of this week. This will start the madness of the international shows. Oy!

Milan Fashion Week will be Saturday January 12 to Tuesday January 15. See the schedule here.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

10:00 Gaetano Navarra

11:00 C.P. Company

12:00 Costume National Homme

14:00 Jil Sander

15:00 Missoni

16:00 Burberry Prorsum

17:00 Les Hommes Homme

18:00 Gianni Versace

19:00 Romeo Gigli

20:00 Roen

21:00 Denis Simachev

Sunday, January 13, 2008

9:30 Bottega Veneta

10:30 Antonio Marras

11:30 Frankie Morello

12:30 Gianfranco Ferre

13:30 Salvatore Ferragamo

14:30 Vivienne Westwood

15:30 Emporio Armani

16:15 Neil Barrett

17:00 Byblos

17:45 Haute

19:00 Alexander McQueen

20:00 Prada

Monday, January 14, 2008

09:15 Enrico Coveri

10:00 Carlo Pignatelli Outside

11:00 Biagiotti

12:00 Dirk Bikkembergs

13:30 Roberto Cavalli

14:30 John Richmond

15:30 Moschino

16:30 Krizia Uomo

17:30 Gucci

18:30 Alessandro Dell’Acqua

19:30 Giuliano Fujiwara

20:30 Andrew Mackenzie

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

9:30 Marni

10:30 Iceberg

11:30 Dsquared2

12:30 Fendi

13:30 Etro

14:30 Messori

15:30 Giorgio Armani

16:30 Giorgio Armani

17:30 Calvin Klein Collection

18:30 Belstaff

19:30 Gazzarrini

20:30 Evisu

NOTES FROM ALL OVER

Oh look! A designer directory!!!

Oooohhhh! The best sneakers of 2007!!!

The collaboration train takes an interesting turn with Thomas Pink and writer William Boyd teaming up.

Pacific Sun plans on closing it’s 154 D.e.m.o. stores. [subs. req.]