The H&M Tease

So like, H&M, who are coming to Australia some time soon, have decided to titillate the market place with a new teaser campaign for their  Autumn 2010 collection.

In video form, it’s made its rounds on youtube and we like … very arty, gorgeous fab!

Want to see what we’re rabbiting on about? Watch it here:

So what’s behind the tease?

Well, could it be H&M’s next designer collaboration with Lanvin, one of the killah fashion brands of the 21st century?

Apparently Lanvin’s artistic director Alber Elbaz, and menswear designer Lucas Ossendrijver, are behind the collection going on sale on November 23 in around 200 H&M stores worldwide. The collection of both womenswear and menswear will be revealed to the world on November 2, just three weeks before the clothes hit the store, making the launch of Lanvin for H&M among the most anticipated fashion events of the year.

H&M’s current look & feel

Since joining Lanvin as artistic director in 2001, Alber Elbaz has transformed the Paris-based label, founded in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin, into a fashion powerhouse bursting with ideas and creativity. Alber Elbaz has pioneered there some of the biggest trends of the past decade – ribbon, bows, pearls, raw edges, sumptuous colour and metallic embellishment among many others. Alber Elbaz has a mastery of cut and an instinct for cloth which leaves a very personal signature on his work, ensuring that all Lanvin clothes are instantly recognizable. Since the introduction of a new menswear line in 2006, Alber Elbaz has also transformed the male wardrobe, bringing a relaxed elegance to men’s clothing which is as special as the womenswear.

Lanvin is the latest brand to collaborate with H&M, with previous collections designed by the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garçons and Sonia Rykiel. In a new twist, the Lanvin for H&M collection will be revealed to the world through a special film which will be launched on November 2. The film will be available for all to see online at www.hm.com. Following the film’s debut, it will be just three weeks before customers have the chance to get their hands on a covetable piece of Lanvin for H&M.

We wait with bated breath … ok no we don’t, we’ve got lives, but we’ll be watching for sho’!!!

For more H&M Designer Collaboration Videos visit H&M’s Youtube page, and to see the latest and greatest from their showroom, visit www.hm.com.

Watch this space!

What is it about the watch? The time piece, the arm jewelry? Is it the weight that locks around your wrist? The ability to snap your wrist out to view the time when a lady asks politely for it? Is it a statement to other men in the office that your selection of watch represents the level of education, knowledge and style that you have? Do you wear it tightly, or loosely? Do you have a few or many? Are you a collector?

Many many questions, that prompt many many styles, shapes, brands, innovations and jewels. Whatever the case, the wrist watch is a statement. It’s a man’s jewelry when he wears no other piece. So, if you’re modest, and there are no rings, earrings, neck pieces, accessories than the watch matters more than ever. And we all know how naked we feel without it!

The first watches were made of elaborate iron work, took up to a year to make, and would cost roughly $2,000 in today’s money to buy. They were also very big.

Over the next hundred or so years, additional improvements took the design of watches further. Another internal wheel was added, soon to be followed by other mechanical advances.

In America, the first industrialized watches were made, with replicable parts. One watches parts could be removed and replaced with a standard piece. This dramatically improved the quality and use of watches.

In modern times, watches can seem somewhat old-fashioned, compared to cell-phones and other advanced technology. They are still masterpieces of engineering, however, and are recognized as adding class and elegance

So we’ve snapped up a couple of time pieces that caught our eye. They are silver, blue and brown. Very masculine and strong colours that will give confidence to the wearer – and a raised eyebrow to the onlooker.

Do you like?

Alkemy’s Chemistry!

MSP Spotlight : Edgy Menswear Design : A mix of sci, phi & magic, Alkemy is a versatile brand that fulfills a guy’s needs for any occasion, focusing on simplicity with a touch of uniqueness, providing staple styles that have a true fit without sacrificing complete comfort.

Proof is in the puddin’ and the Cali based clothier is steadily winning fans day-by-day, including celeb flossers like rapper Lil Wayne, musos a la Linkin Park, actors Sean Faris (Vampire Diaries), Rick Malambri (Criminal Minds) and daytime soap star Casey Jon Deidrick (Days of our Lives).

Alkemy’s philosophy is understanding and appreciating that each man is committed to being an individual. The science of the brand is found in its innovative fabrics and great fit, and the magic? Well, that’s in the eyes of the beholder!

Alkemy’s 2010 fall collection features pieces that range from graphic tees to blazers to dress pants, all of which feature clean tailoring and impeccable details, ensuring the power and sleekness of Alkemy is seen and felt when dressed. All of these styles are also versatile and beyond comfortable— with unique details like side cargo pockets, ultra-breathable fabric and a wide variety of cuts and fits.

Alkemy – we like. Wear it and hopefully when you do, you’ll be celebrating your individuality and unique strength. That’s alot of pressure to put on your threads, but then again, how you wear what you wear (‘tude) is all a state of mind.

MSP is all about encouraging you  gents out there to find your true self; we just don’t recommend any old crap. Alkemy away and meditate on this from Paul Coehlo’s groundbreaking magical tale : “… Alchemists spent years in their laboratories, observing the fire that purified the metals. They spent so much time close to the fire that gradually they gave up the vanities of the world. They discovered that the purification of the metals had led to a purification of themselves.” – The Alchemist.

www.alkemyclothing.com

Have a look at Alkemy’s fall collection right here:

Dunhill: A proper British tradition

Mad dogs and Englishmen might go out in the midday sun, but they only did so properly dressed – the Englishmen, that is.

British style has always been quintessentially proper, minimalist, understated, impeccable and extremely functional. For the war cause, they gave us the pith helmet, for the white hunter came the long-sleeved safari jacket, leather elbow patches were reserved for the twee English missionary and the colonial soldier sported khaki shorts reaching below the knee and high, thick socks no matter the weather: heatwave, snowstorm or monsoon.

They also proffered unto us great wardrobe staples as the trench coat, the blazer, silk ties, the pin striped suit, the cravat, the bowler hat and the classic linen suit for those warmer climes. They’re the pioneers of bespoke tailoring a la Savile Row and the protectors of traditions such as the tartan, the Scottish kilt and the exclusive, wood and leather institutions of discreet, members-only clubhouses tucked away in London’s genteel corners.

All very proper, refined and respectable. Which is why one of the most famed brands of the British style tradition has been Dunhill – a decent, solid and all together suitable British product steeped in history, uprightness and old world charm.

In 1907, after he inherited his father’s saddlery business on London’s Euston Road, a certain Mr Alfred Dunhill opened his first tobacco shop on Duke Street, London.

Before the Cuban Revolution, Dunhill enjoyed numerous distribution and marketing agreements with several Cuban cigar manufacturers, selling exclusive and hard to find brands such as Don Cándido and Dunhill’s own Selección Suprema line, with various sizes from many famous cigar makers such as Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta.

Consequently Dunhill became famous as the tobacconist of choice for George VI and the prodigious cigar smoker Sir Winston Churchill. A popular legend tells that when the Dunhill store on Jermyn Street was destroyed in the London Blitz, Dunhill employees called Sir Winston at four o’ clock at night to assure him his private collection of cigars (which he kept in the store’s humidor) had been relocated beforehand to safety. How mannerly!

As England’s demand for automobiles grew, Dunhill also identified the need for car frills and thingamabobs and he developed a line of accessories called “Dunhill’s Motorities”. This first collection included car horns and lamps, leather overcoats, goggles, picnic sets and timepieces and was pitched under the slogan “Everything But The Motor”.

After the Cubans revolted, Dunhill’s unique relationship with Cuban cigars would continue with the communist government’s tobacco monopoly, Cubatabaco. Dunhill was given the exclusive rights to three different brands: Don Cándido, its own Don Alfredo, and La Flor del Punto, plus the numerous Selección Suprema sizes produced by the marques that had survived nationalization. Methinks the British cigar afficianados in the corridors of powers smoothed that deal along, avoiding international fervour and securing their source of cigar nirvana.

Over time however, the tobacco business was sold to the worldwide conglomerate, BAT, and the Dunhill brand concentrated on men’s luxury leather goods, writing implements, lighters, timepieces, fragrances and clothing.

Dunhill also occasionally provided various accessories for the James Bond film series; the association commencing in 1962 began when the production team requested a gunmetal cigarette lighter for Sean Connery’s introduction in Dr. No.

In recent times, Dunhill has brought to life the British club culture in London, Shanghai and Tokyo and of late, Hong Kong; creating a series of retail emporiums for men. The ‘Homes of Alfred Dunhill’ aim to represent the experience of luxury, allowing the customer to live the brand and become part of its legacy.

Each store features consummately British menswear and accoutrements as well as Dunhill’s range of luxury fragrances, leather bags and briefcases, casual wear collection. There’s also a range of services which include a bespoke tailoring service, barber’s shop, fine wine cellars, bar or restaurant, screening room and spa.

The newly opened Hong Kong store features a luxury Restaurant & Bar (Alfie’s by Kee), designed as an exclusive local destination for the Hong Kong’s VIPs, dignitaries and the wealthy. Decorated in dark woods and leather, Alfie’s serves only the very best of real British fare. Also located on the same floor is the oldest Britain wine and spirit merchant Berry’s Fine Wine Reserve by Berry Bros. & Rudd. It houses 32 wine bins and purchase is by invitation only.

Ah, where would we be without Brit style? Still in the dark deep ages methinks or at least in boring pantaloons and oversized, badly fit clothing. We are grateful for this once powerful empire, now reduced to a mere Isle, for their stylish fortitude, excellence and bespoke attention to detail. To us at MSP the British gent, attired in his tweeds and bowler hat, is one jolly good fellow!

We leave you with Noel Coward’s ode to the colonial Englishman’s style. Enjoy.

Mad Dogs and Englishmen (Noel Coward)

In tropical climes there are certain times of day
When all the citizens retire,
to tear their clothes off and perspire.
It’s one of those rules that the biggest fools obey,
Because the sun is much too sultry and one must avoid
its ultra-violet ray
Papalaka-papalaka-papalaka-boo.
Digariga-digariga-digariga-doo.

The natives grieve when the white men leave their huts,
Because they’re obviously, absolutely nuts –
Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.

The Japanese don’t care to, the Chinese wouldn’t dare to,
Hindus and Argentines sleep firmly from twelve to one,
But Englishmen detest a siesta,
In the Philippines there are lovely screens,
to protect you from the glare,
In the Malay states there are hats like plates,
which the Britishers won’t wear,
At twelve noon the natives swoon, and
no further work is done –
But Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.

It’s such a surprise for the Eastern eyes to see,
that though the British are effete,
they’re quite impervious to heat,
When the white man rides, every native hides in glee,
Because the simple creatures hope he will
impale his solar topee on a tree.
Bolyboly-bolyboly-bolyboly-baa.
Habaninny-habaninny-habaninny-haa.

It seems such a shame that when the English claim
the earth That they give rise to such hilarity and mirth -
Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.

The toughest Burmese bandit can never understand it.
In Rangoon the heat of noon is just what the natives shun.
They put their scotch or rye down, and lie down.
In the jungle town where the sun beats down,
to the rage of man or beast,
The English garb of the English sahib merely gets a bit more creased.
In Bangkok, at twelve o’clock, they foam at the mouth and run,
But mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.

Mad Dogs and Englishmen, go out in the midday sun.
The smallest Malay rabbit deplores this stupid habit.
In Hong Kong, they strike a gong, and fire off a noonday gun.
To reprimand each inmate, who’s in late.
In the mangrove swamps where the python romps
there is peace from twelve till two.
Even caribous lie down and snooze, for there’s nothing else to do.
In Bengal, to move at all, is seldom if ever done,
But mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.

The Quintessential Englishman; Paul Smith

I must say I love Paul Smith. From the logo to the colours, to the designs of his ranges – he is the quintessential Englishman. The typography of his written name (which by the way is everywhere on his product), is involving and present. The ‘less is more’ feel to his casual wear suddenly is lit up by the insides of jackets that are candy-striped or printed with eclectic images of cars, strips or flowers. Maybe even cameras. But the world of colour vs minimal palettes is where this man wants to be.  And the world agrees with him.

Smith left school at the age of 15, a member of Beeston Road Club his only ambition was to become a racing cyclist until his father hauled him off to work at a clothing warehouse. Smith had no real interest in his work during his first two years there except for the cycle journey to and from his home. A terrible cycling accident put an end to his cycling ambitions, and it was only then that Smith’s career in fashion design began. Six months in hospital followed and during this time Smith made some new friends. After leaving hospital he arranged to meet them all at a local pub that was popular with art students. It was then that Paul Smith knew he wanted to be part of this colourful world of ideas and excitement.

From then to today, Paul Smith invests into 12 different collections; They cover menswear, womenswear, jeans, Paul Smith London, R.Newbold (Japan only), accessories, shoes, fragrance, watches, pens, furniture, Paul Smith rugs, china, spectacles, the famous pinstripe suiting, and ‘things’.

Things. It totally rocks that Paul Smith just makes ‘things’. There’s no effort, no pretense, he just makes… ‘things’. I guess this is the point where I got it. That seasons and fashion trends and the need for ‘it’s so hot right now’ fell right off the cutting table in this world we call Fashion. Because Paul Smith is just doing what he loves, making what he likes, approving what fits his eye for design, in the world that permits him to express.

So from the HQ of MenStylePower, we give you permission men of the world, to start breathing in the new ‘you’ by having the courage to recognise what resonates with you. So – Enjoy this short lil’ blog with images of Paul’s latest collection off the runways. Get inspired!

Kickin’ it with Gucci!

This a quick one – we love the new Gucci Men’s 2010 sneaks and slip-on range. Each piece of exquisite leather footwear is a creation with some serious ‘tude! … and we’re all for encouraging our MSP fans to shine in them.

There’s something about the range’s neutral colours and clean lines that just scream elegance and sporty style that’ll go DOWN real well in your wardrobe.

The best place to buy them on the web – www.shoesshoe.com AND the one stop shop for designer shoes and accessories online – www.raffaello-network.com. And of course there’s always your trusty Gucci Store or designer outlet.

Rock ‘em with jeans & a T, or cargo pants & a sweater OR how about with an elegant blazer over pants for a semi formal occasion?

Enjoy kickin’ it with Gucci gentlemen! Step! – The Stylemeister!

Icarus Store

There’s a massive stirring in the city of Sydney. Pitt Street Mall is full of construction & noise, day in, day out. You would imagine this to be off-putting for the local Sydney-Sider but the opposite seems to be happening. Instead of foot traffic slowing and stores reporting decreased sales, we’re seeing the general public’s insatiable curiosity leading them into ‘almost finished shops’ with glaring 50-70% off sale signs.

Just like kittens, these shoppers are tenderly making their way through the new shops of Lend Lease and Westfield (still yet to be opened) as Pitt Street Mall takes a face-lift. It’s been in the making for many years, and while the 2 giants go head to head in a Jurassic tug of war trying to entice consumers, we have a subtle yet more tailored call to the design district of Sydney, known as Surry Hills.

This understated design district has a new player called The Icarus Store. Now if you didn’t know, in Greek mythology, Icarus, is the son of the master craftsman Daedalus. The main story of Icarus is about his intent to escape Crete by means of wings constructed by his father. He ignored instructions not to fly too close to the sun, and thus, feel to his death. What I love about this character, is he dared to be great. He also was innovative, larger than life, and thought outside the square.

Which takes us to Nathan. Not unlike the character named – Neo out of the Matrix, Nathan knew there was something else to his life than an office job. In a moment of true revelation, and while on a holiday in New York City, Nathan started to see retail as a way to serve young men (in his home town of Sydney) in their efforts to look different, feel confident and have a more unique and quality driven wardrobe. So, with the help of his friends in creative and high places, Nathan stuck a deal with various unknown yet splendid labels and brands and planted them in Reservoir Street in Surry Hills.

Now this story may not be for everyone, as it’s localised. But remember, we have international products in this store.

Take ‘CB I hate perfume’ for instance. After four years with Kiehl’s USA, Christopher Brosius set out to make perfume on his own in 1992. Since then, he has won four Fragrance Foundation awards and been nominated for many others. Christopher opened the I Hate Perfume gallery in Williamsburg in 2004. The name reveals his disdain for overpowering department store perfume brands and their use of alcohol as a base for fragrance. His oil and water based perfumes have their own story to tell and capture a very special sense of place or experience. Each perfume is carefully compounded, blended and bottled by hand in his gallery workshops. We love it!

Then look at Loden Dager. This is a menswear collective based in New York designed chiefly by two Marc Jacobs alumni, Oliver Helden and Paul Marlow. Loden Dager debuted in 2006 with a rigorously unadorned collection of shirts, jackets, and pants. As the label has gained a loyal following — plus an Ecco Domani award and a partnership with Uniqlo — it has grown more adventuresome with its fabrications and influences. With a nod to a bygone era, Loden Dager’s designs echo fashion’s grey area between the masculine 1940’s, the mod 1960’s and the hippie 1970’s. The result is a sophisticated and approachable wardrobe for the student, worker, activist and everyman.

Swedish-born Patrik Ervell received a political science degree from UC Berkeley and fell into design after working as an editor at V magazine. Ervell saw a gap in the market and launched his own menswear collection in 2005. His designs are heavily influenced by the military and classic American sportswear, carefully tailored with luxurious touches. Ervell has received widespread acclaim for his minimal aesthetic and creative use of utilitarian materials, highlights include winning the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award in 2007 and being a runner-up in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2009. Check out the home page! http://www.patrikervell.com/ It’s totally innovative.

It was ridiculously hard to move throughout the store at the opening of Icarus. The environment design, which as you all know either repels or attracts the side street consumer, was understated and subtle, yet inviting. Masculine to a tee without taking sides of the ‘too dandy’ or the ‘too lumber jack’, we found Icarus to be modest, intelligent and savvy. The supportive crowd chattered and silently coded a nod of approval, as Nathan carefully selected the right ambient lighting, the right music and the right display of product. Even the accidentally broken bottle of ‘CD I hate perfume’ ended up wafting through the store making this another sensory experience for the opening launch crowd.

Icarus Store is located at 42 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills.

www.icarusstore.com – head over on a Saturday to chat to Nathan and his girlfriend Karen, who go beyond retail and actually take pride in customer service.

Africa rocks ubersexycool: Stingo’s emerging style

Stingo – A word from the Kenyan slang lexicon a la 80’s meaning “style”. (Today it’s more than that, it’s “ubersexycool”).

Stingo – A collaboration of style and creativity and a collective of 5 young, happening and highly talented Kenyans; a stylist, a fashion designer, a makeup artist, a photographer and a production whiz.

Stingo is a crazymadfun approach to fashion, style, photography, film, makeup and models a la Afrique – and the Stingo project is a means for these young, up and coming professionals to learn, experiment and one day launch African style into the stratosphere.

Their style mantra is practical: Given the lack of Prada stores and a severe shortage of Louboutin heels, Balenciaga bags and A&F outlets in Africa, stylists in the developing world are more creative, more street and more innovative than their counterparts in the rest of the world – for them to create spreads and shots like those on this page, the most realistic thing to do is to mix it up and be uber creative.

In African cities like Nairobi, Stingo’s stylists trawl the large number of open air markets hawking second hand clothes from Dubai and Asia alongside mangoes, potatoes and piles of cucumbers. At the famous Ngara, Toi to Gikomba markets, they find treasures in bags and boxes overflowing with castoffs from the first world (one person’s rejects is another’s new look). They then mix it up with new threads from emerging African designers such as Toi and accessorize with pieces from Kazuri or Mr. Price and … VOILA!!!  The pics you see are proof of their very kick ass Afro style puddin’!

According to The Stingo Collective, in Africa … “this is how we dress”. And we at MSP love the results. Good work, kids … one day Nairobi, next day NYC & Milan!!!

‘The Stingo’ are:

Styling: Kepha Maina and Sunny Dolat
Makeup/Grooming: Kangai Mwiti * (special mention as she’s somehow related to The Stylemeister!!)
Photography: Jim Chuchu
Production: Lucille Kahara

Taste their African style flava: TheStingo.com, facebook.com/TheStingo & twitter.com/wetastebetter.