VICTOR GLEMAUD: Knows Modern Men

Clean, graphic, fresh, timeless....and NEW.  Victor Glemaud puts sexy into summer .  He has delivered The Look is that is shockingly appropriate.
Above the knee is the new men's mini that is sure to draw attention to the fact that, its very "OK"for a man to look alluring and in some cases, beautiful.
 In regards to heat, for those events where the weather is extreme this season, a neutral palette paired with minimal graphics is a necessary look as well as it is a  charming and debonaire one.

So 60's...so 80's.......so RIGHT NOW!

Fashion @ The French

Venus Williams!  A phenomenal combination of exceptional talent and genetic perfection has propelled this athlete to unheralded heights .  She has been making fashion news while competing for championshps at the highest level in tennis in her own designs.  To speak on her 2009 French Open look (Below), she strolled on to the stage at Roland Garros in one of the season's most talked about trends, the Ikat print. 

A fabric made using an Indonesian decorative technique in which warp or weft threads, or both,  are tie-dyed before weaving.  That makes this kind of fabrication extremely special, and wonderfully mastered as a print.  It is a fantastic stretch forward in activewear campaigns becoming more like RTW apparel.  Venus' clothing line "11" is on the mark for keeping the sport-set in the loop of what is stylish and very "Right Now".

Skull Culture

I was recently asked if skulls were still "in" by a major fashionista seeking out some print direction.  The truth of the matter is that skulls have been a part of design culture for longer than anybody can possibly remember.  They come and go with different brands who venture out once and a while to catch the eye of the consumer who appreciates the tattoo stylings of the "object d'macabre."

There are those who go out and get a tattoo and those who just want one as a fashion accessory in the color of the season.  
A couple years ago it was the thing to do after Ralph Lauren ran a skull print in his home furnishings line.  Once retailers saw that the king of the preppy guard went" street", it was a whirlwind race to see who could get the most creative version of the bare cranium design to market first.
It is a widely recognized symbol of cool and no one who knows anything about style would dare say they are "out" except the trend monsters who participate in the buying frenzies of anything that makes them seem hip.
Skulls are modern relics in pop culture that we love to hate and let's face it.....They aren't going anywhere, anytime soon.

All Screens Available at

www.choiceshirts.com

Put It In The Bag

Summer bags for all occasions bearing prints that express every facet of the season's personality are all up for grabs. Florals, ethnics, geometrics, and vintage favorites will all make places for themselves on the boards for inspiration and optimum trend impact.

Marc Jacobs leads the race with all kinds of goodies at every price point and for every kind of customer. The "Miss Marc" tote (Above) by Marc by Marc is a darling character inspired by the fashionistas of the world. A more complicated fabrication of a heart applique' pattern on the "Andy" tote (Below) strikes a jackpot on the "Must Have" lists of women all over the globe.

Elaine Turner makes a great statement with her "Ring Handle" tote (Above) that bears a funky 60's print rendered with clean bold graphics and colors that pop with vibrancy and eye-catching style.

Juicy Couture is known for their regal crests & heraldic icons, but they chose to switch gears with the chain strap hobo (Above) this season and use an ethnic look called the "Stewart-Inez" print.

Flowers are a season requirement because they connote the feelings of growth, sunshine and of course, SUMMER. Kenneth Cole throws a large scale abstract print in the mix (Above) for a relatively striking floral-like concept.

Design giants like Chloe' and Kate Spade take the flower concept a tad more seriously and initiate more literal interpretations. "Les Jardins" by Chloe' (Above) is a true to life garden scene and "Fairchild Garden" (Below) by Kate Spade depicts a subdued impression of blooming tulips.

If you remember last season's Dooney& Bourke giraffe print that swept the market, then you can appreciate Michale Kors choosing to capitalize on the success and run a very similar rendition on a large shopping tote(Above).

The world is making a commitment to go green and designers are making every effort to correspond with designs that adhere to this principle in both form and function. Orla Kiely delivers a cross-hatch burlap print overlapped with the trademark vine print (above). A very organic feeling is the message delivered by Longchamp with the "Bambou" tote (Below).

Longchamp has very fun and recreational bags this season for both sides of the Atlantic. The cleverly named "It" bag makes the statement all on its' own and a very futuristic bag rocking the name "Xlight Imprime" (Below) is a pixelated pattern that has influenced many brands to follow suit.

Tokidoki is all that is Harajuku and then some. The print is a feeling that is very recognizable as their own and packs a punch on any shaped bag. (Below)

All Available @

NORDSTROM'S

Newly Ruined

Every once in a while a collection of very interesting combinations comes along and awakens our intrigue with the unusual. Miu Mui made a very memorable and noteworthy statement on urban decay this season in Milan with the prints showcased in the Spring 2009 Collection.
Ancient hieroglyphics were the underlying theme of the patterns that were approached from several different perspectives and infused with urban influences. A mosaic technique (Above) gave the dress a regal appearance as if encrusted with individual ceramic tiles.

Some of the prints have a more literal interpretation (Above) and procure elements from a civilization that began with the age of fashion.

Perhaps the most significant was the interpretation of the "Ruins of Europe" being defaced by graffiti tag artists (Above, Below). An unsightly visual that has become common in modern culture and Miu Miu displayed it perfectly with winning and unexpected style as an homage to both art forms.

Let's Go To Bed

When it comes to dressing the bed, even the most stylish of fashion enthusiasts find themselves lost for exactly what will work in terms of texture, pattern and color. Bedding comes in many gauges and classifications from affordability to unsurpassed luxury for every taste level. It's only befitting that one of the world's largest home retailers, Ikea, offers some of the most affordable and appealing choices in the contemporary categories that appeal to both men and women.

The "Andrea Satin " (above) is the very functional stripe variation in a retro color combination that makes a good choice to dress the room up or down.

The "Jorun Vaxt" (Above) offers a more subdued and tonal palette that caters to a more refined and neutral aesthetic.

The "Unni Trad" (Above) is a very versatile ensemble because of the many colors the pattern yields for coordinates. Also, the tye dye effect is great for those who live in the bed or have kids and pets because it is virtually impervious to stains and wear.

The true Scandinavian origin of the design principles at Ikea are always apparent in their presentation of prints throughout the catalog of choices. The "Unni Slinga" (Above) and the "Hedda Blom"(Below) are patterns that are affordable alternatives to other Nordic favorites such Merimekko and Orla Kiely.
The "Kajsa Trad" (Below) is an elementary yet effective color block that provides a botanical motif that brings an organic and calming quality to any room designed around the bed as a focal point.

The "Beata Orkide" (Below) is a batik large scale floral in a universal colorway that epitomizes the balance of a both masculine and feminine look. This technique was mastered by Calvin Klein Home who coined "The Sex and The City" bed, with the hugely successful pattern, "Bamboo Floral."  The Ikea Bedding Collection is definitely a front runner in stylish bedding for the the millennium.

All Available 

www.ikea.com

Connect The Dots

To avoid being cliche and run of the mill when executing dots and stripes in a collection, it is very important to achieve the right scale and color combination. Ann Demeulemeester delivers a winning collection that brings an aire of sophistication to a very relaxed and unconstructed silhouette.
When combining linear geometrics, there is a fine line between eye-catching and optical chaos. Such pairings of this taboo combo were diplayed perfectly at her Spring 2009 show in Paris (Above).

The Dot and the stripe are textile clutch prints when executed properly and based on the fabrication, they can serve as key wardrobe pieces for every season. The neutral base (Above,Below) makes for very wearable items and maintains a clean tailored line that is serious and mature.

Want A New Tattoo?

If you haven't at least heard of the Don Ed Hardy/Christian Audigier tattoo craze that has taken the world by storm then you have been taking a seriously long break from fashion trends. This dynamic empire of lifestyle goods has inspired a movement of ornately embellished items that speak to the mindset of the inner rebel that wants a conversational edge in basic items.

This very popular look has been the wellspring of several look-a-like lines that have surfaced since the brand's meteoric rise to being a celebrity driven style. For several seasons now, Christian Audigier has raised the bar and made the novelty T-shirt (Above) and funky board shorts (Below) more than just a picture screened on a garment.

His style of imaging is easily recognizable and borrows from many forms of graphic art to render designs that are unique and in alignment with the line's objectives. There are comic book and animation references (Above) and 70's vintage concert poster looks (Below) that are very up to date and make for must-have items for the cool & hip.

The image of a skull (below) has become a favorite tattoo symbol with this particular customer base and he has paired it with virtually everything imaginable to keep breathing new life into this ageless icon of danger and revolution.

Available Nordstrom's, Ed Hardy & Christian Audigier Shops

Dress Prints @ J. Crew

The Print Collection on dresses this season @ J.Crew is like a walk through the impressionist gallery at the Louvre in Paris. The florals are dreamy watercolor viewpoints that set the tone for a fantasy escape in Renoir's garden.

1. Abstract watercolor floral


2. Indigo dip-dye

3. Rosette applique

4. Country calico floral

5. Organic botanical floral

Accessory Highlights:

Patchwork beach tote

Floral ballet flat

ALL AVAILABLE @ WWW.JCREW.COM