PRADA’S BIG SPRING
In honor of Prada’s upcoming IPO at the end of June we take a closer look at their bold Spring/Summer 2011 men’s campaign shot by Willy Vanderperre. The choice of model Clement Chabernaud, who could easily be seen walking the streets of London, Rome or Hong Kong, reflects upon the companies desire to appeal to the international financial community it covets, albeit a dashing, highly sophisticated one. With the IPO expected to generate 2 Billion, the timing of this bold, confident campaign could not be better.
ADIOS LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
LCD Soundsystem will perform it’s last concert this Saturday April 2nd at Madison Square Garden. They’ll most likely have an obligatory reunion tour in 10 years and it won’t be so bad, as the group relies on heavy electro-pop sound that can mask their fading voices. Still, the group produced three strong albums and step away while on top. There’s something admirable to that.
PRADA SET TO TAKE KEY FIRST STEP TOWARDS IPO
PRADA SET TO TAKE KEY FIRST STEP TOWARDS IPO. All indications point to Prada filing in Honk Kong tomorrow, Friday, with the official listing planned for end of June. [REUTERS]
VERSACE GETS ITS SWAGGER BACK
Good news coming out of Milan’s slickest fashion house, as Versace posts an operating profit for the first time after heavy restructuring. You can tell there is a decidedly different direction just by looking at the Spring/Summer 2011 campaign shot by Mario Testino. Dare we say it even has a note of seriousness to it? Gone are the bright neon blues, 80′s hair and non-commercial silhouettes that even a Hollywood rocker would consider risque. The Journal gives the full picture, including this choice quote from Versace boss Gian Giacomo Ferraris on the positive news: “We are building muscle for the future.” [WSJ]
MENSWEAR GROWS UP
MENSWEAR GROWS UP. If you have yet to discover the magazine “How to Spend It” from the Financial Times, time to start reading. [FT]
SPERRY 75th ANNIVERSARY TOP-SIDER
This is a shoe we can’t get enough of. The 75th Anniversary Sperry CVO Top-Sider. Wear is anywhere. Appropriately priced at $75. A classic All American, JFK-inspired boat shoe.
5 COLORFUL BUCKS
5 COLORFUL BUCKS. One of our favorites, Bruce Pask of the Times, highlights neo-traditional suede bucks. [NYT]
THE CHUKKA BOOT
THE MUST HAVE SPRING BOOT. We remember our Chukka’s a bit more rugged and less boat shoe inspired. [WSJ]
MONSTER BEAT HEADPHONES
If you were to create a list of the most popular trends in the first half of 2011, Monster Beat Headphones by Dr. Dre would be at the top. Part Air Jordan, part Pioneer, the unmistakable “b” logo is donned by seemingly every athlete, from the entire St. Johns basketball team looking fly coming off the bus in matching sweat suits, to Lebron James strutting through the back halls of American Airlines Arena.
This is super-smart branding at it’s best. You know the people at Sony and Panasonic are kicking themselves for not being smarter and jumping on a celebrity, for not creating a highly recognized, consistent logo and for not getting the key players in their head gear.
Once a brand takes over it’s category with a killer trend, the game is essentially over. The High Definition “Studio” model shown above will set you back $349.
HUGO BOSS TO STEER CLEAR OF ACQUISITIONS
HUGO BOSS TO STEER CLEAR OF ACQUISTIONS. Bucking trend, Hugo Boss to hold tight on acquiring fashion brands.[REUTERS]
AMERICAN EAGLE FRAYED KHAKI SHORTS
Cool spring khaki’s from American Eagle. A great deal at only $39. Pair ‘em up with white canvas Jack Purcell sneakers and a gray v-neck tee.
MARCUS SAMUELSSON’S KILLER STYLE
MARCUS SAMUELSSON’S KILLER STYLE. The super chef throws it together with vibrant abandon. [IHT]
HERMES ARION CABAS TRAVEL BAG
This bag costs $3,300. It is made primarily of canvas. It has to be Hermes. It would be fun to spend ten minutes with an employee in some fancy shop in Paris, show genuine interest in making a purchase and have him walk you through why this bag is so cool. The fact that it wouldn’t be such a tough sell to many people is why LVMH’s Bernard Arnault lusts over Hermes. We’ll stick with this classic L.L. Bean tote, at $3,275 cheaper.
SUCKER PUNCH HITS THEATERS
Sucker Punch opens in theaters today and will likely crush it at the box office this weekend. From a visual stand point the trailers look promising, but then again so did “The Watchmen” and that didn’t come close to capturing the intensity of the original graphic novel. This film stands out in an otherwise messy category, with Ryan Reynolds looking ridiculous as the Green Lantern and Chris Hemsworth looking more like an underwear model than thuggish, brooding Thor.
THE EVOLUTION OF ANNA
THE EVOLUTION OF ANNA. 10 images of the powerful Ms. Wintour. Her public facade changes from glowing to demure sometime between 1991 and 1995. [WSJ]
HEDI TO DESIGN AGAIN?
HEDI TO DESIGN AGAIN? It’s anyone’s guess; an update on one of fashion’s brightest talents. [GUARDIAN]
HAPPY SOCKS
Swedish based company Happy Socks has been spinning out bold sock designs since the spring of 2008. Their mission to “turn an everyday essential into a colorful design item and spread happiness” seems to be working. Now in over 40 countries, they’re hitting at the right moment.
The colorful, look-at-me sock trend has been going strong for a few years now and may owe some of it’s momentum to the decline of the tie. To add some personality to your look, they’re a super cheap option at just $10. For a huge selection, check out Bloomingdale’s.
REVIEW: T MAGAZINE MENS SPRING FASHION
THE DETAILS
Cover: Shot by Richard Burbridge, Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants, wearing his own hat and tee shirt. Why you wouldn’t put him in something great, is a mystery.
Total Ad Pages: 74
Opening Spreads (in order): Louise Vuitton, Hermes, Calvin Klein Collection, Giorgio Armani, Bloomingdale’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Canali, Bergdorf Goodman, Jack Victor, Tallia Orange.
Biggest Category After Fashion: Watches (6)
Back Cover: Chanel
Best Section: “Remix” – A great blend of photography and short pieces, although we could do without the “Leopard Lace” trend.
Biggest Obsession: Rock Stars – From the “Face” grooming piece featuring The Strokes to the “Ballad of a Thin Man” story featuring skinny, (and wrinkled) “Godfathers of Glam:” Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Nick Cave, Dave Gahan, Ray Davies, Brian Ferry and Michael Stipe. Going black and white on this shoot was a good call. The issue ends with a piece on Lil B titled “Back to Cali.”
Late to the Game: “Model Fight Club” – this story has been around forever. New York Magazine reported on it way back in May of 2009.
Best Fashion:“Gangs of New York” – fashion you can relate to, shot on great looking guys. The graphics and fonts could be spruced up a bit.
Worst Fashion: “Leaping Lapels” – Four guys described as “Laid Back Dudes” – jump around LA looking anything but. The jumping in the air thing should be reserved for an in-studio shoot for Vogue, and even then it can be painful. Whether they’re hopped up on energy drinks, taking part in a Ken Kesey’s acid test reunion or just high on life, the fashion and clothing gets lost.
Best Article: “Expatriate Games” – fascinating story on Josh Winters by Josh Winters.
Overall Thoughts: The issue speaks to a narrow group of men, we’re unsure who they are. Fashion insiders? Rockers? West coast surfers? Quite possibly editors, wanting to be edgy. You can only wonder what Miuccia Prada’s reaction would be upon seeing Iggy Pop twisted up in one of her incredible suits. Probably appreciation, as she is a patron of the art world and gets it, but you still have to wonder.
TOD’S 2011 FORECAST
TOD’S GOING STRONG. The world’s 4th-biggest footwear maker by market value is getting a lot of love (and money) from the U.S. and Asia. [REUTERS]
A LOOSER LOOK FOR TROUSERS
A LOOSER LOOK FOR TROUSERS. We’re doubtful this trend will unseat the modern flat front. [WSJ]
