The importance of being the best

"The twentieth century looms before us big with the fate of many nations,"  "If we stand idly by, if we seek merely swollen, slothful ease and ignoble peace, if we shrink from the hard contests where men must win at hazard of their lives and at the risk of all they hold dear, then the bolder and stronger peoples will pass us by, and will win for themselves the domination of the world." - Theodore Roosevelt, 10 April 1899.

if i could marry a shoe....

I like how this shoe reminds me of the early 1900's, but with a new school feel. The antiquity look of the leather. Even the color is reminiscent of that era.

again pearls...

beauty on a stick. It like a hot dog for the skinny.

prim and proper...ish

simple dress with a subtle detail on the neck line, great posture, ladylike pose, elegant pearls, such a proper looking woman,... the cigarette seems contradictory to me cause I imagine her leading ettiquette training at an elite academy.

music

This picture attracted me because I like the inward curving on the sides. The music it plays could be graceful. I hear smooth notes coming from this. You just focus in on it. The details are classic for the instrument but this view really makes you appreciate them.

My hood

Everyone in my neighbourhood has multiple vehicles, parked in the driveway of multimillion dollar homes in which you never see them come and go from. They seem to compete with each other to be the envy of their own society. Finely dressed, every thing looks prim and proper... always. Cars are washed, suits are drycleaned, and gardening is done, but by the gardener of course, cause my neighbours hands have never seen dirt in her whole life. does this paint a picture?

Setting the Mood....

So I have been instructed to write thoughts, post pictures, and basically jot down sparatic thoughts of my inspirations.... I think. So the next few bits may not make sense... but bare with me, I am exploring my brain. ( trust me this wont take long haha)

Still Harry

Dark brown details on wool jacket represent leather.

Leather shoulder details on cardigan, brown pants are suede. Black vest is topstitched with thin strips of leather.  

Grey suite is edged with leather piping as details around pocket and cuff plackets. Grey cotton twill trouser have leather belt loops and pocket edging.

Harry Rosen

My inspiration for my Harry Rosen collection was a picture of lady in leather shorts. This picture stuck out for me because I associate leather with Harley Davidson’s, and big burly men on motorcycles with bad attitudes as that is part of the typical fabric in a biker’s wardrobe.  Bikers wear leather for protective reasons, but it is commonly associated with a “tough guy” look as most times they are travelling in groups that have frequently been defined as “gangs” in modern culture. The leather shorts certainly give the outfit a sleek and suspiciously hardcore feel because she portrays a genuine ladylike appearance here, with black suede, intricately detailed stilettos featuring satin ribbons tied in bows.  She does not at all look like she just jumped off the back of a hog. To me, it represents a rebellion in her outfit. She is portraying an classy, elegant woman with details of femininity in her wardrobe such as her diamond earrings and the satin bows, but they are baffled by unexpected, boxy, heavy weight leather shorts.

In the next picture, I am supporting the leather theme, with a current part of the 2010 fall Hermes collection. This supports the need for a leather item to keep with current trends. The rugged simplistic style of each jacket, still speaks volumes about the personality that the designer is creating on the wearer. Even though the finished look on the model is elegant and charming the underlying basis was to give a “rock star” vibe to a contemporary outfit. Paired with a tailored pair of slacks that are lightweight and reminiscent of suiting or work attire, it gives the gentleman a harder edge to his look.

 

 

Here is another example of the leather trend in an act of persuading the cultivated industry look, this time to reproduce a feeling of military dominance. Burberry 2010 Fall collection, has the man looking equipped for the outdoors with his oversized double collared Sherpa lined jacket encasing his dress pant and fitted cardigan, and matching to his unrefined worn-in leather work boot. This picture is proving his want to feel in charge, like a commander in a military squadron. I feel all of the looks that I have described are professional with rebellious attitude.

I want to incorporate a structured detail into a mans wardrobe, for his day to day life. I want to emblify the rebellion of the “tough guy” or possible alter-ego of the 9-5 professional polished lifestyle he feels subject to abide by. He still needs to be taken seriously as he plays an acknowledged role in his lifestyle, but he feels the want to have a bit of a dangerous appeal. Leather details throughout his wardrobe will give the garments a bit of an edge, without making him feel too misplaced in his environment.

In support of my idea, I have done some research into the seasonal trends supporting that leather will be a forecasted trend for fall/winter 2010/2011. It’s reigning on the runways in the forms of button up shirts, leather leggings and fine thin leather in the form of a spring styled tank top. To keep with the sustainability practices today, leather manufacturers are being eco friendly and using all natural vegetable tanning products for the leather, that actually improve the leathers look as it ages. Companies such as Brave Leather have caught on to this trend, and it has improved their popularity as they are keeping in stride with economic values, which are greatly important to our consumers nowadays.

Harry Rosen by Nicole

Harry Rosen

Harry Rosen is a menswear store with a variety of brands that are all targeted towards a 38 year old man. Although many males between the ages of 15 to 95 have adopted the fashions in the store. The Harry Rosen man is a corporate gentleman who works in a business/office environment and wants his wardrobe to say "upscale menswear" because he needs to be taken seriously through his clothing as he could hold the job of a Lawyer, CEO or entrepneur. Those positions hold the need to demand respect, and this could be identified through clothing.

The Rosen client also requires other needs as a consumer. On the weekends he would be found at the yacht club or possibly tossing around the rugby ball with his old scholars from university. He enjoys outdoors and travelling in his spare time but wants keep his elegant and sophisticated appearance while dressing down. Collared rugby shirts and Polo's will still mimmick the office collar, khakis and fitted denims in slim or boot cut styles will maintain the polished look for his lifestyle.

His accesories include assorted ties for the office, scarves, tailored gloves, and assorted bags, including briefcases and fine travel luggage so that even in an airport he can be distinguished as a corporate man, because his outerwear is all reminiscint of the fine suits that he sports during the work week in his profession.

The classics....

Three's a crowd? Not today! We dont need to describe this as fashion, but it certainly is classic... I dont mean the T-shirt or the unfortunate case of shoes going on here, but i will refer to the best reason for the game of golf....

the Polo shirt. I have to admit, its possibly the only reason I would swing a golf club in soggy grass on a Sunday. Everyone loves a polo, it was in fashion ten years ago, it was in style yesterday, and it will be in tomorrow. And yes, as much as it hurts some of you, even in yellow.....

Riding on the back of Fashion

Hot on the street....  straight from the ranch? Nope! However, this svelte, city girl has an equestrian hint to her urban look. From the white tee and jeggings that resemble common riding gear to her oversize bag that compliments her matching faux riding boots. Mix it up with an animal print cashmere blend scarf and stylish blazer and you've got lasting style...

Fad.... not bad!

Keeping atop... but not for long!! This lovely belle from a West Vancouver neighbourhood is in harem pants, and leather cuff bracelets. Her one shoulder top and cute black flats, with little bows atop have worked the mall world for months.... Been there, done that, seen enough thanks! She's hoping for fab, but fallen in fad..... Like my mom says, good thing you've got a pretty smile sweetheart :)